Identifying a green infrastructure to prioritise areas for restoration to enhance the landscape connectivity and the provision of ecosystem services

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(12), P. 3751 - 3765

Published: Nov. 7, 2023

Abstract Introduction Habitat fragmentation is one of the major causes loss biodiversity that our planet experiencing. This has affected ecosystems functioning and, consequently, provision ecosystem services (ES). Therefore, European Commission, in a 2013 communication, established concept Green Infrastructure (GI), which strategically planned network multifunctional areas with aim protecting and ES supply, as well improving ecological connectivity. Ecological restoration an essential element to achieve objectives GI, if targeted, could reverse widespread degradation improve landscape Objective In this study, we propose methodology prioritise restore by identifying GI Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve (UBR), north Iberian Peninsula, where forest plantations exotic species abound. Methods order identify elements (core corridors) integrated multispecies approach based on movement key ES-based multifunctionality. Subsequently, identified sectors connectivity particularly vulnerable (pinch points) using circuit theory. Thus, around pinch points were prioritised for future plans depending their aim: (1) Improve corridors high importance low quality (2) approach, (3) movement. Results The resultant included 36% UBR surface. We 34 three especies 64 approach. 149 ha convert into native 167 Conclusion information be useful organizations institutions carrying out actions recovering forests territory.

Language: Английский

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From Part to Whole: Scale-Dependence Habitat Selection by Snow Leopards (Panthera Uncia)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are regarded as the most charismatic apex predator in alpine Asia, yet their populations under serious threat from human activities and habitat fragmentation. Ensuring effectiveness of current protected areas is critical for conservation, which necessitates a comprehensive understanding selection patterns at different spatial scales. Here, we conducted five-year camera trap survey snow Qilian Mountains used multi-scale modelling to investigate connectivity. Our results revealed scale-dependence leopard selection. We found that smaller scales, prey resource topographic variables were main factors determining leopards. Particularly, distribution probability primarily determined overall small scale. At larger however, there was stronger correlation between climate well impacts. The scale-optimized multivariate models indicated significant gaps protecting core habitats ensuring landscape More than 50% projected patches not included areas. Areas with highest number (Subei County) corridors (Tianjun also had least half area outside study provides insights conservation planning suggests prioritizing previously overlooked essential corridors.

Language: Английский

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Climate change and conservation strategies for the Anhui musk deer: habitat suitability and climate refuges in the Dabie Mountains

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 40(5)

Published: May 5, 2025

Language: Английский

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Landscape resistance to gene flow in a snow leopard population from Qilianshan National Park, Gansu, China

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(7), P. 1847 - 1868

Published: May 2, 2023

Language: Английский

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Expanding and Linking Protected Areas Network: A Case Study of GAP Analysis and Corridor Design for Brown Bears in Iran

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 12, 2024

The brown bear is Iran's largest carnivore with a wide distribution range. However, the listed as nationally endangered. Brown bears' habitats in Iran are very fragmented, especially at local scale. Thus, researching potentially suitable habitat areas human-dominated landscape like Lorestan province vital to ensure conservation of this species. In study, we used presence-only based maximum entropy (MaxEnt) approach model bear's suitability. Then, utilized Gap Analysis identify gap between highly and existing protected network. Furthermore, potential corridors were designed some areas, area no-hunting maintain connectivity them. Our results showed that most important variables impacting bears distance from roads, annual precipitation, elevation, agricultural lands respectively. also demonstrated only 7.4% considered habitat, 36.07% remaining unprotected. conclusion, study can be valuable tool for expanding current establishing new ones other similar regions.

Language: Английский

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Climate Change and Conservation Strategies for the Anhui Musk Deer: Habitat Suitability and Climate Refuges in the Dabie Mountains

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 27, 2024

Context Over the past several centuries, musk deer have faced severe population decline pressures due to poaching and habitat loss. With intensification of climate change human disturbance, Anhui (AMD), which is restricted densely populated Eastern China region, faces an extremely high risk extinction. Since beginning century, researchers been collecting presence data on AM developing conservation plans, may provide insights into endangered species facing levels disturbance. Objectives This study aims evaluate vulnerability AMD habitats from present 2090s, determine refugia that could support amidst climatic shifts, identify corridors would enable individual movement among patches in context change. Methods We collected occurrence locations (N = 101) by large-scale infrared camera monitoring 2013–2023, we used MaxEnt predict suitable assess potential impacts habitat. then identified ecological between core through connectivity analysis. Results The highly sensitive temperature current habitat, covering 1,188.90 km², mainly located within Province, with a degree fragmentation. Future projections suggest continuous areas decreasing 1,052.45 km² 2050s, 841.82 2070s, 798.35 2090s. Currently, nature reserves cover only 38.52% existing while refuges for span 586.24 44.38% remain unprotected. Moreover, 14 corridors, connect isolated populations should be prioritized construction response protect its adverse effects. Conclusions Our findings show area will continue under future conditions, efforts are insufficient. remaining Dabie Mountains considered as regional managed meticulously ensure their long-term survival conditions disturbance warming.

Language: Английский

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Short Blankets in Snow Leopard Conservation: The Case of Qilianshan National Park (China) and Surrounding Areas

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 3, 2022

Abstract Context The assessment of landscape-level connectivity patterns is centrally important to the conservation management wildlife species. This especially true for highly vagile carnivore species, which efforts should extend beyond protected areas and link core populations. Objectives We investigated effectiveness Qilianshan National Park (China), across provinces Gansu Qinghai, in providing adequate snow leopard habitat major dispersal routes. Methods coupled resistant kernel factorial least-cost path analyses identify home-range corridors connecting them. compared two resistance surfaces derived from genetic models their ability describe ranked based on intensity movement flow. Results Much extent patches, a vast proportion length area, were located outside Park. identified critical area range-wide connected park but not formally protected. patches representing backbone stepping-stone ensuring landscape structural functional connectivity. Conclusions effectively protects some habitats. However, it alone appears insufficient cover several number linkages. In context meta-population persistence Tibetan Plateau facilitate gene flow, expand institute new strategically conserve provide linkages among

Language: Английский

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Snow leopard status and conservation in China

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 577 - 601

Published: Oct. 20, 2023

Language: Английский

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