scholarly journals Identification of priority areas for landscape connectivity maintenance in the Xingu Area of Endemism in Brazilian Amazonia

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Baia CASTRO ◽  
Jorge Luis Gavina PEREIRA ◽  
Regiane SATURNINO ◽  
Paula Sueli Duarte MONTEIRO ◽  
Ana Luisa Kerti Mangabeira ALBERNAZ
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Connectivity ◽  
Spatial Pattern Analysis ◽  
Genetic Isolation ◽  
Degree Of Protection ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Wildlife Populations ◽  
Fragmented Forests ◽  
Connectivity Maintenance

ABSTRACT Forest fragmentation has been intense in the eastern Amazon region, which has negatively affected wildlife populations. The speed of deforestation in this region underscores the urgent need to understand the effects of such changes on populations of endemic species, and to implement measures for ecosystem conservation. We analyzed the extent to which fragmented forests are still connected in the Xingu Area of Endemism, in the eastern Brazilian Amazon, and assigned conservation priority to fragments most important for connectivity maintenance. We structurally classified the Xingu landscape using the Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis and ranked each fragment according to its importance using an Index of Connectivity. Our data revealed important differences in conservation potential across the region. Although most of the study area already receives some degree of protection, future conservation actions should prioritize the connection of habitat fragments to maximize dispersal potential and minimize genetic isolation of biodiversity components. We produced a map of prioritary areas for connectivity maximization. These areas include fragments with large core areas and high-quality fragments that provide connection among habitats which, together, should maintain crucial corridors for gene flow in a biologically-rich region of the Amazon.

scholarly journals Waldbauliche Massnahmen für das Auerhuhn im Sonderwaldreservat Amden: ein erstes Fazit

2014 ◽  
Vol 165 (4) ◽  
pp. 87-96
Author(s):  
Nicolas Bircher ◽  
Harald Bugmann ◽  
Kurt Bollmann
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Forest Reserve ◽  
Species Response ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Restoration Measures

Silvicultural habitat restoration measures for the capercaillie in the special forest reserve of Amden: a first review As a threatened forest grouse species, the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) depends on conservation actions in core areas of its Alpine distribution. In this study, we looked at the species' response to silvicultural measures in the special forest reserve of Amden in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. Here, silvicultural measures were taken between 2006 and 2009 in stands that had previously been classified as less or not suitable for capercaillie. In summer 2010, we investigated how stands used by the species differed from unused ones by relating indirect evidence of species presence with forest structural and compositional variables. Evidence of species' habitat use was found in 12 out of 33 surveyed stands. Used stands showed a significantly higher share of bilberry in the ground vegetation layer, a higher proportion of coniferous trees and a lower canopy cover. Furthermore, the proportion of suitable habitat in immediate vicinity of the treated forest stand was higher in used stands. Our results support that habitat restoration by logging is a promising method to improve capercaillie habitat, in particular in fir-spruce forests, where the effectivity of restoration measures was higher compared to fir-beech forests. Hence, managing guidance for the future selection of stands for restoration should be based on habitat suitability of the stand itself and on an appropriate habitat quality of adjacent forest stands.

scholarly journals Reconciling Community Livelihood Needs and Biodiversity Conservation in Taita Hills Forests for Improved Livelihoods and Transformational Management of the Landscape

2021 ◽  
pp. 17-35
Author(s):  
Chemuku Wekesa ◽  
Leila Ndalilo ◽  
Carolyne Manya
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Landscape Connectivity ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Taita Hills ◽  
Fragmented Forests ◽  
Integrated Conservation

AbstractThe fragmented forests of Taita Hills form an exceptional multi-functional socio-ecological production landscape with outstanding diversity of flora and fauna that provide ecosystem goods and services supporting human wellbeing and livelihood systems. However, these forests are threatened by illegal logging for wood products and encroachment for crop farming. A study was conducted in villages surrounding five forest fragments to establish the conservation programmes responsible for keeping these forests intact for provision of goods and services to the local communities. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 250 respondents in 25 villages surrounding the five forest fragments. Twenty-five focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with key informants actively involved in conservation activities. Results showed that the Taita community conserves the forest fragments through management practices that integrate livelihood needs in conservation, such as butterfly farming, bee-keeping and ecotourism. Additionally, community tree nurseries have been established to produce seedlings for restoring degraded areas, and agroforestry belts have been established on the forests’ edges to provide wood products and protect the forests from encroachment. Likewise, village committees have been established to oversee conservation activities inside the village jurisdictional area. The integrated conservation and livelihood approach has reduced forest destruction, enhanced landscape connectivity for biodiversity conservation, increased incomes, enhanced capacity of the community to adapt to climate change, improved food security, enhanced carbon storage, strengthened traditional knowledge and practices, and ensured availability of clean water for the local population.

scholarly journals Research on the Optimization of Regional Green Infrastructure Network

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuemin Shi ◽  
Mingzhou Qin
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Circuit Theory ◽  
Urban Land Use ◽  
Spatial Pattern Analysis ◽  
Pinch Point ◽  
Minimum Path ◽  
Infrastructure Network ◽  
Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis

With the rapid rate of urbanization, green infrastructure land is increasingly being converted to urban construction land, and the fragmentation of regional green infrastructure (GI) networks is intensifying. The connectivity of a GI network is of paramount importance for maintaining both regional biodiversity and regional ecosystem service capacity, among others. In this paper, an innovative approach to planning a GI network is presented. The proposed approach is based on the Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) method, minimum path method, and circuit theory. Using the Zhengzhou–Kaifeng metropolitan area in China as a case study, we argue that the combination of the MSPA method and circuit theory can more fully and comprehensively identify the components of a GI network and its key areas. The methodology consists of three steps: (i) Identifying the cores and bridges of the GI by the MSPA method based on land use data, followed by determining the hubs of the GI network by assessing the connectivity of the core area; (ii) establishing potential connecting corridors between hubs by the minimum path method; (iii) identifying the “pinch point” area of the potential connecting corridors based on current density by applying circuit theory. This approach not only makes identification of the “hubs” and “links” in the green infrastructure network more scientific and comprehensive, but it also further identifies “pinch point” areas of the connecting corridors that require priority protection or recovery. The research results can be used as a practical reference for urban planners when planning urban land use.

scholarly journals Assessment of Habitat Quality and Landscape Connectivity for Forest-Dependent Cracids in the Sierra Madre del Sur Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, México

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 194008291987882 ◽  
Author(s):  
María C. Escobar Ocampo ◽  
Miguel Ángel Castillo Santiago ◽  
Susana Ochoa-Gaona ◽  
Paula L. Enríquez ◽  
Nicole Sibelet
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Landscape Connectivity ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Ecological Condition ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Coffee Agroforestry ◽  
Biological Corridor ◽  
High Resolution Map ◽  
Fragmented Forests

Assessing landscape connectivity allows us to identify critical areas that impede or facilitate the movement of organisms and their genes and to plan their conservation and management. In this article, we assessed landscape connectivity and ecological condition of the habitat patches of a highly biodiverse region in Chiapas, Mexico. We employed data of three cracid species with different characteristics in habitat use and mobility. The habitat map of each species was derived from a spatial intersection of the models of potential distribution and a high-resolution map of current land cover and land use. The ecological condition of vegetation types was evaluated using 75 field plots. Structure of landscape was estimated by fragmentation metrics, while functional connectivity was assessed using spatially explicit graph analysis. The extent of suitable habitat for Oreophasis derbianus, Penelopina nigra, and Penelope purpurascens correspond to 25%, 46%, and 55% of the study area (5,185.6 km2), respectively. Although the pine-oak forests were the most fragmented vegetation type, habitats of the three species were well connected, and only 4% to 9% of the fragments located on the periphery of the corridor had low connectivity. Landscape connectivity depends mainly on land uses with an intermediate and lower ecological condition (secondary forests and coffee agroforestry systems). Therefore, we suggest that in addition to promoting the improvement in connectivity in fragmented forests, conservation efforts should be aimed at preventing the conversion of mature forests into agricultural uses and maintaining agroforestry systems.

scholarly journals Identifying Ecological Corridors and Networks in Mountainous Areas

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4797
Author(s):  
Di Zhou ◽  
Wei Song
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Connectivity ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Ecological Networks ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Spatial Pattern Analysis ◽  
Cultivated Land ◽  
Ecological Network ◽  
Network Efficiency ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Ecological Corridors

Since the 1950s, human activities have been driving economic development and land changes, hindering the conservation of biological habitats and landscape connectivity. Constructing ecological networks is an effective means to avoid habitat destruction and fragmentation. Mountain areas are hotspots of biological habitats and biodiversity; however, the pace of urbanization in mountain areas is also accelerating. To protect an ecosystem more effectively, it is necessary to identify ecological corridors and ecological networks. Therefore, based on the Minimal Cumulative Resistance model and taking Chongqing in China as an example, the identification of potential ecological corridors and the construction of an ecological network in Chongqing were realized using the Linkage Mapper software. The results were as follows: (1) From 2005 to 2015, the patch area of cultivated land and grassland in Chongqing decreased by 0.08% and 1.46%, respectively, while that of built-up areas increased by 1.5%. The fragmentation degree of cultivated land was higher, and the internal connectivity of forestry areas was worse. (2) In total, 24 ecological sources were selected, and 87 potential ecological corridors and 35 ecological nodes were generated using the Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis and the Conefor2.6 software. The total length of the ecological network in Chongqing is 2524.34 km, with an average corridor length of 29.02 km. (3) The overall complexity and network efficiency are high, but the spatial distribution of ecological corridors is uneven, especially in the southwest of Chongqing.

scholarly journals Occurrence and conservation of the Vulnerable titi monkey Callicebus melanochir in fragmented landscapes of the Atlantic Forest hotspot

Oryx ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Costa-Araújo ◽  
André Luis Regolin ◽  
Felipe Martello ◽  
João Pedro Souza-Alves ◽  
Tomas Hrbek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forest ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Landscape Connectivity ◽  
Vegetation Indices ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Patch Quality ◽  
Patch Area ◽  
Fragmented Landscapes ◽  
Titi Monkey ◽  
Conservation Actions

Abstract Tropical forest hotspots have a high diversity of species but have lost > 70% of their original vegetation cover and are characterized by a multitude of small and isolated fragments. Paradoxically, conservation actions in these areas are still mainly focused on protection of large tracts of forests, a strategy now infeasible because of the small area of forest remnants. Here we use the Vulnerable black-handed titi monkey Callicebus melanochir as a model to study the effects of habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation on arboreal mammals and to provide insights for science-driven conservation in fragmented landscapes in tropical forest hotspots. We surveyed 38 Atlantic Forest fragments in Bahia State, Brazil and assessed the effects of patch area, quality and visibility, and landscape connectivity on the occurrence of our model species. Patch area was the single best model explaining species occurrence. Nonetheless, patch quality and visibility, and landscape connectivity, positively affect occurrence. In addition to patch area, patch quality, patch visibility and landscape connectivity are useful for predicting the occurrence of arboreal mammals in the fragments of tropical forest hotspots. We encourage the assessment of habitat quality (based on remotely sensed vegetation indices) and habitat visibility (based on digital elevation models) to improve discoverability of arboreal mammal populations and selection of fragments for conservation purposes across fragmented landscapes of tropical forest hotspots. Large remnants of tropical forest hotspots are scarce and therefore we require baseline data to support conservation actions and management in small forest fragments.

scholarly journals Linking Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis and Circuit Theory to Identify Ecological Security Pattern in the Loess Plateau: Taking Shuozhou City as an Example

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 907
Author(s):  
Ronglei Yang ◽  
Zhongke Bai ◽  
Zeyu Shi
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Pattern ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Pattern Analysis ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Circuit Theory ◽  
Spatial Pattern Analysis ◽  
Ecological Security ◽  
The Loess Plateau ◽  
Unused Land ◽  
Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis

Located in an ecologically fragile area in China’s eastern part of the Loess Plateau, Shuozhou City has faced environmental challenges imposed by frequent urban expansion and mining activities in recent years. As ecological security patterns (ESP) identification and optimization are significant to regional biodiversity and ecosystem services, this study combined morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and circuit theory to construct and optimize regional ESP. Results show the number and area of ecological sources in the study area decreased from 21 to 20 between 2010 and 2017. The total area of ecological sources fell from 1923.35 km2 to 1869.37 km2, with their proportion in the study area dropped from 18.14% to 17.64%. From 2010 to 2017, the number of obstacles increases from 63 to 80, mainly consisting of farmland, unused land, transportation land, and construction land. The area of obstacles reached 10.17 km2 in 2017. A framework of “one protection area, two regulation areas, and three restoration areas” is proposed to optimize the ESP of the study zone. This study explored a combination of ESP analysis tools and focused on improving regional ecosystem service and biodiversity. It will support local urban planning and provide a reference for similar studies in resource-based cities.

scholarly journals Landscape dynamics of Paspalum quadrifarium grasslands analyzed by Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo L Gandini ◽  
Bruno D Lara ◽  
Laura Beatriz Moreno ◽  
Maria A Cañibano ◽  
Patricia A Gandini
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Pattern ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Pattern Analysis ◽  
Central Area ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Spatial Pattern Analysis ◽  
Percentage Increase ◽  
Coverage Area ◽  
Binary Images ◽  
Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis

Background. Despite its wide distribution worldwide, only 4.6% of temperate grasslands are included within systems of protected areas. In Argentina, this situation is even more alarming: only 1.05% is protected. The study area (central area of the southern Salado River basin) has a large extent of grasslands of Paspalum quadrifarium (Pq) which has been target since the last century of a variety of agricultural management practices including fire burning for cattle grazing. Methods. Binary images of presence-absence data of Pq from a 42-year (1974-2016) land cover change study were used as base data. MSPA (Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis) and Network Analysis were performed to the data using Guidos Toolbox for the estimation of habitat and connectivity dynamics of the Pq patches (fragments). Results. A loss of the coverage area and habitat nuclei of this grassland was observed between the beginning and the end of the study period. A drastic reduction in connectivity was also evident in resulting maps. The number of large Pq grassland fragments (> 50 ha) decreased during the study period, and fragmentation measured as number of components (patches) was higher at the end of study period. The Pq pajonal nuclei had their minimum representativeness in 2000, and recovered slightly in 2011, but with a significant percentage increase of the small patches (=islets) and linear elements as bridges and branches. Large corridors (mainly edge of roads) could be observed at the end of study period, while the total connectivity of the landscape pattern drops abruptly. Discussion. The habitat reduction could have an impact on the ecosystem functioning and the mobility of some species of native fauna. The connecting elements of the landscape were maintained and/or recovered in percentage in 2011 and 2016. This fact, although favoring the dispersion of the present diversity in the habitat nuclei could cause degradation by an edge effect. On the methodological side, the use of a proved tool as Guidos Toolbox for evaluating forest fragmentation could also be useful for monitoring dynamics of a grassland-habitat fragmentation.

scholarly journals Integrating morphological spatial pattern analysis and the minimal cumulative resistance model to optimize urban ecological networks: a case study in Shenzhen City, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang-Yang Li ◽  
Yu-Zhe Zhang ◽  
Zhi-Yun Jiang ◽  
Cheng-Xuan Guo ◽  
Ming-Yue Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Pattern ◽  
Pattern Analysis ◽  
Ecological Networks ◽  
Spatial Pattern Analysis ◽  
Landscape Index ◽  
Stepping Stones ◽  
Index Method ◽  
Source Areas ◽  
Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis ◽  
Mcr Model

Abstract Background With the increasing fragmentation of landscape induced by rapid urbanization, the construction of ecological networks is of great significance to alleviate the degradation of urban habitats and protect natural environments. However, there is considerable uncertainty when constructing ecological networks, especially the different approaches to selecting ecological sources. We used the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen as a study area to construct and optimize ecological networks using a coupling approach. Ecological source areas were extracted using morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and the landscape index method. Ecological networks were constructed using the minimal cumulative resistance (MCR) model and the gravity model. Stepping stones and ecological fault points were added in corridors to optimize the ecological network. Results Ten core areas with maximum importance patch values were extracted by the landscape index method as ecological source areas according to MSPA, after which corridors between ecological sources were constructed based on the MCR model. The constructed ecological networks were optimized using 35 stepping stones and 17 ecological fault points. The optimized ecological networks included 11 important corridors, 34 general corridors, and seven potential corridors. The results of corridor landscape-type analysis showed that a suitable ecological corridor is 60 to 200 m wide. Conclusions Overall, our results imply that ecological source areas can be identified virtually, and that ecological networks can be significantly optimized by combining MSPA and MCR models. These results provide a methodological reference for constructing ecological networks, and they will be useful for urban planning and biodiversity protection in Shenzhen and other similar regions around the world.

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