Habitat patches providing south-north connectivity are under-protected in a fragmented landscape



Travers, Thomas JP, Alison, Jamie, Taylor, Sarah D, Crick, Humphrey QP and Hodgson, Jenny A ORCID: 0000-0003-2297-3631
(2021) Habitat patches providing south-north connectivity are under-protected in a fragmented landscape. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 288 (1957). 20211010-.

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Abstract

As species' ranges shift to track climate change, conservationists increasingly recognize the need to consider connectivity when designating protected areas (PAs). In fragmented landscapes, some habitat patches are more important than others in maintaining connectivity, and methods are needed for their identification. Here, using the Condatis methodology, we model range expansion through an adaptation of circuit theory. Specifically, we map 'flow' through 16 conservation priority habitat networks in England, quantifying how patches contribute to functional South-North connectivity. We also explore how much additional connectivity could be protected via a connectivity-led protection procedure. We find high-flow patches are often left out of existing PAs; across 12 of 16 habitat networks, connectivity protection falls short of area protection by 13.6% on average. We conclude that the legacy of past protection decisions has left habitat-specialist species vulnerable to climate change. This situation may be mirrored in many countries which have similar habitat protection principles. Addressing this requires specific planning tools that can account for the directions species may shift. Our connectivity-led reserve selection procedure efficiently identifies additional PAs that prioritize connectivity, protecting a median of 40.9% more connectivity in these landscapes with just a 10% increase in area.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: climate change, circuit theory, Condatis, connectivity, dispersal, range shifts
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 08 Sep 2021 10:04
Last Modified: 07 Feb 2023 17:23
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1010
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3136365