Assessing landscape functional connectivity in a forest carnivore using path selection functions


Autoria(s): Caravalho, Filipe; Carvalho, Rafael; Mira, António; Beja, Pedro
Data(s)

23/01/2017

23/01/2017

2016

2016

Resumo

Context Understanding connectivity patterns in relation to habitat fragmentation is essential to landscape management. However, connectivity is often judged from expert opinion or species occurrence patterns, with very few studies considering the actual movements of individuals. Path selection functions provide a promising tool to infer functional connectivity from animal movement data, but its practical application remains scanty. Objectives We aimed to describe functional connectivity patterns in a forest carnivore using path-level analysis, and to explore how connectivity is affected by land cover patterns and road networks. Methods We radiotracked 22 common genets in a mixed forest-agricultural landscape of southern Portugal. We developed path selection functions discriminating between observed and random paths in relation to landscape variables. These functions were used together with land cover information to map conductance surfaces. Results Genets moved preferentially within forest patches and close to riparian habitats. Functional connectivity declined with increasing road density, but increased with the proximity of culverts, viaducts and bridges. Functional connectivity was favoured by large forest patches, and by the presence of riparian areas providing corridors within open agricultural land. Roads reduced connectivity by dissecting forest patches, but had less effect on riparian corridors due to the presence of crossing structures. Conclusions Genet movements were jointly affected by the spatial distribution of suitable habitats, and the presence of a road network dissecting such habitats and creating obstacles in areas otherwise permeable to animal movement. Overall, the study showed the value of path-level analysis to assess functional connectivity patterns in human-modified landscapes.

Identificador

Carvalho, F.; Carvalho, R.; Mira, A.; Beja, P. 2016. Assessing landscape functional connectivity in a forest carnivore using path selection functions. Landscape Ecology, 31(5): 1021-1036.

1021-1036

http://hdl.handle.net/10174/19975

Landscape Ecology

31

ICAAM

nd

nd

amira@uevora.pt

nd

221

DOI 10.1007/s10980-015-0326-x

Idioma(s)

eng

Publicador

Landscape Ecology

Direitos

openAccess

Palavras-Chave #Conditional logistic regression #Forest carnivores #Genetta genetta #Landscape conductance #Movement Behaviour #Path-level-analysis #Road Ecology
Tipo

article