Effect of Planning for Connectivity on Linear Reserve Networks |
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Authors: | PIA E LENTINI PHILIP GIBBONS JOSIE CARWARDINE JOERN FISCHER MICHAEL DRIELSMA TARA G MARTIN |
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Institution: | 1. School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, , Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia;2. The Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, , Canberra, ACT 0200 Australia;3. CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, EcoSciences Precinct, , QLD 4102 Australia;4. Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University Lueneburg, , 21335 Lueneburg, Germany;5. Biodiversity and Cultural Heritage Unit, New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, The University of New England, , Armidale, NSW 2351 Australia;6. School of Environmental and Rural Science, The University of New England, , Armidale, NSW 2351 Australia |
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Abstract: | Although the concept of connectivity is decades old, it remains poorly understood and defined, and some argue that habitat quality and area should take precedence in conservation planning instead. However, fragmented landscapes are often characterized by linear features that are inherently connected, such as streams and hedgerows. For these, both representation and connectivity targets may be met with little effect on the cost, area, or quality of the reserve network. We assessed how connectivity approaches affect planning outcomes for linear habitat networks by using the stock‐route network of Australia as a case study. With the objective of representing vegetation communities across the network at a minimal cost, we ran scenarios with a range of representation targets (10%, 30%, 50%, and 70%) and used 3 approaches to account for connectivity (boundary length modifier, Euclidean distance, and landscape‐value LV]). We found that decisions regarding the target and connectivity approach used affected the spatial allocation of reserve systems. At targets ≥50%, networks designed with the Euclidean distance and LV approaches consisted of a greater number of small reserves. Hence, by maximizing both representation and connectivity, these networks compromised on larger contiguous areas. However, targets this high are rarely used in real‐world conservation planning. Approaches for incorporating connectivity into the planning of linear reserve networks that account for both the spatial arrangement of reserves and the characteristics of the intervening matrix highlight important sections that link the landscape and that may otherwise be overlooked. El Efecto de la Planeación para la Conectividad en Redes de Reservas Lineales |
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Keywords: | connectivity metrics corridor linear feature Marxan sensitivity systematic conservation target‐based conservation traveling stock route conservació n basada en objetivos corredor elementos lineale Marxan medidas de conectividad planificació n sistemá tica de la conservació n sensibilidad |
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