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Ulloa-Espindola R, Martín-Fernández S. Determining the areas most suitable for urban land use while minimizing impact on natural areas. The case of the Machachi Valley, Ecuador. Heliyon 2024; 10:e36596. [PMID: 39263155 PMCID: PMC11388794 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to the impact of urban growth on the environment, especially in developing countries, decision-making tools are needed to help locate the ideal areas for urban use. This study aims to identify the areas most suitable for urban use, minimizing their impact on forest land use in an area with high urban sprawl. As a new development, the study also considers the connectivity between forest-use patches and the loss of forest area as decision variables. The methodology used to determine these areas was AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) with GIS (Geography Information System). Twenty experts evaluated the criteria, considering forest conservation in addition to urban suitability. Socio-economic, physical, and environmental criteria and sub-criteria were scored with values from 1 to 5, with 5 indicating the maximum potential of the pixel to accommodate urban use. The study area was the Machachi Valley and the conurbation of Quito in Ecuador. The results indicate that the most suitable urban areas are located in the buffer that surrounds the initial urban use, and the land along the Pan-American Highway. The most vulnerable forest zone was in the south center of Quito and on the hillsides of the Pasochoa volcano. The results were also compared with maps that estimate the evolution of the land uses in this valley in the coming years. Based on this comparison, maintenance of current trends will result in a significant loss of native forest and fragmentation of forest patches in the lower valley. The information provided by maps of suitable urban use is a useful tool to protect the natural resources that land use policies should take into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rene Ulloa-Espindola
- ETSI Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria sn, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Martín-Fernández
- Centro para la Conservación de la Biodiversidad y el Desarrollo Sostenible, ETSI de Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, c/ José Antonio Nováis 10, 2804, Madrid, Spain
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Dalui S, Sharma LK, Thakur M. Barriers and corridors: Assessment of gene flow and movement among red panda populations in eastern Himalayas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 931:172523. [PMID: 38657804 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Landscape features can impede dispersal, gene flow, and population demography, resulting in the formation of several meta-populations within a continuous landscape. Understanding a species' ability to overcome these barriers is critical for predicting genetic connectivity and population persistence, and implementing effective conservation strategies. In the present study, we conducted a fine-scale spatial genetic analysis to understand the contemporary gene flow within red panda populations in the Eastern Himalayas. Employing geometric aspects of reserve design, we delineated the critical core habitats for red pandas, which comprise 14.5 % of the landscape (12,189.75 Km2), with only a mere 443 Km2 falling within the protected areas. We identified corridors among the core habitats, which may be vital for the species' long-term genetic viability. Furthermore, we identified substantial landscape barriers, including Sela Pass in the western region, Siang river in the central region, and the Dibang river, Lohit river, along with Dihang, Dipher, and Kumjawng passes in the eastern region, which hinder gene flow. We suggest managing red panda populations through the creation of Community Conservation Reserves in the identified core habitats, following landscape-level management planning based on the core principles of geometric reserve design. This includes a specific emphasis on identified core habitats of red panda (CH-RP 5 and CH-RP 8) to facilitate corridors and implement meta-population dynamics. We propose the development of a comprehensive, long-term conservation and management plan for red pandas in the transboundary landscape, covering China, Nepal, and Bhutan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriyo Dalui
- Zoological Survey of India, New Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700053, India; Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019, India
| | - Lalit Kumar Sharma
- Zoological Survey of India, New Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700053, India
| | - Mukesh Thakur
- Zoological Survey of India, New Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700053, India.
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McCullough IM, Beirne C, Soto-Navarro C, Whitworth A. Mapping climate adaptation corridors for biodiversity-A regional-scale case study in Central America. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304756. [PMID: 38820545 PMCID: PMC11142673 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate adaptation corridors are widely recognized as important for promoting biodiversity resilience under climate change. Central America is part of the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot, but there have been no regional-scale analyses of potential climate adaptation corridors in Central America. We identified 2375 potential corridors throughout Central America that link lowland protected areas (≤ 500 m) with intact, high-elevation forests (≥ 1500 m) that represent potential climate change refugia. Whereas we found potential corridors in all Central American countries, potential corridors in Panama, Belize, and Honduras were most protected (medians = 64%, 49%, and 47%, respectively) and potential corridors in El Salvador were least protected (median = 10%). We also developed a corridor priority index based on the ecological characteristics and protected status of potential corridors and their associated start and end points. Compared to low- and medium-priority corridors, high-priority corridors (n = 160; top 7% of all corridors) were generally more protected, forested, and distributed across wider elevational gradients and more Key Biodiversity Areas, but also generally linked larger lowland protected areas to target areas that were larger, more protected, and spanned wider elevational gradients. For example, based on median values, high-priority corridors were 9% more protected and overlapped with 2-3 more Key Biodiversity Areas than low- and medium-priority corridors. Although high-elevation targets spanned considerably wider elevational gradients than lowland protected areas (medians = 695 vs. 142 m, respectively) and thus may be more likely to support refugia, they were considerably smaller than lowland protected areas (medians = 11 vs. 50 km2 respectively) and mostly unprotected (median = 4% protection). This initial, regional assessment can help prioritize locations for finer-scale research, conservation, and restoration activities in support of climate adaptation corridors throughout Central America and highlights the need for greater conservation of potential high-elevation refugia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M. McCullough
- Osa Conservation, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Osa Conservation Campus, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
| | - Christopher Beirne
- Osa Conservation, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Osa Conservation Campus, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
| | - Carolina Soto-Navarro
- Osa Conservation, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Osa Conservation Campus, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
- UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Whitworth
- Osa Conservation, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Osa Conservation Campus, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America
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Hernandez-Santin L, Gagen EJ, Erskine PD. Setting restorative goals with a regional outlook: Mine-rehabilitation outcomes influence landscape connectivity. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 357:120778. [PMID: 38581899 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Mining is increasing worldwide and is typically associated with highly negative environmental impacts, such as habitat loss and fragmentation. To counteract these effects and improve restoration practices, decisions, such as setting mine rehabilitation goals, could incorporate the assessment and restoration of landscape connectivity into their regional and local-scale planning. The overarching goal of this work was to assess landscape connectivity for flora and fauna and explore mine-rehabilitation scenarios that can be used as a tool for prioritising biodiversity outcomes. Our study area comprised the Fitzroy Basin (Queensland, Australia), where the disturbance footprints from mining cover a cumulative area of 121,239 ha. We considered two scenarios: rehabilitation to agriculture and restoration to native ecosystems. To compare these scenarios, we created differential maps, which highlighted that restoring to native ecosystems represented connectivity gains over agricultural rehabilitation goals. These maps revealed three ways to prioritise rehabilitation outcomes, giving priority to mines that: 1) presented medium to high connectivity values, 2) covered a large area of influence (contributing to connectivity on a larger scale, regardless of current flow values), and 3) showed a gain of important paths/corridors. We explored four case studies and found that three benefited from restoration outcomes, while the fourth did not benefit by either scenario. Our methods can be used for decision-making in restoration ecology and conservation, including mine rehabilitation priorities and goals, as well as for evaluating connectivity gains or losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna Hernandez-Santin
- Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
| | - Emma J Gagen
- International Council on Mining and Metals, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter D Erskine
- Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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Eikaas IL, Roussel H, Thorén AKH, Dramstad WE. Applying Landscape Ecology in Local Planning, Some Experiences. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3410. [PMID: 36834103 PMCID: PMC9964141 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Landscape ecology is repeatedly described as an applied science that can help reduce the negative effects of land-use and land-use changes on biodiversity. However, the extent to which landscape ecology is in fact contributing to planning and design processes is questioned. The aim of this paper is to investigate if and how landscape ecology can be integrated in a planning and design process, and to uncover possible problems that, e.g., landscape architects and planners, may face in such processes. Our conclusion, based on a case study from Asker municipality, Norway, is that such a landscape ecological approach has a lot to offer. However, it is difficult to exploit the potential fully for different reasons, e.g., biodiversity information tends to be specialized, and not easily used by planners and designers, and landscape ecological principles need an adaptation process to be applicable in a real-world situation. We conclude that for the situation to improve, landscape ecologists need to ease this process. In addition, we recommend collaboration across disciplinary boundaries, preferably with a common design concept as a foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anne-Karine H. Thorén
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003 NMBU, 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Wenche E. Dramstad
- Department of Landscape Monitoring, Survey and Statistics Division, P.O. Box 115 NIBIO, 1431 Ås, Norway
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McCullough IM, Hanly PJ, King KBS, Wagner T. Freshwater corridors in the conterminous United States: A coarse‐filter approach based on lake‐stream networks. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ian M. McCullough
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
| | - Patrick J. Hanly
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
| | - Katelyn B. S. King
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
| | - Tyler Wagner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA
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Assessment of the Morphological Pattern of the Lebanon Cedar under Changing Climate: The Mediterranean Case. LAND 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/land11060802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The effects of climate change on species can influence the delicate balance in ecosystems. For this reason, conservation planning needs to take account of connectivity and the related ecological processes within the framework of climate change. In this study, we focus on the change in the ecological connectivity of the Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.), which is widely distributed in the Mediterranean, particularly in the Amanus and Taurus Mountains. To this end, we evaluated the changes in spatial units providing connectivity in the potential and future distributions of the species through ecological niche modelling, morphological spatial pattern analysis, and landscape metrics. The results suggest that the species is moving to the northeast. According to the future projections, we predict that the potential habitat suitability of the species will shrink significantly and that, in the case of pessimistic scenarios, the extent of the suitable habitats will decrease, particularly in the western and central Taurus Mountain chains. A comparison of potential and future cores indicates that there will be a slight increase under the RCP 4.5 2050 scenario, whereas core areas will decrease in the RCP 4.5 2070, RCP 8.5 2050, and RCP 8.5 2070 scenarios. In addition, it is predicted that bridges would increase in the RCP 4.5 2070 and RCP 8.5 2050 scenarios but decrease in other scenarios.
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Cameron DR, Schloss CA, Theobald DM, Morrison SA. A framework to select strategies for conserving and restoring habitat connectivity in complex landscapes. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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A river-based approach in reconstructing connectivity among protected areas: Insights and challenges from the Balkan region. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Denryter K, Fischer JK. Mitigating anthropogenic barriers to facilitate distributional shifts helps reduce vulnerability of a large herbivore to climate change. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Denryter
- Wildlife Branch California Department of Fish and Wildlife West Sacramento California USA
| | - J. K. Fischer
- Wildlife Branch California Department of Fish and Wildlife West Sacramento California USA
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Préau C, Bertrand R, Sellier Y, Grandjean F, Isselin‐Nondedeu F. Climate change would prevail over land use change in shaping the future distribution of
Triturus marmoratus
in France. Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Clémentine Préau
- Réserve Naturelle Nationale du Pinail GEREPI, Moulin de Chitré Vienne France
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions UMR CNRS 7267 Equipe Ecologie Evolution Symbiose Poitiers Cedex France
- Département Aménagement et Environnement Ecole Polytechnique de l’Université de Tours CNRS UMR CNRS 7324 CITERES Tours France
| | - Romain Bertrand
- Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique UMR5174 Université de Toulouse III Paul Sabatier CNRS IRD Toulouse France
| | - Yann Sellier
- Réserve Naturelle Nationale du Pinail GEREPI, Moulin de Chitré Vienne France
| | - Frédéric Grandjean
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions UMR CNRS 7267 Equipe Ecologie Evolution Symbiose Poitiers Cedex France
| | - Francis Isselin‐Nondedeu
- Département Aménagement et Environnement Ecole Polytechnique de l’Université de Tours CNRS UMR CNRS 7324 CITERES Tours France
- UMR CNRS/IRD 7263 IMBE Université d'Avignon et des Pays de Vaucluse Avignon France
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Trends in Wildlife Connectivity Science from the Biodiverse and Human-Dominated South Asia. J Indian Inst Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s41745-021-00240-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Hersperger AM, Grădinaru SR, Pierri Daunt AB, Imhof CS, Fan P. Landscape ecological concepts in planning: review of recent developments. LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY 2021; 36:2329-2345. [PMID: 34720410 PMCID: PMC8549942 DOI: 10.1007/s10980-021-01193-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Landscape ecology as an interdisciplinary science has great potential to inform landscape planning, an integrated, collaborative practice on a regional scale. It is commonly assumed that landscape ecological concepts play a key role in this quest. OBJECTIVES The aim of the paper is to identify landscape ecological concepts that are currently receiving attention in the scientific literature, analyze the prevalence of these concepts and understand how these concepts can inform the steps of the planning processes, from goal establishment to monitoring. METHODS We analyzed all empirical and overview papers that have been published in four key academic journals in the field of landscape ecology and landscape planning in the years 2015-2019 (n = 1918). Title, abstract and keywords of all papers were read in order to identify landscape ecological concepts. A keyword search was applied to identify the use of these and previously mentioned concepts in common steps of the planning cycle. RESULTS The concepts Structure, Function, Change, Scale, Landscape as human experience, Land use, Landscape and ecosystem services, Green infrastructure, and Landscape resilience were prominently represented in the analyzed literature. Landscape ecological concepts were most often mentioned in context of the landscape analysis steps and least in context of goal establishment and monitoring. CONCLUSIONS The current literature spots landscape ecological concepts with great potential to support landscape planning. However, future studies need to address directly how these concepts can inform all steps in the planning process. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version of this article (10.1007/s10980-021-01193-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Hersperger
- Head of Land Use Systems Group, Land Change Science Research Unit, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Simona R. Grădinaru
- Centre for Environmental Research and Impact Studies, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Beatriz Pierri Daunt
- Head of Land Use Systems Group, Land Change Science Research Unit, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Carole S. Imhof
- Land Change Science Research Unit, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peilei Fan
- School of Planning, Design, and Construction and Center for Global Change and Earth Observations, Michigan State University, Michigan, USA
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