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

Travers, Thomas J.P.; Alison, Jamie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6787-6192; Taylor, Sarah D.; Crick, Humphrey Q.P.; Hodgson, Jenny A.. 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. 9, pp. 10.1098/rspb.2021.1010

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Abstract/Summary

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:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1098/rspb.2021.1010
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0962-8452
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	climate change, circuit theory, Condatis, connectivity, dispersal, range shifts
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	04 Oct 2021 13:12 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/531166

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