Abstract
Connectivity of animal populations is an increasingly prominent concern in fragmented landscapes, yet existing methodological and conceptual approaches implicitly assume the presence of, or need for, discrete corridors. We tested this assumption by developing a flexible conceptual approach that does not assume, but allows for, the presence of discrete movement corridors. We quantified functional connectivity habitat for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) across a large landscape in central western North America. We assigned sample locations to a movement state (encamped, traveling and relocating), and used Global Positioning System (GPS) location data and conditional logistic regression to estimate state-specific resource selection functions. Patterns of resource selection during different movement states reflected selection for sagebrush and general avoidance of rough topography and anthropogenic features. Distinct connectivity corridors were not common in the 5,625 km2 study area. Rather, broad areas functioned as generally high or low quality connectivity habitat. A comprehensive map predicting the quality of connectivity habitat across the study area validated well based on a set of GPS locations from independent greater sage-grouse. The functional relationship between greater sage-grouse and the landscape did not always conform to the idea of a discrete corridor. A more flexible consideration of landscape connectivity may improve the efficacy of management actions by aligning those actions with the spatial patterns by which animals interact with the landscape.
Highlights
Maintaining connectivity of landscapes for animal populations is a primary challenge for conservation and land managers [1], [2]
Methodological challenges include assumptions made about the nature of the system under study, and often include decisions implicitly based on our expectation of how animals should interact with the landscape, rather than modeling the ways in which animals exhibit functional interactions with the landscape
A persistent methodological challenge that is not addressed in recent connectivity literature is that investigators use analytical methods that make the implicit assumption that connectivity is bestachieved via delineation of corridors
Summary
Maintaining connectivity of landscapes for animal populations is a primary challenge for conservation and land managers [1], [2]. This challenge arises from two general sources: methodological and implementation. A persistent methodological challenge that is not addressed in recent connectivity literature is that investigators (often unwittingly) use analytical methods that make the implicit assumption that connectivity is bestachieved via delineation of corridors. Addressing this methodological challenge may help overcome implementational challenges in applied connectivity management
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