Abstract
This paper presents a methodology to study the connectivity that livestock trails can offer to guarantee the transit of organisms and access to pasturelands. In this regard, a connectivity analysis was carried out in two scenarios: Basic Scenario (Scenario 1: pasture) and Extended Scenario (Scenario 2: pasture + livestock trails) by using the Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA). The result of structural connectivity analysis, MSPA, showed that livestock trails reduce the fragmentation of the optimal terrain (pasturelands) for livestock activity, since the effective corridors are more numerous, and the edge effect is also reduced. Therefore, MSPA analysis allows the classification of any landscape typology at the pixel level and mapping of corridor structures (connecting elements) and other categories of spatial patterns on a continental scale. The results of the study show the importance of carrying out this type of analysis in different times of the year, detecting the evolution of connectivity throughout the year. Spring months and larger areas of pastureland offer the best conditions for the movements of organisms. This study aims to provide useful information for landscape or territorial planning, and it could be used to improve the management of wildlife dependent on high quality pastures, as well as to promote the management of semi-extensive livestock.
Highlights
Nowadays, landscape is highly fragmented as a consequence of anthropogenic impacts over the last decades [1,2]
Through the methodology presented in this paper, we evaluate how livestock trails can guarantee the transit of organisms and access to pasturelands
The study was developed within the Spanish province of Málaga in south Spain (Andalusia region), which covers a total area of 7306.34 km2
Summary
Landscape is highly fragmented as a consequence of anthropogenic impacts over the last decades [1,2]. As a result of this fragmentation, many portions of land remain isolated from other portions of land, dividing ecosystems This implies a reduction in natural resource transference and species dispersion [3]. The definition and application of connectivity criteria is one of the most powerful tools used for nature conservation In this sense, and following Gurrutxaga and Lozano [4], the capacity of the land to allow the displacement of organisms between land patches with resources is called structural connectivity. Following Gurrutxaga and Lozano [4], the capacity of the land to allow the displacement of organisms between land patches with resources is called structural connectivity Ecological corridors make this connectivity possible and should be considered as an essential resource in the evaluation of biodiversity and biological conservation [5]. The effect of livestock trails on territorial connectivity in Scenario 2 stands out, which translates into an increase in bridges or very effective corridors (+3.4%), as well as a decrease in borders (−1.2%) and an increase in branches (+1.5%)
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