Abstract
Abstract Natural habitats in urban areas provide benefits for both humans and biodiversity. However, to achieve biodiversity gains, we require new techniques to determine habitat suitability and ecological connectivity that will inform urban planning and development. Using an example of an urban population of water voles Arvicola amphibius, we developed a habitat suitability model and a resistance‐surface‐based model of landscape connectivity to identify potential connectivity between areas of suitable habitat. We then updated the environmental variables according to new urban development plans and used our models to generate spatially explicit predictions of both habitat suitability and connectivity. To make models accessible to urban and conservation planners, we developed an interactive mapping tool that provided users with a graphical user interface (GUI) to inform conservation planning for this species. The model found that habitat suitability for water voles was related to the proportion and distance from key environmental variables, such as built‐up areas and urban green spaces, while the connectivity model identified important corridors connecting areas of potential distribution for this species. Future development plans altered the potential spatial distribution of the water vole population, reducing the extent of suitable habitat in some core areas. The interactive mapping tool made available suitable habitat and connectivity maps for conservation managers to assess new planning applications and for the development of a conservation action plan for water voles. Synthesis and applications. We believe this approach provides a framework for future development of nature conservation tools that can be used by planners to inform ecological decision‐making, increase biodiversity and reduce human–wildlife conflict in urban environments.
Highlights
Natural habitats within cities are increasingly required to tackle the biodiversity extinction crisis (Oke et al, 2021) and to provide benefits for both humans and wildlife in a changing climate (Stafford et al, 2021)
Using an example of an urban population of water voles Arvicola amphibius, we developed a habitat suitability model and a resistance-surface-based model of landscape connectivity to identify potential connectivity between areas of suitable habitat
The model found that habitat suitability for water voles was related to the proportion and distance from key environmental variables, such as built-up areas and urban green spaces, while the connectivity model identified important corridors connecting areas of potential distribution for this species
Summary
Natural habitats within cities are increasingly required to tackle the biodiversity extinction crisis (Oke et al, 2021) and to provide benefits for both humans and wildlife in a changing climate (Stafford et al, 2021). Ecological connectivity modelling has been used to examine both structural and functional connectivity of urban landscapes and has been highlighted as a means to develop “data-driven and evidence-based biodiversity-friendly infrastructure planning in urban areas” (LaPoint et al, 2015) One of these resistance-surface- based connectivity modelling has become a widespread tool for conservation planning (Wade et al, 2015). | Journal of Applied Ecolo gy 3 potential distribution and (d) develop an interactive and user-friendly tool to allow managers and planners to generate real-time prediction of the model outputs under different hypothetical scenarios of urban development The provision of this model will be used to inform management of water voles, balancing the legal protection of this species, maintaining green amenity space for local people, and planning of housings and infrastructure for the socio-economic development of this area. The approach taken provides a framework for applying similar practices to the management of other species and habitats in urban environments
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
