Structural Corridors Research Articles

Restorative Justice Paradigm

The paradigm shift from retributive justice to restorative justice has encouraged institutional awareness that restorative justice methods are alternatives that need to be strengthened both in terms of policy and practice. This has prompted law enforcement agencies to begin drafting and enforcing restorative justice policies in the criminal case settlement process. The purpose of this research is to analyze the working process of restorative justice policies through their implementation practices in each institution that focuses on various criminal justice institutions in Pontianak City. This study will describe the factors that influence the process of working in restorative justice by elaborating on the paradigm of law enforcement officers, policies at their institutions, and their experiences and practices. The method used is normative-empirical legal research as research on law enforcement in concreto. Although the paradigm of punishment has shifted towards a restorative paradigm, the findings in the field showed frequent obstacles. First, cross-sectoral regulatory factors that regulate restorative justice mechanisms with different mechanisms. Second, the weak integration of the criminal justice system as seen in practice between the Pontianak Police and the Pontianak District Attorney Office has not shown the integration of the criminal justice system in the corridor of enforcing the principle of functional differentiation. Third, the factor of criminal law policy is overcriminalistic so it is still overshadowed by the retributive and punitive colonial paradigm. Fourth, factor in the small period of time in the prosecutor's office due to tiered assessments within the structural corridors of leadership. Fifth, the legal culture factor of society is still mostly punitive.
 Keywords: Paradigm; Restorative Justice; Criminal Justice System

Genesis, Distribution, and Characterization of a Paleokarst Subsurface River System in the Tahe Area, Tarim Basin, Western China

Summary Subsurface river systems constitute one of three major paleokarst types that make up Ordovician reservoirs in the Tahe area of the Tarim Basin. The total length of the river system is approximately 400 km, and the reserves associated with this karst type are more than 200 million tons. However, it is manifested that 47% of drilled wells have not encountered river paleokarst, while 50% of wells that have encountered river paleokarst are fully filled due to the poor understanding of the paleokarst of this region, resulting in a significant variation of production capacities. In this study, we propose a detailed data integration approach with outcrops, drilling, logging, seismic profiles, and dynamic data to delineate the complex paleokarst river system in the Tahe area. The karst geological theory with reservoir characterization is combined in particular. The workflow of clarifying the main controlling factors, architecture types, and development distribution modes of the subsurface river system is established. Fill material type, sequence of fill structure, and fill controlling factors are also revealed. A quantitative characterization method of the subsurface rivers is established adopting predictions based on seismic data and high-resolution geostatistical and geological modeling. The Ordovician reservoirs in the Tahe area comprise three paleokarst river systems with different characteristics. Karst paleogeomorphology is the main control over the overall flow direction and plane distribution of the subsurface rivers. Changes in the surface of the phreatic zone are crucial in controlling the vertical layers and scale of the rivers. The combined action of faults plays a decisive role in controlling the anastomosing pattern of the rivers. Single-branch channels, reticulated channels, and structural corridors in single-layer or multilayer styles are the main subsurface river types. Trunk channels, branch channels, hall caves, and inlets/outlets are dominant structures in the architecture of the river system. Sand-mud, breccia, and chemically precipitated materials are the most common fill types. Three typical sequences of fill structure and four spatial combination modes exist in the subsurface river system. The morphology and fill characteristics of rivers are predictable using seismic attributes, such as frequency division energy, frequency division inversion, and coherent energy gradient. 3D models are constructed by multivariate control multipoint geostatistical method, which can characterize the strong heterogeneity characteristics of subsurface river systems. This complex paleokarst system enables remarkable results for the adjustment of the reservoir development plan through quantitative characterization.

A Model for the Lithospheric Architecture of the Central Andes and the Localization of Giant Porphyry Copper Deposit Clusters

Abstract In the central Andes, giant porphyry copper deposits of similar ages group into discrete geographic clusters that are regularly spaced and aligned within orogen-parallel belts. This clustering highlights how exceptional geologic processes affected localized regions of the lithosphere during mineralization and that the spatial and temporal distribution of giant porphyry deposits is nonrandom. Development of favorable regions of lithosphere for significant metal concentration are linked to the overlap of structural pathways that focus fluid and magma flow from the mantle to upper crust during high-horizontal-compressive-strain events. These structural pathways are notoriously difficult to identify in the field due to their often-subtle surficial manifestations and continental scale. Field mapping at multiple scales in northwest Argentina and southern Peru, as well as regional structural traverses throughout the central Andes, indicates the presence of regional-scale structural corridors 5 to 25 km wide and hundreds of km long that consist of myriad fault planes. The variable width and diffuse surface expression of these corridors is interpreted to reflect the upward propagation of underlying zones of basement weakness through younger supracrustal sequences in the overriding plate. Such structural corridors are (1) apparent at multiple scales of investigation, (2) long-lived, (3) preferentially reactivated though time, and (4) evident in geophysical data sets. This structural architecture formed in response to the interplay of pre-Cenozoic tectonics and the orientation of inherited structural weaknesses. These fault systems persist in the upper crust as steep zones of enhanced permeability that can preferentially reactivate as pathways for ascending hydrous magmas and fluids during major deformation events. Linear orogen-parallel structural belts cogenetic with the magmatic arc provide the first-order control to giant porphyry copper deposit distribution. The second-order control is the intersection of orogen-oblique structural corridors with the orogen-parallel belts, localizing deposit clusters at these intersections. Such regions are inferred to have been zones of deep permeability, with vertical translithospheric pathways activated during high-strain tectonic events that affected the intra-arc stress field.

Testing Hypotheses for Geological Controls on Hydraulic-Fracturing-Induced Seismicity in the Montney Formation, Canada

Hydraulic fracturing (HF) can trigger induced seismicity, but documented occurrences tend to be localized compared with the regional extent of industry operations. Factors that determine intrinsic geological susceptibility of a given region to induced seismicity remain incompletely understood. To address this uncertainty, we have developed a stochastic modeling approach to enable statistical testing of hypotheses regarding the distribution of induced seismicity. For reference, we adopted a null hypothesis that HF-induced seismic events are randomly associated with HF wells. Realizations of synthetic induced-seismicity catalogs are generated based on the Gutenberg–Richter relationship for magnitudes and explicit assumed spatial relationship(s) between HF wells and other known features, such as mapped structural corridors. Uncertainties in observed event locations and magnitudes are also considered. Based on 1000 independent realizations for each test scenario, normalized correlation coefficients, Bayesian information criteria and other statistical measures are used to quantify the similarity of synthetic catalogs to the observed seismicity distribution. We applied this approach to induced seismicity associated with HF operations within the Montney Formation, in western Canada. Three hypotheses were tested, each showing a statistically significant improvement over the null hypothesis. A previous machine-learning-based model for Seismogenic Activation Potential (SAP) showed the highest correlation between observed and synthetically generated seismicity catalogs. Our method has been developed using cloud-based computing and is easily adapted to other regions and data types.

Ancient structural inheritance explains gold deposit clustering in northern Perú

Abstract The punctuated distribution of major gold deposits along orogenic belts is poorly understood. In northern Perú, gold deposits cluster along trends that transect the subparallel Phanerozoic belts that accreted onto the western margin of the Archean–Proterozoic Amazonian craton. This suggests the influence of as yet unrecognized pre-Andean basement structures in controlling the localization of Phanerozoic deposits. We report the newly discovered Tomac ophiolite, which represents a missing link in tracing a cryptic basement collisional suture striking obliquely to the Peruvian Andes. The Tomac ophiolite signals the opening of a former Neoproterozoic ocean basin between the Amazonian craton and a continental ribbon of dispersed microterranes. Re-accretion of the continental ribbon resulted in the formation of a collisional belt between ca. 465 and 440 Ma. Rifting and re-accretion occurred parallel to the strike of the ca. 1400–1000 Ma Grenvillian-Sunsás orogen, indicating that structural corridors that transect the Andes at an oblique strike angle reflect inheritance of preexisting lithospheric weak zones. Our study demonstrates that Phanerozoic gold deposits in northern Perú cluster at the intersection between the newly defined basement suture and the superimposed Andean belt and associated well-documented cross faults. Gold mineralization was localized at ancient structural intersections, where enhanced permeability facilitated anomalous energy and mass transfer, promoting major ore accumulation during episodes of accretion.

A connectivity modeling and evaluating methodological framework in biodiversity hotspots based on naturalness and linking wilderness

AbstractWilderness is important for the maintenance of biodiversity, but human activities are increasingly fragmenting it. This situation has serious impacts on various ecological processes, especially in biodiversity hotspots. In previous studies, connectivity modeling is mostly focused on key species, but this approach is difficult to use in biodiversity hotspots. Therefore, it is more practical to focus on naturalness or wilderness. In this study, the Boolean tool and morphological analysis were used to extract landscape type core as wilderness core and Bridge as structural corridors. Then, connectivity analysis was used to extract the wilderness landscape source (WLS). Linkage mapper and Pinch‐point mapper were used to identify the potential corridors and analyze the Pinch‐Points in the corridor, and network connectivity indexes were used to evaluate the corridor network structure. Finally, wilderness core, WLS, structural corridor, and potential corridor are superimposed to get a wilderness network map. A method framework for comprehensive identification and evaluation of the wilderness network in biodiversity hotspots was proposed. Taking Nujiang Prefecture as an example, a wilderness network was constructed and evaluated based on naturalness and wilderness. The results show that human activity has a clear impact on connectivity and that wilderness networks have the potential to be an efficient alternative to habitat networks. In addition, the method framework has potential applicability to other biodiversity hotspots’ regions to reduce the impact of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity.

Connecting urban area with rural hinterland: A stepwise ecological security network construction approach in the urban–rural fringe

Rapid and disordered urbanization has created a fragmented landscape, the urban–rural fringe (URF), which has led to the degradation of ecological connections between urban areas and rural hinterlands. The ecological security network (ESN) offers significant advantages for restoring interrupted urban–rural ecological processes. However, classic ESN construction approaches are ineffective in the URF when applied to a highly complex urbanization landscape. In this paper, a new approach for a stepwise ESN construction in the URF is proposed, which integrates the basic ESN and the connecting ESN to create an optimized ESN. Taking Xiamen as a case study, the ecological elements of the URF were extracted and reclassified for ESN construction. The scarcity of transitional patches and complexity of land cover were responsible for the lack of urban–rural connecting corridors. The final optimized ESN consisted of 19 source nodes with 7 rural structural corridors, 22 urban–rural connecting corridors, and 8 urban structural corridors. Moreover, the structural performance and spatial coverage of the ESN were both significantly improved after optimization. The optimal buffer widths of rural structural, urban–rural connecting, and urban structural corridors were 600 m, 180 m, and 120 m, respectively. This paper provides an operational framework of ESN construction adapted for the URF as well as management guidance for policymakers. It can support decisions for regulating urban growth and outlining ecological protection areas, thus contributing to sustainable urban development.

Geology of the Frontino-Morrogacho Gold Mining District and Metallogeny of the El Cerro Igneous Complex

The Frontino-Morrogacho gold district is located on the western flank of the Western Cordillera, NW of Antioquia Province. Gold mineralizations in the area are spatially and genetically associated with the cooling of three mid- to late-Miocene age intrusive centers in the form of stocks and dikes (12-9 Ma): Cerro Frontino, La Horqueta and Morrogacho (El Cerro Igneous Complex). These composite magmatic pulses, with ultramafic to intermediate compositions, vary into diorite-, gabbro- and monzonitic-bearing phases. Mineralization in the complex is present as several structurally controlled fault veins, shear-related veins, sheeted quartz extension veins and quartz-carbonate tabular extension veins, with the development of swarms and nests of veins-veinlets, breccias and stockworks. Structures range from centimeter-wide individual veinlets to several meter-wide swarms of veins developed within broad mineralized structural corridors, with a metallic signature that consists of Au + Ag + Cu + Zn + Pb + As (± Te ± Bi ± Sb ± Hg ± W) assemblages. Veins are composed of multiple stages of mineralization, and the formation of these structures is enhanced by the presence of a local regime of extension and E-trending structures, including evidence of faults and shear zones with right-lateral displacement, which are likely involved in pluton emplacement and cooling. The ore mineralogy is composed of pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena and arsenopyrite assemblages formed in two or more mineralization stages, with complex Bi, Te, Sb and Hg mineral specimens associated with Au and Ag. Mineralized structures of the district present a preferential E-strike with dominant vertical to subvertical and occasional subhorizontal S-dips and secondary N- and NW-strikes that are steep to vertically E-dipping.
 The Frontino-Morrogacho Gold district presents characteristics related to the architecture, mineralogy and alteration of reduced (ilmenite-series) intrusion-related gold systems but is genetically associated with a parental oxidized magma source. The gold content is associated with three different families involving electrum, tellurides and alloys: gold rich (66 to 78% Au, 22 to 34% Ag), average (50 to 60% Au, 40 to 50% Ag) and silver rich (32 to 40% Au, 60 to 68% Ag). The formation of these bodies is associated with an N-S magmatic-metallogenic trend of Au-Ag-Cu deposits, which extend for more than 300 km along the Western Cordillera of Colombia. Similar plutonic suites span from the south of Chocó Province to the north of Antioquia Province, which indicates that the Frontino-Farallones-Botón arc can be proposed as an individual metallogenic belt.

Identifying and setting the natural spaces priority based on the multi-ecosystem services capacity index

The loss and fragmentation of natural spaces in rapidly urbanized areas have greatly reduced their capacity to provide multiple ecosystem services (ESs). It is of great importance to identify natural spaces with key ecological functions, which are used to construct effective and efficient ecological networks, especially in urbanized areas where natural spaces are limited. This paper individually evaluated five key ESs provided by natural spaces in the Su-Jia-Hu area. By constructing an evaluation model coupling individual ESs, the multi-ecosystem service capacity index (MESC index) of each natural space was calculated. The index evaluation results showed that the overall level of ES supply was the highest in the two types of natural space, which were lakes and forests. The results of the clustering analysis on this basis showed that the natural space priority could be divided into six grades: the first grade was the large ecological conservation area, the second and third grades were the important ecological hubs, and the fourth, fifth and sixth grades were the potential stepping stones and structural corridors. The method based on the MESC index evaluation proposed here provided a scientific and repeatable framework for the identification and management of important natural spaces in ecological network planning and useful reference information for planners and decision makers.

Corridors best facilitate functional connectivity across a protected area network

Biologging data allow animal ecologists to directly measure species’ fine-scale spatiotemporal responses to environments, such as movement – critical for our understanding of biodiversity declines in the Anthropocene. Animal movement between resource patches is a behavioral expression of multiple ecological processes that affect individual fitness. Protected area (PA) networks are a tool used to conserve biodiversity by sustaining habitat patches across vast heterogeneous landscapes. However, our ability to design PA networks that conserve biodiversity relies on our accurate understanding of animal movement and functional connectivity; this understanding is rarely tested in real-world situations due to the large geographic expanse of most PA networks. Using a tractable PA network mesocosm, we employ cutting-edge biologging technology to analyze animal movement decisions in response to a highly heterogeneous landscape. We analyze these data to test, in a novel way, three common hypotheses about functional connectivity – structural corridors, least cost paths, and stepping stones. Consistently, animals moved along structurally self-similar corridors. In reference to the Aichi 2020 Biodiversity Targets, relying on species to “stepping stone” across habitat remnants may not achieve protected area network conservation objectives.

Regional crustal-scale structural control on epithermal deposits within the Hauraki Goldfield, Coromandel Volcanic Zone, New Zealand: insight from integrated geological and aeromagnetic structural patterns

ABSTRACTThe Hauraki Goldfield of the Coromandel Volcanic Zone (CVZ) hosts up to 50 adularia-sericite epithermal Au-Ag deposits that young towards the southeast and align within NNE-to-NE trending structural corridors. We jointly interpret regional aeromagnetic data and a compilation of available geological data to identify structures that have influenced mineralisation. Systematic processing of aeromagnetic data and ‘worming’ edge detection provides a means of linking deep-seated aeromagnetic patterns with surface geology. The > 80 km long NNW-trending Whangamata-Coromandel lineament that persists to > 3 km depth and the NW-SE-trending Martha-Thames lineament are spatially linked to zones of hydrothermal alteration and epithermal deposits. Similar correlations are seen with deeply sourced NNE-trending lineaments contiguous with shallow sourced anomalies here interpreted as fault-angle basins. Our results are consistent with a model in which inherited basement fabrics appear to have influenced the late Miocene-to-Present tectonic segmentation of the CVZ, with implications for the localisation of epithermal mineralisation.

Increasing prospectivity in a covered terrain – the southern Thomson Orogen, northwestern NSW

The Southern Thomson Project aims to advance understanding of tectonic history and mineral prospectivity of basement rocks of the southern Thomson Orogen beneath extensive Mesozoic and Cenozoic cover. The project area in northwestern New South Wales (NSW) and western Queensland is considered underexplored, with poor definition of structural corridors and mineral systems in the Palaeozoic rocks. This collaborative project between Geoscience Australia, the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW) and the Geological Survey of Queensland is acquiring and interpreting new geoscience data, including geophysical, geochemical, and isotopic investigations. Geophysical data interpretations and models have been tested through a program of stratigraphic drilling to provide basement cores for studies of petrology, geochronology, geochemistry, petrophysics and mineral systems. Downhole geophysical logging of the drillholes also aims to characterise the cover sequences and define depth to basement.Interpretation of regional aeromagnetic and gravity data and synthesis of existing mineral, water-bore and petroleum drillholes created a geological map of basement lithologies and structures. Stratigraphic drilling has targeted areas with no data to constrain lithologies or their ages, with four key areas selected for drilling in far northwestern NSW. Information on the thickness of cover sequences over resistive basement interpreted from AEM inversion models has proven useful during the selection of drilling locations.Seven stratigraphic drillholes were completed within NSW using a combination of mud rotary and diamond drilling. All holes penetrated surface regolith, as well as sedimentary rocks of the Eromanga Basin, to achieve approximately 50 metres of basement core for analyses. Resulting improvements to geological understanding and development of exploration techniques will be a keystone to progress future investigations in the southern Thomson Orogen.

Characteristics and variations of sinters in the Coromandel Volcanic Zone: application to epithermal exploration

ABSTRACTThe Hauraki Goldfield of the Coromandel Volcanic Zone, North Island, New Zealand, hosts up to 19 known siliceous hot spring deposits, or sinters, some directly associated with Au–Ag ore bodies, in a Miocene–Pliocene, sub-aerial, calc-alkaline volcanic arc overlying Jurassic meta-sedimentary basement. Sinters are surface expressions of predominately adularia-sericite epithermal systems, potentially linked to Au–Ag mineralised conduits at depth. They provide a paleosurface marker to determine the level of erosion, and help determine zones of thermal fluid upflow and/or lateral outflow. Mapped sinters of the Coromandel Volcanic Zone are mainly affiliated with rhyolite domes, occur along structural corridors of the volcanic arc, and contain characteristic textures, mineralogy and pathfinder elements typical of near-neutral pH alkali chloride fluid discharge derived from convectively circulating magmatic fluids diluted by meteoric waters. Textures and trace element compositions of the Coromandel sinters are similar to those of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand, and the Jurassic Au–Ag mining districts of the Deseado Massif, Argentine Patagonia. Thus, detailed mapping, textural analysis and trace-element studies demonstrate the prospecting potential of siliceous hot spring deposits for locating ore deposits, and in particular to help define proximal to distal positions relative to vent zones at the paleo-surface.

Geochronology of Mexican mineral deposits. VII: the Peña Colorada magmatic-hydrothermal iron oxide deposits (IOCG ‘clan’), Colima

Geochronology of Mexican mineral deposits. VII: the Peña Colorada magmatic-hydrothermal iron oxide deposits (IOCG ‘clan’), Colima

Subaqueous strombolian eruptions, and eruption-fed pyroclastic deposits in a Paleoproterozoic rifted-arc: Hidden formation, Flin Flon, Canada

The Hidden formation of the Paleoproterozoic Flin Flon arc assemblage comprises the stratigraphic hanging wall to the volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits at Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada. It represents a basaltic volcanic edifice erupted within a large subsidence structure developed in a rifted-arc environment. It is predominately pillow lavas with subordinated amounts volcaniclastic rocks.Rocks that stratigraphically overly the Schist and Mandy VMS deposits ∼5 km southeast of the main Flin Flon deposits have been correlated through litho- and chemo-stratigraphy with the Hidden formation. They display evidence of pyroclastic volcanism and concomitant subsidence. Pillow lavas, and hyaloclastite are unequivocal evidence of subaqueous eruption.The Hidden formation in the Schist – Mandy area comprises mafic tuff, mafic megabreccia, basalt lava, fluidal-clast breccia, and plagioclase crystal-rich volcaniclastic lithofacies, intruded by synvolcanic dikes and sills. The megabreccia lithofacies is characterized by angular basalt clasts (1–20 m) in a matrix of finer basalt clasts and is interpreted to have been deposited by mass flows due to slumping of the caldera wall. A within flow vertical transition in the lavas from massive to pillowed flows suggests a slowing of emplacement velocity, decrease in temperature, and an increase in the viscosity during eruption. Based on the monolithic nature of the fluidal-clast breccias, and the fluidal shapes of clasts, with delicate tails and intact glassy margins, they are interpreted to be the result of strombolian eruptions. An increase in the ingestion of water in the vent(s) lead to a change from magmatic to phreatomagmatic fragmentation. Planar and cross laminations, graded beds and the abundance of broken plagioclase crystals, in combination with scoria and lithic clasts suggest the mafic tuff and plagioclase crystal-rich volcaniclastic lithofacies were deposited by subaqueous, eruption-fed density currents derived from a phreatomagmatic eruption.Detailed mapping of the volcanic lithofacies in the Schist – Mandy area has facilitated the identification of synvolcanic faults defining inner caldera margins and volcanic vents. These structures when traced downwards through stratigraphy define structural corridors corresponding with the Schist and Mandy VMS deposits, indicating they represent long-lived structures that also acted as magmas and fluid pathways.

Riparian forest corridors: A prioritization analysis to the Landscape Sample Units of the Brazilian National Forest Inventory

In addition to sampling biophysical data in field plots, the Brazilian National Forest Inventory (NFI-BR) has a component dedicated to the study of Brazilian rural landscapes. The Landscape Sample Units (LSUs) are square areas of 100 km2, established in a regular grid of 40 × 40 km over the entire national territory, where habitat quality and spatial structure are characterized and evaluated. The LSUs’ evaluation scheme measures the fragmentation and connectivity of remnant forest patches as well as the spatial configuration of riparian zones. As part of these analyses we propose the use of integrated indices based on the structural connectivity of the riparian environments as forest corridors, the degree of human pressure acting on them and the protection schemes defined by the new Brazilian forest legislation. These indices are then turned into scores to make a ranking allowing for the identification of riparian priority areas for conservation and landscape restoration. Basic processing steps included the application of Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) to the LULC map of a pilot sample from the LSU dataset in the State of Paraná, in southern Brazil. The following indices have been calculated for 20 LSUs: Structural Corridors Index (SCc), which reveals the proportion of core and bridge MSPA categories within the riparian zone, the Structural Corridors under Pressure Index (CPc), that allows the identification of areas where structural corridors coexist with areas subject to anthropogenic influences and, finally, the Structural Corridors under Pressure Protection Index (UCPc), which identifies areas that function as corridors, being under anthropogenic pressure as well but with little or no legal protection, thus corresponding to priority areas for conservation. Among the 20 pilot LSUs studied, three of them are representative of a critical situation regarding conservation issues as they presented high values for indices CPc and UCPc, which denote areas with high anthropogenic influences and no environmental protection schemes. An important aspect of the proposed methodology is the possibility to identify and prioritize areas at different spatial scales, further aggregating the indices for LSU or larger political regions, such as micro and mesoregions of federal states.

Exploring structural and functional corridors for wild sheep (Ovis orientalis) in a semi-arid area

Although corridors have been the subject of extensive research in the recent years, the probable correlation between structural and functional corridors have not been addressed to date. To fill this scientific gap, we compared structural and functional corridors of wild sheep (Ovis orientalis) as a threatened species in a semi-arid area of central Iran. We first used Maximum-Entropy to develop wild sheep habitat suitability map. We then used Morphological-Spatial-Pattern-Analysis (MSPA) and circuit theory to map structural and functional corridors of wild sheep respectively. Bootstrapping techniques then were used to compare structural and functional corridors. We found that structural corridor is a concept which is dependent on the scale of observation. By changing edge-width from 600 to 1200 m, the total area of structural corridors increased by 63%. We also only found very small differences in the functional connectivity role of different MSPA categories (including structural corridors). All MSPA categories together accounted for only 20% of the functional connectivity. Although, in some cases functional corridors had a better performance in showing migration path of wild sheep between reserves, other cases showed that for effective conservation, both structural and functional corridors should be identified and considered in the planning step.

Uncertainties in the identification of potential dispersal corridors: The importance of behaviour, sex, and algorithm

Modelling landscape connectivity represents one of the central challenges for conservation of natural resources, especially in human dominated landscapes. Many different methods have been developed to this effect, but their assumptions and limitations have been largely ignored. Using high resolution GPS tracking data from brown bears (Ursus arctos) in central Italy, we investigated the influence of behavioural state (movement vs other behaviours), sex, and algorithms, namely least cost path and circuit theory, on the identification of structural corridors. In particular, considering that most studies does not account for behavioural states and/or individual characteristics, and that basically all studies consider only a single corridor algorithm, we performed (1) a within-algorithm comparison, under the hypothesis that both behavioural states and sex would influence prediction of structural corridors, and (2) a between-algorithm comparison, under the hypothesis that different algorithms would predict different corridors. We found that the impact of sex and/or behavioural state was substantial. On average, least cost path corridors for moving females were 4.7km apart (st.dev=7.6km) from corridors for moving males, and 5.0km apart (st.dev=7.2km) from corridors not considering sex and behaviour. The same was true for circuit theory corridors. The between-algorithm comparison showed that the two corridor models yielded almost identical results, with >80% of the least cost path corridors falling into the two top deciles for the corresponding circuit theory corridors.Our results suggest that the failure to consider an animal’s behavioural state and/or intraspecific differences may result in misidentification of corridors, with potential misallocation of the limited conservation resources available.

Deforestation analysis in protected areas and scenario simulation for structural corridors in the agricultural frontier of Western Bahia, Brazil

The aim in this paper was to evaluate the spatial distribution of protected areas defined by law and their importance as structural corridors. The study area was 7,559,783.69ha located in Western Bahia (Northeast Brazil), restricted to the limits of the Urucuia Group (Upper Cretaceous), where there is strong agribusiness growth. Currently, a major dilemma in Brazilian public policy arises from the conflicting interests of environmental conservation and increased food production. Brazilian environmental protection policies include the implantation of Protected Areas (Full Protection Units and Sustainable Use Units) and the adoption of the National Forest Act (Permanent Preservation Areas and Legal Reserves). In this context, we delimited illegal land-use in Permanent Preservation Areas (PPAs) adopting the intersection between land-use/land-cover data from PRISM/ALOS image classification for the years 2007–2010 and PPA vectors. We performed the temporal analysis in PAs considering land-use/land-cover data from Landsat TM image classification for the years 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2011. Finally, we performed a Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) to evaluate whether PPAs alone are sufficient as structural corridors. Hypothetical scenarios were simulated to increase the potential of PPAs as structural corridors. The calculation of MSPA attributes was conducted considering 3 edge widths: 15m (1 pixel), 510m (34 pixels), and 1005m (67 pixels). Four scenarios were simulated, considering a gradual increase in preserved areas. The results show that illegal land use is contained within PPA and protected areas. The scenario simulations present alternatives to increase the connectivity of the fragments and ensure the maintenance of ecological and hydrological services. Rapid agricultural expansion without proper landscape planning can compromise the sustainability of ecosystem services and the recharge zone of the Urucuia aquifer.

Combining multiple tools to provide realistic potential distributions for the mouflon in Sardinia: species distribution models, spatial pattern analysis and circuit theory

Species distribution models (SDMs) are commonly used to predict potential species distribution in ecology, biogeography, and conservation. However, the lack of consideration for many different aspects of the species’ ecology often result in maps of limited practical value. Yet the wealth of information that is often available (especially for larger vertebrates) could help improve these models. Here, considering the mouflon ( Ovis aries ) in Sardinia as a case study, we propose a new integrated approach based on different aspects of the species ecology. In particular, we combined an SDM calibrated with an ensemble modelling approach with a morphological spatial pattern analysis and a model of structural connectivity. With this approach it was possible to map at the same time the distribution of potentially suitable habitat patches (and particularly of those being able to host pregnant females) and of the structural corridors connecting these patches. Overall, while the SDM predicted that 14.5% (3480 km 2 ) of Sardinia was suitable for the presence of the mouflon, with our new integrated approach the percentage of areas suitable dropped to a much lower and more realistic 6.6% (1584 km 2 ). Our results have potentially important consequences for the practical conservation and management of the species in Sardinia.