On the limitations of graph‐theoretic connectivity in spatial ecology and conservation

摘要: Summary 1. Applications of graph-theoretic connectivity are increasing at an exponential rate in ecology and conservation. Here, limitations these measures summarized. 2. Graph-theoretic fundamentally limited as they require specification a habitat quality threshold to allow definition patches (nodes). Frequently, second (critical dispersal distance) is applied the identification graph edges. 3. Graph-theoretic poorly applicable large-scale, high-resolution, grid-based data that describe distributions species habitats varying quality. 4. Graph-theoretic primarily concerns emigration-immigration component spatial population-dynamics. Therefore, it cannot alone answer questions about regional population size, resilience or persistence focal species. 5.Synthesis applications: Conservation managers particular should appreciate before applying analysis conservation planning.