Network analysis to assess landscape connectivity trends: Application to European forests (1990–2000)

摘要: Landscape networks and ecosystems worldwide are undergoing changes that may impact in different ways relevant ecological processes such as gene flow, pollination, or wildlife dispersal. A myriad of indices have been developed to characterize landscape patterns, but not all them equally suited evaluate temporal connectivity is increasingly needed for biodiversity monitoring operational indicator delivery. Relevant advancements this direction recently proposed based on graph theoretical methods analyze network the measurement habitat availability at scale. Building from these developments, we modify a recent index present equivalent connected area (ECA) index, defined size single patch (maximally connected) would provide same probability than actual pattern landscape. The ECA can be directly compared with total area. This allows additional straightforward insights degree which gains losses amount beneficial deleterious by affecting elements uphold wider context. We demonstrative example application interpretation approach monitor functional connectivity. focus trends European forests province level period 1990–2000 Corine land cover data, considering both forest spatial average permeability matrix. was rather stable over most study area, slight overall increase Europe. However, few countries regions concentrated remarkably high analyzed period, particularly those low cover. species traits also affected responses changes, were more prominent limited dispersal abilities. conclude discussing potential consistent delivery, well limitations possibilities variety situations, required quantitative tools freely available open source projects.