Identifying potential conservation areas in the Cuitzeo Lake basin, Mexico by multitemporal analysis of landscape connectivity
Por:
Ayram, CAC, Mendoza, ME, Salicrup, DRP, Granados, EL
Publicada:
1 oct 2014
Resumen:
Lake Cuitzeo basin is an important ecological area subjected to strong
human pressure on forest covers that are key elements for the long-term
support of biodiversity. We studied landscape connectivity changes for
the years 1975, 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2008 to identify potential
conservation areas in the basin. We modeled potential distributions of
the Mexican bobcat (Lynx rufus escuinapae) and the ring-tail
(Bassariscus astutus) - two terrestrial mammal focal species with
contrasting dispersal capacities and we determined their habitat
availability and suitability in the basin. We then identified their
optimal habitat patches and produced landscape cumulative resistance
maps, estimated least-cost paths (graph theory approach), and elaborated
current flow maps (circuit theory approach). For evaluation of landscape
connectivity, we applied an integral index of connectivity (IIC) to each
study period, and determined individual habitat patch contribution to
the overall landscape connectivity. The IIC index had very low values
associated with reduced availability of focal species habitat. However,
our study showed the conservation importance of the surface of optimal
habitat patch areas. The combined application of a graph-based approach
and current flow mapping were useful, and complementary both in terms of
estimating potential dispersal corridors and identifying high
probability dispersal areas. This indicated that landscape connectivity
analysis is a useful tool for identification of potential conservation
areas and for local landscape planning. (C) 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All
rights reserved.
Filiaciones:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Ctr Invest Geog Ambiental, Morelia 58190, Michoacan, Mexico
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Ctr Invest Ecosistemas, Morelia 58190, Michoacan, Mexico
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Invest Metalurgicas, Dept Geol & Mineral, Morelia 58190, Michoacan, Mexico
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