Searching to improve connectivity in fragmented landscapes: Road verges as complementary habitats

IF 2 3区环境科学与生态学 Q3 ECOLOGY

Applied Vegetation Science Pub Date : 2024-04-18 DOI:10.1111/avsc.12773

Fernanda Santibañez, Malena Sabatino, Lucas A. Garibaldi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Aims

Functional connectivity is crucial for conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services in fragmented landscapes. Linear landscape elements play an important role in providing refuge for plants and pollinators, as well as serving as biological corridors. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of road verges in maintaining the ecological connectivity of plant species assemblages in the Tandilia mountain system.

Location

South America, Southern Pampa region of Argentina, Tandilia mountain system.

Methods

Using graph theory, landscape connectivity was quantified both at landscape scale and at the patch scale using the probability connectivity index (PC_num), taking into account the dispersal ability of observed species. The contribution of each landscape element to habitat availability and connectivity was evaluated using different fractions of the PC_num metric. Likewise, the influence of connectivity variables in explaining species assemblages grouped by functional categories was investigated using canonical ordination techniques.

Results

The inclusion of road verges led to an 81% increase in overall connectivity at a threshold distance of 500 m. Connectivity significantly explained the assemblages of entomophilous plant species for all dispersal distances. Annual species assemblage variation was associated with intra-patch connectivity. Variation in perennial and shrub species assemblages was explained by intra-patch and inter-patch connectivity.

Conclusions

Preservation and restoration of these linear landscape elements play a pivotal role in transitioning toward more sustainable agroecosystems. This ecological and practical information may help prioritize plant species and the sites used to restore an essential but neglected ecosystem.

Abstract Image

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在支离破碎的景观中寻找改善连通性的方法：路边作为互补栖息地

目的功能连通性对于保护破碎景观中的生物多样性和生态系统服务至关重要。线性景观要素在为植物和传粉昆虫提供庇护以及充当生物走廊方面发挥着重要作用。本研究的目的是评估路缘带在维持坦迪利亚山系植物物种群生态连通性方面的重要性。地点南美，阿根廷南潘帕地区，坦迪利亚山系。方法利用图论，使用概率连通性指数（PCnum）对景观尺度和斑块尺度的景观连通性进行量化，同时考虑到观察到的物种的扩散能力。利用 PCnum 指标的不同分数来评估各景观要素对生境可用性和连通性的贡献。同样，利用典型排序技术研究了连通性变量在解释按功能类别分组的物种组合方面的影响。结果在阈值距离为 500 米时，道路边缘的加入使整体连通性提高了 81%。连通性极大地解释了所有扩散距离上的嗜昆虫植物物种组合。年度物种组合变化与区块内的连通性有关。斑块内和斑块间的连通性解释了多年生和灌木物种组合的变化。结论保护和恢复这些线性景观要素在向更可持续的农业生态系统过渡方面起着关键作用。这些生态学和实用信息有助于确定植物物种的优先次序以及用于恢复这一重要但被忽视的生态系统的地点。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Applied Vegetation Science 环境科学-林学

CiteScore

6.00

自引率

10.70%

发文量

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： Applied Vegetation Science focuses on community-level topics relevant to human interaction with vegetation, including global change, nature conservation, nature management, restoration of plant communities and of natural habitats, and the planning of semi-natural and urban landscapes. Vegetation survey, modelling and remote-sensing applications are welcome. Papers on vegetation science which do not fit to this scope (do not have an applied aspect and are not vegetation survey) should be directed to our associate journal, the Journal of Vegetation Science. Both journals publish papers on the ecology of a single species only if it plays a key role in structuring plant communities.