Multi-species ecological network based on asymmetric movement: Application in an urban rural fringe

Abstract

Ecological network (EN) is a popular approach for biodiversity conservation, which aims to facilitate animal movement between habitats. However, asymmetric movement caused by the subjectivity of animals and environment heterogeneity is seldom considered in EN design. To design EN based on asymmetric movement, an individual-based model, PDArunner, is developed, which can identify corridors based on explicit movement paths. Since the urban–rural fringe is susceptible to landscape change, a multi-species EN based on asymmetric movement is designed for Jinnan district, Tianjin, China by simulating movement of Mustela sibirica, Spilopelia chinensis and Gallinula chloropus using PDArunner. Asymmetric movement is partitioned based on the size of departure and arrival habitats. Asymmetric corridors are thus identified based on movement in particular direction. In Jinnan, successful transfer rate of focal species from small to large habitat increases with difference in habitat size. The spatial extent of asymmetric corridors is more concentrated for G. chloropus. There are more corridors from large to small habitats than in the opposite direction, especially for S. chinensis and G. chloropus. There are more one-way corridors for S. chinensis and G. chloropus than M. sibirica. Perceptible high vegetation coverage places with large enough contrast to environment are suggested to be consecutive within 50 m for M. sibirica in Jinnan, which also benefits S. chinensi. G. chloropus can benefit from well-conserved water quality and quantity. A cross-administration collaboration is also highlighted for large scale conservation.