Identifying priority areas for conservation based on the evaluation of ecological network resilience in the Hyrcanian Forest ecosystem.

Abstract

Habitat loss and fragmentation in forest ecosystems are serious threats that lead to reduced resilience. The integrity and stability of the ecosystem are fostered by recognizing and protecting areas that are essential to maintaining the resilience of the ecological network. Research in the field of ecological network resilience has garnered attention in recent years, although the necessity of developing various assessment methods for network resilience is evident. Taking the Hyrcanian Forest ecosystem as a case study, this research aimed to identify the most important areas of the ecological network in maintaining and enhancing the resilience. To achieve this goal, first, a combination of the morphological spatial pattern analysis method and the assessment of the significance of ecosystem services was used to extract ecological source areas. Next, utilizing circuit theory and the least-cost path method, a network connecting sources was constructed, and pinch points were identified. After that, high-risk areas in ecological sources were found using the habitat risk assessment method. Using this integrated approach leads to the identification of valuable areas that are vulnerable to human threats and disturbances. Finally, the node removal method coupled with the calculation of network resilience indices, connectivity, and efficiency was employed to prioritize conservation areas. The results of the study indicated that the most important nodes were located in the northern edges of the forest, which have been under threat in recent years. Additionally, the region ranked moderately in terms of connectivity, indicating the importance of focusing on the conservation of forest patches before the complete fragmentation of the area. Furthermore, our findings underscore the importance of considering landscape connectivity and ecological network resilience in conservation planning for policymakers and managers aiming to protect biodiversity in the Hyrcanian Forest ecosystem.