Integration of a connectivity approach in habitat conservation planning

Abstract

Landscape connectivity is considered as a key issue for biodiversity conservation and natural ecosystems stability. The state of landscape connectivity defines the degree with which the landscape facilitates or impedes movement among resource patches. Habitat modelling coupled with connectivity analysis based on graph theory provides a spatial operational approach to an integrative landscape management. The approach provides maps showing the connectivity status of different patches within the landscape matrix. The project was carried out by the Landscape ecology-modelling group working at Irstea in conjunction with naturalist experts from the National Forest Office (ONF) and Bird Protection Leagues (LPO) from the Drôme and Isère Departments (France). Two species of wild horseshoe bats were studied in the regional nature park of Vercors. The work is part of the MocHab project ("Modelling of species distribution: a tool for habitat evaluation, conservation and ecological connectivity"). The French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy (MEDDE) financed it.