Implication of modelling choices on connectivity estimation: A comparative analysis

Fuente: arXiv
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Autores principales: Soret, Marie, Moulherat, Sylvain, Lenormand, Maxime, Luque, Sandra
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2024
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author Soret, Marie
Moulherat, Sylvain
Lenormand, Maxime
Luque, Sandra
author_facet Soret, Marie
Moulherat, Sylvain
Lenormand, Maxime
Luque, Sandra
contents We focus on connectivity methods used to understand and predict how landscapes and habitats facilitate or impede the movement and dispersal of species. Our objective is to compare the implication of methodological choices at three stages of the modelling framework: landscape characterisation, connectivity estimation, and connectivity assessment. What are the convergences and divergences of different modelling approaches? What are the implications of their combined results for landscape planning? We implemented two landscape characterisation approaches: expert opinion and species distribution model (SDM); four connectivity estimation models: Euclidean distance, least-cost paths (LCP), circuit theory, and stochastic movement simulation (SMS); and two connectivity indices: flux and area-weighted flux (dPCflux). We compared outcomes such as movement maps and habitat prioritisation for a rural landscape in southwestern France. Landscape characterisation is the main factor influencing connectivity assessment. The movement maps reflect the models' assumptions: LCP produced narrow beams reflecting the optimal pathways; whereas circuit theory and SMS produced wider estimation reflecting movement stochasticity, with SMS integrating behavioural drivers. The indices highlighted different aspects: dPCflux the surface of suitable habitats and flux their proximity. We recommend focusing on landscape characterisation before engaging further in the modelling framework. We emphasise the importance of stochasticity and behavioural drivers in connectivity, which can be reflected using circuit theory, SMS or other stochastic individual-based models. We stress the importance of using multiple indices to capture the multi-factorial aspect of connectivity.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2407_09564
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Implication of modelling choices on connectivity estimation: A comparative analysis
Soret, Marie
Moulherat, Sylvain
Lenormand, Maxime
Luque, Sandra
Quantitative Methods
We focus on connectivity methods used to understand and predict how landscapes and habitats facilitate or impede the movement and dispersal of species. Our objective is to compare the implication of methodological choices at three stages of the modelling framework: landscape characterisation, connectivity estimation, and connectivity assessment. What are the convergences and divergences of different modelling approaches? What are the implications of their combined results for landscape planning? We implemented two landscape characterisation approaches: expert opinion and species distribution model (SDM); four connectivity estimation models: Euclidean distance, least-cost paths (LCP), circuit theory, and stochastic movement simulation (SMS); and two connectivity indices: flux and area-weighted flux (dPCflux). We compared outcomes such as movement maps and habitat prioritisation for a rural landscape in southwestern France. Landscape characterisation is the main factor influencing connectivity assessment. The movement maps reflect the models' assumptions: LCP produced narrow beams reflecting the optimal pathways; whereas circuit theory and SMS produced wider estimation reflecting movement stochasticity, with SMS integrating behavioural drivers. The indices highlighted different aspects: dPCflux the surface of suitable habitats and flux their proximity. We recommend focusing on landscape characterisation before engaging further in the modelling framework. We emphasise the importance of stochasticity and behavioural drivers in connectivity, which can be reflected using circuit theory, SMS or other stochastic individual-based models. We stress the importance of using multiple indices to capture the multi-factorial aspect of connectivity.
title Implication of modelling choices on connectivity estimation: A comparative analysis
topic Quantitative Methods
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.09564