Incorporating movement behavior into connectivity assessments

Abstract

Abstract Context The number of publications that evaluate or utilize landscape connectivity has grown dramatically in recent years. In contrast, the biological realism and defensibility of common connectivity assessments has advanced slowly. Objectives I introduce a flexible methodology for evaluating landscape connectivity that accounts for potentially complex movement behavior and nuanced species-landscape interactions. Methods Making use of a forested landscape map, I develop the concepts and mechanics behind my connectivity assessment tools. I then describe a case study involving the Fender’s blue butterfly, and utilize this example to demonstrate the character and utility of my methods. Results My methods are able to identify clusters of connected resource patches, quantify and visualize movement rates between these patches, and identify connectivity-related opportunities and vulnerabilities. My results include an emergent dispersal kernel that captures the influence of movement behavior on connectivity. Conclusions The methods I introduce are capable of generating detailed yet practical connectivity analyses that can incorporate considerable biological and behavioral realism. My approach is straightforward, simple to implement, and the requisite data can be modest. Conclusions drawn using my methods will help identify limitations to connectivity analyses developed using circuit models.