Quantifying landscape connectivity using probability of connectivity response curves

Maintenance of habitat connectivity is recommended as a method of promoting biodiversity. A systematic manipulation of a simple theoretical landscape was used to assess how a landscape connectivity index responded to specific changes in habitat distribution. Quantifying the response of the index to changes in the spatial scale of dispersal is proposed as a method of objectively quantifying multiple aspects of landscape structure known to influence habitat connectivity. An ecosystem simulation model was used to assess if the index demonstrated the same patterns of response to changes in complex landscapes, and to quantify impact of logging distribution, roads, natural disturbances and habitat corridors. The high degree of sensitivity to the presence of roads, and the scale of response to different management scenarios highlight the value of the proposed index, and the sensitivity to the assumptions of habitat delineation used in index calculation.connectivitylandscape ecologyforestrybiodiversit