Ecological connectivity as a planning tool for the conservation of wildlife in cities

Holly Kirk; Kylie Soanes; Marco Amati; Sarah Bekessy; Lee Harrison; Kirsten Parris; Cristina Ramalho; Rodney van de Ree; Caragh Threlfall

doi:10.1016/j.mex.2022.101989

Ecological connectivity as a planning tool for the conservation of wildlife in cities

Holly Kirk^*, Kylie Soanes, Marco Amati, Sarah Bekessy, Lee Harrison, Kirsten Parris, Cristina Ramalho, Rodney van de Ree, Caragh Threlfall

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

263 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The application of ecological theory in urban planning is becoming more important as land managers focus on increasing biodiversity to improve human welfare in cities. Authorities must decide not only what types of biodiversity-focused infrastructure should be prioritized, but also where new resources should be positioned and existing resources protected or enhanced. Measuring the contribution of green infrastructure to landscape connectivity can maximise the successful return and conservation of urban nature. By using ecological connectivity theory as a planning tool, the effect of different interventions (both positive and negative) on the ease with which wildlife can move across the landscape can be compared. Here we outline an approach to a) quantify ecological connectivity for different urban wildlife species and b) use this to test different urban planning scenarios using QGIS. We demonstrate extensions which improve the application of this method as a planning tool:

• Conversion of the effective mesh size value (m_eff) to a “probability of connectedness” (P_c, for easier interpretation by local government and comparisons between planning scenarios).

• An approach for measuring species-specific connectivity, including how to decide what spatial information should be included and which types of species might be most responsive to connectivity planning.

• Guidance for using the method to compare different urban planning scenarios.

Original language	English
Article number	101989
Pages (from-to)	1-12
Number of pages	12
Journal	MethodsX
Volume	10
Early online date	4 Jan 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2022.101989
Publication status	Published - 2023
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2023. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

Applied ecology
Biodiversity conservation
Nature in the city
Urban planning

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10.1016/j.mex.2022.101989

Publisher version (open access)Final published version, 1.9 MBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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title = "Ecological connectivity as a planning tool for the conservation of wildlife in cities",

abstract = "The application of ecological theory in urban planning is becoming more important as land managers focus on increasing biodiversity to improve human welfare in cities. Authorities must decide not only what types of biodiversity-focused infrastructure should be prioritized, but also where new resources should be positioned and existing resources protected or enhanced. Measuring the contribution of green infrastructure to landscape connectivity can maximise the successful return and conservation of urban nature. By using ecological connectivity theory as a planning tool, the effect of different interventions (both positive and negative) on the ease with which wildlife can move across the landscape can be compared. Here we outline an approach to a) quantify ecological connectivity for different urban wildlife species and b) use this to test different urban planning scenarios using QGIS. We demonstrate extensions which improve the application of this method as a planning tool: • Conversion of the effective mesh size value (meff) to a “probability of connectedness” (Pc, for easier interpretation by local government and comparisons between planning scenarios). • An approach for measuring species-specific connectivity, including how to decide what spatial information should be included and which types of species might be most responsive to connectivity planning. • Guidance for using the method to compare different urban planning scenarios.",

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AU - Harrison, Lee

AU - Parris, Kirsten

AU - Ramalho, Cristina

AU - van de Ree, Rodney

AU - Threlfall, Caragh

N1 - Copyright the Author(s) 2023. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

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N2 - The application of ecological theory in urban planning is becoming more important as land managers focus on increasing biodiversity to improve human welfare in cities. Authorities must decide not only what types of biodiversity-focused infrastructure should be prioritized, but also where new resources should be positioned and existing resources protected or enhanced. Measuring the contribution of green infrastructure to landscape connectivity can maximise the successful return and conservation of urban nature. By using ecological connectivity theory as a planning tool, the effect of different interventions (both positive and negative) on the ease with which wildlife can move across the landscape can be compared. Here we outline an approach to a) quantify ecological connectivity for different urban wildlife species and b) use this to test different urban planning scenarios using QGIS. We demonstrate extensions which improve the application of this method as a planning tool: • Conversion of the effective mesh size value (meff) to a “probability of connectedness” (Pc, for easier interpretation by local government and comparisons between planning scenarios). • An approach for measuring species-specific connectivity, including how to decide what spatial information should be included and which types of species might be most responsive to connectivity planning. • Guidance for using the method to compare different urban planning scenarios.

AB - The application of ecological theory in urban planning is becoming more important as land managers focus on increasing biodiversity to improve human welfare in cities. Authorities must decide not only what types of biodiversity-focused infrastructure should be prioritized, but also where new resources should be positioned and existing resources protected or enhanced. Measuring the contribution of green infrastructure to landscape connectivity can maximise the successful return and conservation of urban nature. By using ecological connectivity theory as a planning tool, the effect of different interventions (both positive and negative) on the ease with which wildlife can move across the landscape can be compared. Here we outline an approach to a) quantify ecological connectivity for different urban wildlife species and b) use this to test different urban planning scenarios using QGIS. We demonstrate extensions which improve the application of this method as a planning tool: • Conversion of the effective mesh size value (meff) to a “probability of connectedness” (Pc, for easier interpretation by local government and comparisons between planning scenarios). • An approach for measuring species-specific connectivity, including how to decide what spatial information should be included and which types of species might be most responsive to connectivity planning. • Guidance for using the method to compare different urban planning scenarios.

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KW - Nature in the city

KW - Urban planning

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ER -

Ecological connectivity as a planning tool for the conservation of wildlife in cities

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