Comment on functional landscape connectivity for a select few: Linkages do not consistently predict wildlife movement or occupancy. Autumn R. Iverson, David Waetjen, Fraser Shilling
Ecological connectivity is essential for biodiversity conservation, yet the best strategy—protecting linkages or enhancing landscape permeability—depends on species, goals and context. Responding to Iverson et al., the authors argue that linkage plans still provide critical guidance for prioritizing areas for protection and management. They emphasize that connectivity models remain effective when validation methods align with model objectives and assumptions. Misaligned validation can lead to misleading conclusions. The paper outlines best practices for connectivity model validation, including careful consideration of data types, expectations and landscape context, to strengthen the science and application of connectivity planning.
Subject Tags
- Conservation Planning
- Large scale protection
- Wildlife
Abstract
Ecological connectivity is increasingly acknowledged as crucial for biodiversity conservation. Iverson et al. suggest that increasing stewardship to ensure permeability is a better approach than protecting linkages between protected areas. We argue that the optimal approach depends on the landscape context, conservation goals and species involved and suggest that linkage plans can prioritize specific places for protection and improved management. However, when using connectivity models as predictive tools, model validation is vital. We commend Iverson et al. for assessing whether modeled linkages were important predictors of species presence. We disagree, though, with the authors’ conclusion that their findings challenge the theory and practice of modeling linkages and explain that the reason may be the misalignment of the validation assumptions with model objectives. We offer our perspective on best practices for conducting validation studies and note factors to consider with respect to data used for model validation and model expectations.
Citation
Iverson, A. R., Waetjen, D., & Shilling, F. (2024). Functional landscape connectivity for a select few: Linkages do not consistently predict wildlife movement or occupancy. Landscape and Urban Planning, 243, 104953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2024.105217
TNC Authors
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Melissa Clark
Director of Resilience Science
The Nature Conservancy
Email: melissa_clark@tnc.org -
Kimberly R. Hall
Climate Change Ecologist
The Nature Conservancy
Email: kimberly.hall@tnc.org -
Aaron Jones
Spatial Data Scientist, New Mexico
The Nature Conservancy
Email: ajones@tnc.org -
Erin E. Poor
Landscape Ecologist
The Nature Conservancy
TNC Authors
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Carrie Schloss
Lead Climate Scientist, California
The Nature Conservancy
Email: cschloss@tnc.org -
Trish Smith
Senior Ecologist, California
The Nature Conservancy
Email: trish_smith@tnc.org