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Three‐dimensional habitat structure and landscape genetics: a step forward in estimating functional connectivity
Author(s) -
Milanesi P.,
Holderegger R.,
Bollmann K.,
Gugerli F.,
Zellweger F.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.1002/ecy.1645
Subject(s) - landscape connectivity , habitat , biological dispersal , habitat fragmentation , ecology , landscape ecology , land cover , fragmentation (computing) , geography , wildlife corridor , ecotope , biology , land use , population , demography , sociology
Estimating connectivity among fragmented habitat patches is crucial for evaluating the functionality of ecological networks. However, current estimates of landscape resistance to animal movement and dispersal lack landscape‐level data on local habitat structure. Here, we used a landscape genetics approach to show that high‐fidelity habitat structure maps derived from Light Detection and Ranging (Li DAR ) data critically improve functional connectivity estimates compared to conventional land cover data. We related pairwise genetic distances of 128 Capercaillie ( Tetrao urogallus ) genotypes to least‐cost path distances at multiple scales derived from land cover data. Resulting β values of linear mixed effects models ranged from 0.372 to 0.495, while those derived from Li DAR ranged from 0.558 to 0.758. The identification and conservation of functional ecological networks suffering from habitat fragmentation and homogenization will thus benefit from the growing availability of detailed and contiguous data on three‐dimensional habitat structure and associated habitat quality.