Use of Centrality Metrics to Protect Wildlife Ecology and Habitat Connectivity Analysis

Abstract

Aim of study: Aim of this study was to conduct a habitat connectivity analysis using centrality metrics to protect the regional wildlife-habitat connections of the Siirt landscape, and to ensure the continuity of ecological flows in the landscape. Area of study: Increasing urbanisation trend in recent years and human impact on natural resources cause the diversity in Siirt landscape to be negatively affected. Centrality metrics were sampled in Siirt landscape in terms of re-establishing and maintaining the connectivity in the landscape. Material and methods: Environmental Plan was used to define the core areas. Land cover/land uses were digitised using Geographical Information Systems. Firstly, landscape connectivity corridors defined with least-cost-path and secondly, current flow centrality was used with circuit theory. Main results: The core area with the strongest flow centrality was forest, with a value of 14.6, and the core area with the weakest flow centrality was marsh at 8.23. The core areas that establish the easiest and strongest connection with each other are wetland-pasture, pasture-geologically reserved area, and pasture ecological area. Highlights: The greater the distance between core areas, the weaker the degree of connectivity between species and habitats. Increasing the distance between core areas negatively affects the ecological flow.