Beyond network-based approaches: uncovering the true cost of connectivity.
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| Title: | Beyond network-based approaches: uncovering the true cost of connectivity. |
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| Authors: | Argote, Karolina1 (AUTHOR), Geslin, Benoît1,2 (AUTHOR), Hernandez-Possémé, Lucyle3 (AUTHOR), Queru, Mailys1 (AUTHOR), Santonja, Mathieu1 (AUTHOR), Albert, Cécile H.1 (AUTHOR) cecile.albert@imbe.fr |
| Source: | Landscape Ecology. Aug2026, Vol. 41 Issue 8, p1-15. 15p. |
| Abstract: | Context: Fragmented landscapes challenge biodiversity conservation. While connectivity elements are promoted to mitigate the effects of fragmentation, their effectiveness remains debated. Objectives: This study evaluates the effectiveness of corridors and stepping stones in enhancing dispersal success and population dynamics in a high-resistance matrix. We compare two experimental approaches: a landscape-based design that explicitly accounts for matrix resistance, and a traditional network-based design in which habitat patches are connected by tubes. Methods: We conducted a laboratory experiment using the microarthropod model Folsomia candida, manipulating fragmentation by varying the distance between four habitat patches embedded in a high-resistance matrix. Connectivity elements (corridors and stepping stones) were tested and compared with unconnected landscapes (control) and network-based designs. Over 12 weeks, we monitored colonization success, population size, reproduction rate, and adult survival using AI-based image analysis. Results: The presence of corridors as a connectivity element enhanced the colonization of initially empty patches, but their effectiveness was distance-dependent. Stepping stones did not differ from the non-connected control landscapes. Interestingly, the largest total populations were found in the non-connected control landscapes, where restricted dispersal resulted in higher reproduction, indicating a trade-off between movement and reproduction. The highest mortality of released adults was observed in landscapes with corridors, whereas higher recruitment was observed in stepping stones landscapes. Network-based designs yielded a higher population size in initially empty patches compared to landscape-scale designs. However, as they bypassed matrix-related dispersal costs, they led to a miss-estimation of the movement, reproduction, survival and recruitment processes. Conclusions: Connectivity elements can support dispersal and reproduction, but may also increase mortality in resistant matrices. Conservation strategies should incorporate matrix resistance and landscape-scale context to better promote population dynamics in fragmented landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Database: | Energy & Power Source |
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