New study reveals key habitat patches for wildlife conservation priorities.
Habitat patch prioritization for landscape connectivity conservation can differ depending on the type of distance measurement used. Comparing least-cost path distance and resistance distance, researchers found that the role of a patch in facilitating animal movement can be overestimated by least-cost path distance for short- and medium-distance dispersal. However, considering alternative routes can help identify key connectors for long-term species dispersal. Prioritizing based on dispersal probability can highlight critical restoration areas, while least-cost path distance can pinpoint landscape areas needing improvement for individual animal movement. The choice of distance measurement method can impact how functional connectivity is evaluated, so conservation strategies should be tailored to specific population needs and goals.