Analysis of functional ecological connectivity across selected landscapes in Prince Edward Island, Canada

Abstract

Habitat fragmentation and habitat loss are two of the largest threats to biodiversity in the modern age. Because of this, the study of how animals move between patches of fragmented habitats is crucial to being able to plan for the protection and conservation of species and habitats. I conducted a functional connectivity analysis of barriers to movement for three species with different movement types and habitat requirements- northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus), pickerel frog (Lithobates palustris), and smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis) - in four different regions across the eastern Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, which has seen a significant reduction in natural areas since the 19th century. Resistance maps were created for each species using critical habitat components and the open-source toolbox Linkage Mapper was used to find the least-cost paths, barriers, and pinchpoints between core habitat areas in each region. I used the Linkage Pathways tool to find least-cost pathways between core habitat areas, Barrier Mapper tool to find areas where restoration could occur, and Pinchpoint Mapper tool to locate where movement could occur between core habitat areas outside of the least-cost path. I also compared this functional connectivity analysis to previous structural methods used on the island. I found that the cost-weighted distance and effective resistance for movement for the species varied by study region, and that O. vernalis was the least aligned with structural connectivity flow outputs. This analysis can assist landscape planners and environmental managers in making future conservation decisions