Post on 31-Jul-2020
transcript
www.adas.co.uk
Review of Ecological
Network Principles
Synthesising review of the use of environmental
stewardship for restoring, maintaining and enhancing a
coherent ecological network in England
Ecological Networks
• Improve the quality of current sites
• Increase the size of current sites
• Enhance connections through corridors
or stepping stones
• Create new sites
• Reduce pressures by improving the
wider environment (buffering).
Clear terminology
Zetterberg (2009) Network based tools and indicators for landscape ecological assessments, planning and design
Habitat/resource
LINK TYPE 1 between habitats
(< home range diameter)
Movement readily possible within
daily routines
1. Species requires multiple
habitats/resources
2. All species’ requirements found in a
single habitat/resource type
RESOURCE
NETWORK
PATCH
(Contains a RESOURCE NETWORK
allowing one or more clusters of
reproductive units, not
necessarily a viable population)
LINK TYPE 2 between patches
(facilitating individual dispersal
movements, preventing
reproductive isolation)
(META-) POPULATION (viable
in isolation in the long-term)
Schematic showing network links relevant to the spatial organization of national populations that
could potentially be influenced by Environmental Stewardship (adapted from Zetterberg 2009)
Increasing spatial
scale of habitats and
temporal scale of
processes
META-POPULATION
LINK TYPE 3 between local
populations (making exchange
of genetic material at least
occasionally possible in the
long-term, e.g. over decades)
Habitat/resource
LINK TYPE 1 between habitats
(< home range diameter)
Movement readily possible within
daily routines
1. Species requires multiple
habitats/resources
2. All species’ requirements found in a
single habitat/resource type
RESOURCE
NETWORK
Schematic showing network links relevant to the spatial organization of national populations that
could potentially be influenced by Environmental Stewardship (adapted from Zetterberg 2009)
Increasing spatial
scale of habitats and
temporal scale of
processes
Habitat/resource
LINK TYPE 1 between habitats
(< home range diameter)
Movement readily possible within
daily routines
1. Species requires multiple
habitats/resources
2. All species’ requirements found in a
single habitat/resource type
RESOURCE
NETWORK
PATCH
(Contains a RESOURCE NETWORK
allowing one or more clusters of
reproductive units, not
necessarily a viable population)
Schematic showing network links relevant to the spatial organization of national populations that
could potentially be influenced by Environmental Stewardship (adapted from Zetterberg 2009)
Increasing spatial
scale of habitats and
temporal scale of
processes
Habitat/resource
LINK TYPE 1 between habitats
(< home range diameter)
Movement readily possible within
daily routines
1. Species requires multiple
habitats/resources
2. All species’ requirements found in a
single habitat/resource type
RESOURCE
NETWORK
PATCH
(Contains a RESOURCE NETWORK
allowing one or more clusters of
reproductive units, not
necessarily a viable population)
LINK TYPE 2 between patches
(facilitating individual dispersal
movements, preventing
reproductive isolation)
(META-) POPULATION (viable
in isolation in the long-term)
Schematic showing network links relevant to the spatial organization of national populations that
could potentially be influenced by Environmental Stewardship (adapted from Zetterberg 2009)
Increasing spatial
scale of habitats and
temporal scale of
processes
Habitat/resource
LINK TYPE 1 between habitats
(< home range diameter)
Movement readily possible within
daily routines
1. Species requires multiple
habitats/resources
2. All species’ requirements found in a
single habitat/resource type
RESOURCE
NETWORK
PATCH
(Contains a RESOURCE NETWORK
allowing one or more clusters of
reproductive units, not
necessarily a viable population)
LINK TYPE 2 between patches
(facilitating individual dispersal
movements, preventing
reproductive isolation)
(META-) POPULATION (viable
in isolation in the long-term)
Schematic showing network links relevant to the spatial organization of national populations that
could potentially be influenced by Environmental Stewardship (adapted from Zetterberg 2009)
Increasing spatial
scale of habitats and
temporal scale of
processes
(GENETIC) META-POPULATION
LINK TYPE 3 between local
populations (making exchange
of genetic material at least
occasionally possible in the
long-term, e.g. over decades)
Resources habitats separated, but within
home range of species (dashed line)
Resource networks (patch)
Resource habitats adjacent and within
home range of species (dashed line)
All resources provided by a single
habitat within home range of species
Resource network will support 1 or more reproductive units for a species
Patch Networks
Interchange of individuals between
patches (inter-generational).
Underpinning theory
A population of populations (Levins, 1969)
Persistence occurs if each patch contributes to the
persistence of at least one other patch
Extensions to classic theory
Variable patch size
Extensions to classic theory
Temporal and spatial structure
Metapopulations – Key messages
For all systems:
� Increasing patch quality & area
� Increasing connectivity
In ephemeral habitats:
� Increasing patch lifetime
� Increasing number of patches
BUT:
Spatial structure & species ecology will interact.
Applicability for multiple species situations.
Connectivity
Connectivity
� NO general solution that will benefit all species
� Need different connections according to scale of movement
� Location of patches within the landscape is most important in determining connectivity
Sources: Bennet (2003), Szabo et al. (2007)
Corridors as linkages
� Natural corridors preferred
� Corridors increase movement by up to 50%
� Movement through similar structure habitat preferred
BUT
� Mainly foraging movements (short distances and timescales)
Sources: Gilbert-Norton et al. (2010), Eycott et al. (2010,2012)
Linear features
� Can act as natural corridors?
� Anecdotal evidence of use
� Lack of empirical evidence
Softening the matrix
� Promote similar structure to habitat of species
� Limited evidence
� Increased resources increases biodiversity
Long-Distance dispersal
Connectivity – Key messages
� Need to understand ecology of species� Foraging behaviour
� Dispersal behaviour
� Importance of landscape structure� Interacts with species ecology
� Recognise importance of long distance dispersal
Priority management actions from review
Improvement of resource quality (within a patch) and area
� Restoration of degraded patches (restore habitat)� Management of habitat in patches to improve quality
� Buffering of adverse environmental effects
� Creation of new habitat in close proximity to existing sites
For Ephemeral habitats
� Management/buffering of disturbance to increase patch longevity
� Creation of new habitat in patches
Improvement of connectivity between resources (habitat) & patches
� Creation of corridor/stepping stone patches (creation)
� Increase amount and quality of linear habitats
� Soften the matrix by improving diversity of habitats in landscape (creation of habitat)
Similar conclusions and priorities to Lawton report
Differ in terms of scale - focus here on habitats (as resource sites) rather than protected sites.
Connectivity is considered at multiple spatial scales (between habitats and between patches)
Conceptual Mapping of Ecological
Benefits from Environmental
Stewardship
Capturing the knowledge about ES
and Ecological Network Principles
• Many studies on the effectiveness of
Environmental Stewardship for it’s objectives
• Many studies on conservation of species and
habitats
BUT
• Environmental Stewardship was not designed to
be part of the conservation network
• We need to identify how the outcomes of ES
support the conservation network
• 7 Degrees of
Kevin Bacon
• Social Network
Analysis
It’s a graph Jim but not as
we know it
• Comprised of objects where pairs of objects are
connected by links
• Can be directed (A-B ≠ B-A) or undirected (A-B ≡
B-A)
• Can be represented by a list of objects and a list
of links between pairs of objects
• Graphs can help capture information on and to
visualise complex systems
Graphs are in everyday
life
Conceptual Map
Example
Abstract: Vickery et al. (2009)Most arable field margins are sown grass strips which are limited in the avian food resources they offer
but potentially supply grass seeds and, depending on the complexity of the sward structure, a range of
arthropods. Adding perennial forbs to a grass mixture provides more diverse plant and invertebrate
food resources for birds. The availability of seeds and invertebrates on uncropped margins is strongly
influenced by management, particularly cutting, cultivation and herbicide use. Cropped margins with
reduced chemical inputs and wild bird cover crops can provide relatively high food resources
compared with a conventionally managed crop. However, resources are only present until harvest, their
plant communities are relatively poor and arthropod abundance is usually lower than in uncropped
margins.
The best winter food supplies for birds will be provided by options that create seed-rich habitats in
winter. The best summer food supplies will be provided by options that create a structurally and
floristically diverse sward. The least valuable margin in terms of food resources is a grass-only strip. On
an area-for-area basis, field margins will potentially produce food resources for birds more cost-
effectively than whole farm practices such as organic farming, though the value of margins will depend
on their management and the diversity of margin types at a farm scale. Because no single margin type
can provide the optimum year-round food supply, different types of margins should be incorporated
at the farm level, but appropriate management (and further innovation in margin design) is needed to
deliver their benefits. Field margins should be managed in conjunction with adjacent boundary
features, especially hedgerows, to create complex structures that maximise nesting opportunities for
birds and create habitats for a range of invertebrates.
Conceptual Map
(Vickery et al. 2009)
EN-ES Conceptual
Network
The work-in progress
Completed•Literature review of ES
options
•Inputted
• ES options
• Ecological Benefits
• Habitats
• Species list
To Do•Associate species with
benefits
•Associate benefits with
habitats (partial)
•Produce decision trees to
support the guidelines
Network Statistics
• 1098 Nodes
• 4080 Links
• 5 EN Principles
• 25 Habitats
• 202 ES Options
• 228 Ecological
Benefits
• 631
Species/Functional
Groups
• Rivers and Streams
• Coniferous Woodland
• Acid Grassland
• Calcareous Grassland
• Neutral Grassland
• Lowland Meadows
• Upland Hay Meadows
• Improved grassland
• Heathland
• Fen Marsh Swamp
• Bog
• Ponds
• Sand Dunes and Coastal Cliffs
Habitats
• Salt Marsh
• Scrub
• Moorland
• Farm Buildings
• Inland Rock
• Ditches
• Field Margins and Uncropped
Farmland
• Cropped Areas
• Hedgerows
• Stone Wall and Earth Bank
• Traditional Orchards
• Broadleaf and Mixed Woodland
Yellowhammer - Example
Marsh Fritillary - Example
Options associated with
management of grass sward
Direct and Indirect Benefits from EK3:
Permanent Grassland with v. low inputs
www.adas.co.uk
Guidelines for the use of ES
options in ecological networks
Part1: Selection of management
action priorities
Do plans for an
ecological network
exist?
Does the network
focus on habitats?
1. Restore degraded habitat *
2. Enhance linear features
3. Soften Matrix
Sufficient information
to identify key
limitations to
population?
Have focal species
been identified?
Use an assessment tool to target
ES option placement for resource
availability, resource connectivity
or patch connectivity
Is habitat ephemeral?
1. Manage disturbance to
increase habitat lifetime
2. Create new habitat in close
proximity to existing habitat
3. Restore degraded habitat
Do the skills exist to use GIS
mapping tools to identify
resource and patch networks?
Is the species limited
by resource
availability or
connectivity
Enhance patch connectivity:
1. Enhance linear features
2. Create stepping stones
3. Soften the matrix
Is limitation due
to resource
availability?
Enhance resource connectivity:
1. Create corridors (stepping stones)
2. Enhance linear features
3. Soften the matrix
Is habitat ephemeral?
1. Restore degraded habitats*
2. Create new habitat in close
proximity to existing resource
habitat
* For restoration of degraded habitat, buffering should be used where degradation is due to adverse environmental disturbance
Resources habitats separated, but within
home range of species (dashed line)
Resource networks (population patch)
Resource habitats adjacent and within
home range of species (dashed line)
All resources provided by a single
habitat within home range of species
Resource network will support a population of a species
(at least 1 reproductive unit)
Limitation: Resource Availability
For non-ephemeral habitats:
1. Restore degraded (resource) habitat� Select ES options to achieve desired management
� Buffer adverse environmental disturbance
2. Create new (resource) habitat� In close proximity to existing (resource) habitat (i.e. within home range diameter)
For Ephemeral habitats:
1. Manage disturbance to increase lifetime of habitat� Select ES options to achieve desired management
� Buffer adverse environmental disturbance
2. Create new (resource) habitat� In close proximity to existing (resource) habitat (i.e. within home range diameter)
3. Restore degraded habitat
Limitation: Resource connectivity
1. Create stepping stones/corridors� Within home range diameter
2. Improve/enhance linear habitats� Especially if species known to us linear habitats for
movement
3. Soften the matrix (increase habitat diversity)� Within home range diameter
� Structurally similar to resource habitat(s)
Do plans for an
ecological network
exist?
Does the network
focus on habitats?
1. Restore degraded habitat *
2. Enhance linear features
3. Soften Matrix
Sufficient information
to identify key
limitations to
population?
Have focal species
been identified?
Use an assessment tool to target
ES option placement for resource
availability, resource connectivity
or patch connectivity
Is habitat ephemeral?
1. Manage disturbance to
increase habitat lifetime
2. Create new habitat in close
proximity to existing habitat
3. Restore degraded habitat
Do the skills exist to use GIS
mapping tools to identify
resource and patch networks?
Is the species limited
by resource
availability or
connectivity
Enhance patch connectivity:
1. Enhance linear features
2. Create stepping stones
3. Soften the matrix
Is limitation due
to resource
availability?
Enhance resource connectivity:
1. Create corridors (stepping stones)
2. Enhance linear features
3. Soften the matrix
Is habitat ephemeral?
1. Restore degraded habitats*
2. Create new habitat in close
proximity to existing resource
habitat
* For restoration of degraded habitat, buffering should be used where degradation is due to adverse environmental disturbance
Patch Networks
Interchange of individuals between
patches (inter-generational).
Separation must be less than
dispersal distance.
Limitation: Patch Connectivity
1. Increase patch size
� Effectively increasing resource network size /
connecting resources
2. Connect patches
� Improvement/enhancement of linear features
� Create stepping stones/corridors
� Soften matrix (improve diversity of landscape)
Do plans for an
ecological network
exist?
Does the network
focus on habitats?
1. Restore degraded habitat *
2. Enhance linear features
3. Soften Matrix
Sufficient information
to identify key
limitations to
population?
Have focal species
been identified?
Use an assessment tool to target
ES option placement for resource
availability, resource connectivity
or patch connectivity
Is habitat ephemeral?
1. Manage disturbance to
increase habitat lifetime
2. Create new habitat in close
proximity to existing habitat
3. Restore degraded habitat
Do the skills exist to use GIS
mapping tools to identify
resource and patch networks?
Is the species limited
by resource
availability or
connectivity
Enhance patch connectivity:
1. Enhance linear features
2. Create stepping stones
3. Soften the matrix
Is limitation due
to resource
availability?
Enhance resource connectivity:
1. Create corridors (stepping stones)
2. Enhance linear features
3. Soften the matrix
Is habitat ephemeral?
1. Restore degraded habitats*
2. Create new habitat in close
proximity to existing resource
habitat
* For restoration of degraded habitat, buffering should be used where degradation is due to adverse environmental disturbance
Selection of options
� Options classified by management option and broad habitat type supported
…HeathlandGrasslandWoodlandManagement Priority
…………….
…HO4, HO5, HL11,
…
HK6-8, HK16-
17, …
HC9, HC17,
HC21 …
Create New Habitat
…EE 1-8, HE 1-6,
HE10-11, EE12
…
EE 1-8, HE 1-
6, HE10-11,
EE12 …
EE 1-8, HE 1-6,
HE10-11, EE12,
EC24 - 25 …
Restore Degraded Habitat
- Buffering
…EK2, EL6, HO1 –
HO3, UL22, …
HL 9-10, HK
16-17 …
EC3,OC3,HC15-
16, HC7 …
Restore Degraded Habitat
/ Manage habitat
disturbance regime -
Management
Broad Habitat Types
Linkages - placement constraints
Type 1: Link between resources
(<= home range diameter)
WITHIN-PATCH
Type 2: Link between patches
(<= inter-generational dispersal
distance)
BETWEEN PATCHES
Species functional groups
Species Functional Groups
>36
14-36
8-14
4-8
2.5-4
1-2.5
0.4-1
0-0.4
Home Range
Diameter (km)
50-150
150-1000
>1000
10-50
5-10
1-5
0.1-1
0-0.1
>3515-357-153-71-3<1Home Range
(km2)
Dispersal Capability (km)
Species Functional Groups
>36
14-36
8-14
4-8
2.5-4
1-2.5
0.4-1
0-0.4
Home Range
Diameter (km)
50-150
150-1000
>1000
10-50
5-10
1-5
0.1-1
0-0.1
>3515-357-153-71-3<1Home Range
(km2)
Dispersal Capability (km)
Birds
Mam
mals
Invertebrates + Reptiles + Amphibians
Characterised by:
large & open fields
for growing cereal
crops.
Characterised by:
smaller & enclosed
grassland fields for
grazing and silage.
Seasonally important
resources:
•Arable margins – EE2-3, EE8-9, EF1; HE10, HF20
•Cereal headlands – EF9-11; HF14
•Cereal-based wholecrop silage – EG4
•Ditches – EB6-7; HB14
•Hedges – EB1-3, EB14; HB11-12
•Hedges and ditches – EB8-10
•Ryegrass seed-set – EK20
•Scrub – EC4, EK1; HC15-16
•Scrub creation – HC17
•Spring cereal – EG1; HG7
•Supplementary seed – EF23; HF14
•Wild bird crops – EF2, HF12
•Wild flower strips – EF4, EE12; HE10
•Winter stubble – EF6, EF15, EF22; HG5-6
•Uncropped cultivated area – EF13
Species
All relevant ES options
What are the
network limitations for
this species?
Question
Landscape context
Yellowhammer
Fenland
arable
farm
Devon
pastoral farm
Farm context
TYPE II
between patches:
Effectively creating new
sites
Hedges –
EB1-3,
EB14;
HB11-12
Ditches
–
EB6-7;
HB14
Arable margins –
EE2-3, EE8-9, EF1;
HE10, HF20Hedges
and
ditches –
EB8-10
Supplementary
seed –
EF23;
HF14
Wild flower
strips –
EF4, EE12;
HE10
Cereal headlands –
EF9-11;
HF14
Ryegrass seed-set –
EK20
Wild bird
crops –
EF2;
HF12
* For Type I links: complete networks by
adding missing features where most
required habitats are already present.
TYPE I* within resource network:
Improve local-scale connections between
habitats (local land-use heterogeneity) to
enhance habitat quality
WINTER
SPRING/SUMMER
Winter
Habitat
Quality
New farm-scale
sites with features
identified under
Type I
Breeding habitat (foraging)
Breeding habitat (nesting)
New farm-scale
sites with features
identified under
Type I
TYPE II
between patches:
Effectively creating new
sites
TYPE I* within resource network:
Improve local-scale connections between
habitats (local land-use heterogeneity) to
enhance habitat quality
Winter
Habitat
Quality
Breeding habitat (nesting)
Bullfinch
Characterised by:
large & open fields
for growing cereal
crops.
Characterised by:
smaller & enclosed
grassland fields for
grazing and silage.
Seasonally important
resources:
Species
What are the
network limitations for
this species?
Question
Landscape context
Fenland
arable
farm
Devon
pastoral farm
Farm context
TYPE II between patches:
Enhance habitat quality and
connectivity, and potentially create
new breeding habitat
Wild bird crops –
prefer kale and
quinoa
EF2;
HF12
TYPE I within resource
network
WINTER
SPRING/SUMMER
Winter
Habitat
Quality
All relevant ES options
Hedges –
EB1-3,
EB14;
HB11-12
Farm woodland creation –
HC9-10
Hedges and ditches –
EB8-10
Farm woodland –
HC12-14, HC7-8
Type I links not relevant –
All resources in one habitatType I links not relevant –
All resources in one habitat
Winter
Habitat
Quality
•Farm woodland – HC12-14, HC7-8
•Farm woodland creation– HC9-10
•Hedges – EB1-3, EB14; HB11-12
•Hedges and ditches – EB8-10
•Scrub – EC4, EK1; HC15-16
•Scrub creation – HC17
•Wild bird crops – EF2, HF12
Scrub creation
–
HC17Scrub –
EC4, EK1;
HC15-16
TYPE II between patches:
Enhance habitat quality and
connectivity, and potentially create
new breeding habitat
TYPE I within resource
network
www.adas.co.uk
Decision support tools
for ecological networks
Least Cost Modelling
Least Cost Modelling
Benefits
� Uses standard GIS software
� Uses existing land cover data
� Able to consider multiple species
� Can account for ecology of species
Drawbacks
� Limited knowledge of movement costs
� Currently only single species considered
LARCH – Landscape Ecological Analysis and
Rules for the Configuration of Habitat
LARCH – Landscape Ecological Analysis and
Rules for the Configuration of Habitat
Benefits
� Ecologically based
� Uses existing mapping
Drawbacks
� Not publicly available
� Needs specialist interpretation
� Need for high level of ecological knowledge
� Single species at a time
MulTyLink
MulTyLink
Benefits
� Suitable for multiple species
� Freely available software(http://pascal.iseg.utl.pt/~rbras/MulTyLink/)
Drawbacks
� Large amount of pre-processing of data
� Use of costs to movement (expert opinion)
� Only identifies a single solution
� Utility depends on resolution of data (grid-based)
Other Spatial Decision Support Tools
WDC0794 – review of spatial DSTs
� Primarily concerned with ecosystem services
NatureServe Vista
� GIS toolbox
� Identifies important ecosystems
� Assess impact according to a change scenario
Polyscape
� GIS toolbox
� Incorporates least cost modelling for habitat connectivity
� Multi-objective
Breakout Session Questions� How can the guidelines be improved?
� Is the format correct?
� Are they detailed enough?
� Are they easy to use?
� Are there key scenarios for which refined guidelines should be produced?
� What options should be used to enhance grassland butterflies?
� Best methods for enhancing connectivity of habitats?
� Are there key species/species groups the guidelines should be focussed on?
� Farmland birds?
� Grassland butterflies?
� Woodland mammals?
� What are the key needs in terms of tools for network planning?� Identification of resource networks?
� Identification of patch networks?
� Easy to use?
� No specialist knowledge required?