IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i5p2647-d508708.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Connectivity Predicts Presence but Not Population Density in the Habitat-Specific Mountain Lizard Iberolacerta martinezricai

Author

Listed:
  • Diego Lizana-Ciudad

    (Section of Zoology, Department of Animal Biology, Parasitology, Ecology, Edaphology and Agronomic Chemistry, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, University of Salamanca, 37071 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Víctor J. Colino-Rabanal

    (Section of Zoology, Department of Animal Biology, Parasitology, Ecology, Edaphology and Agronomic Chemistry, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, University of Salamanca, 37071 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Óscar J. Arribas

    (Ntra. Sra. de Calatañazor 17 b, 42004 Soria, Spain)

  • Miguel Lizana

    (Section of Zoology, Department of Animal Biology, Parasitology, Ecology, Edaphology and Agronomic Chemistry, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, University of Salamanca, 37071 Salamanca, Spain)

Abstract

The Batuecan lizard Iberolacerta martinezricai is a critically endangered species due to its significantly reduced distribution, which is restricted to the scree slopes (SS) of a few mountain peaks within the Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Natural Park (western Spain). Given its high specialisation in this type of discontinuous habitat, the long-term conservation of the species requires maintaining the connectivity between populations. This study analyses the contribution of connectivity, as well as other patch-related factors, in the distribution and density patterns of the species. With this aim, 67 SS were sampled by line transects from May to October 2018. Each SS was characterised using variables indicative of the microhabitat conditions for the lizard. Inter-SS connectivity was quantified using graph theory for seven distances. Generalised linear models (GLMs) were performed for both presence and density. Model results showed that while connectivity was a relevant factor in the presence of lizards, density only involved patch-related variables. Discrepancies probably occurred because the factors influencing presence operate on a wider scale than those of abundance. In view of the results, the best-connected SS, but also those where the lizard is most abundant and from which more dispersed individuals are likely to depart, seem to be the essential patches in any conservation strategy. The results may also be relevant to other species with habitat-specific requirements.

Suggested Citation

  • Diego Lizana-Ciudad & Víctor J. Colino-Rabanal & Óscar J. Arribas & Miguel Lizana, 2021. "Connectivity Predicts Presence but Not Population Density in the Habitat-Specific Mountain Lizard Iberolacerta martinezricai," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2647-:d:508708
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/5/2647/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/5/2647/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chloe F Sato & Jeff T Wood & David B Lindenmayer, 2013. "The Effects of Winter Recreation on Alpine and Subalpine Fauna: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(5), pages 1-11, May.
    2. Scott D. Watkins & Patrick L. Anderson, 2007. "Introduction," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Scott D. Watkins & Patrick L. Anderson (ed.), The State Economic Handbook 2008 Edition, pages 1-3, Palgrave Macmillan.
    3. Bodin, Örjan & Saura, Santiago, 2010. "Ranking individual habitat patches as connectivity providers: Integrating network analysis and patch removal experiments," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 221(19), pages 2393-2405.
    4. Maggini, Ramona & Lehmann, Anthony & Kéry, Marc & Schmid, Hans & Beniston, Martin & Jenni, Lukas & Zbinden, Niklaus, 2011. "Are Swiss birds tracking climate change?," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(1), pages 21-32.
    5. Paul R. Elsen & William B. Monahan & Adina M. Merenlender, 2020. "Topography and human pressure in mountain ranges alter expected species responses to climate change," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Nicoletta Cannone & M. Guglielmin & P. Convey & M. R. Worland & S. E. Favero Longo, 2016. "Vascular plant changes in extreme environments: effects of multiple drivers," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 134(4), pages 651-665, February.
    2. Muhallil Abtahee & Afra Anika Islam & Md. Nazmul Haque & Hasan Zonaed & Samiha Mahzabin Ritu & Sk Md Imdadul Islam & Atiq Zaman, 2023. "Mapping Ecotourism Potential in Bangladesh: The Integration of an Analytical Hierarchy Algorithm and Geospatial Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-28, July.
    3. Roy, Arijit & Bhattacharya, Sudeepto & Ramprakash, M. & Senthil Kumar, A., 2016. "Modelling critical patches of connectivity for invasive Maling bamboo (Yushania maling) in Darjeeling Himalayas using graph theoretic approach," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 329(C), pages 77-85.
    4. Qian Zuo & Yong Zhou & Jingyi Liu, 2022. "Construction and Optimization Strategy of an Ecological Network in Mountainous Areas: A Case Study in Southwestern Hubei Province, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-27, August.
    5. Chiara Richiardi & Maria Rita Minciardi & Consolata Siniscalco & Maria Adamo, 2023. "Cumulative Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Anthropogenic Impacts in the Protected Area of the Gran Paradiso National Park in the NW Alps, Italy," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-21, May.
    6. Zhicong Zhao & Pei Wang & Xiaoshan Wang & Fangyi Wang & Tz-Hsuan Tseng & Yue Cao & Shuyu Hou & Jiayuan Peng & Rui Yang, 2022. "A Protected Area Connectivity Evaluation and Strategy Development Framework for Post-2020 Biodiversity Conservation," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-17, September.
    7. Di Febbraro, Mirko & D’Amen, Manuela & Raia, Pasquale & De Rosa, Davide & Loy, Anna & Guisan, Antoine, 2018. "Using macroecological constraints on spatial biodiversity predictions under climate change: the modelling method matters," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 390(C), pages 79-87.
    8. Hui Ye & Zhaoping Yang & Xiaoliang Xu, 2020. "Ecological Corridors Analysis Based on MSPA and MCR Model—A Case Study of the Tomur World Natural Heritage Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-15, January.
    9. Yunfang Jiang & Shidan Jiang & Tiemao Shi, 2020. "Comparative Study on the Cooling Effects of Green Space Patterns in Waterfront Build-Up Blocks: An Experience from Shanghai," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-29, November.
    10. Rui Ding, 2019. "The Complex Network Theory-Based Urban Land-Use and Transport Interaction Studies," Complexity, Hindawi, vol. 2019, pages 1-14, June.
    11. Almpanidou, Vasiliki & Mazaris, Antonios D. & Mertzanis, Yorgos & Avraam, Ioannis & Antoniou, Ioannis & Pantis, John D. & Sgardelis, Stefanos P., 2014. "Providing insights on habitat connectivity for male brown bears: A combination of habitat suitability and landscape graph-based models," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 286(C), pages 37-44.
    12. Susanne Hoffmann & Francis G. Caro & Alison S. Gottlieb & Iris Kesternich & Joachim K. Winter, 2014. "Contributions of Second Opinions, Outcome Forecasts, and Testimonials to Patient Decisions about Knee Replacement Surgery," Medical Decision Making, , vol. 34(5), pages 603-614, July.
    13. Tanisha Tate Woodson, "undated". "Using a Culturally Responsive and Equitable Evaluation Approach to Guide Research and Evaluation," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 778ced8d63674edaa154b81a8, Mathematica Policy Research.
    14. Wojciech W. Charemza & Yuriy Kharin & Vladislav Maevskiy, 2014. "Bilinear Forecast Risk Assessment for Non-systematic Inflation: Theory and Evidence," Dynamic Modeling and Econometrics in Economics and Finance, in: Frauke Schleer-van Gellecom (ed.), Advances in Non-linear Economic Modeling, edition 127, pages 205-232, Springer.
    15. Iván Barbero-Bermejo & Gabriela Crespo-Luengo & Ricardo Enrique Hernández-Lambraño & David Rodríguez de la Cruz & José Ángel Sánchez-Agudo, 2020. "Natural Protected Areas as Providers of Ecological Connectivity in the Landscape: The Case of the Iberian Lynx," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.
    16. Arie Y. Lewin & Henk W. Volberda, 1999. "Prolegomena on Coevolution: A Framework for Research on Strategy and New Organizational Forms," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 10(5), pages 519-534, October.
    17. Ahmad Abedi & Sara Aghababaei & Adeleh Sharbaf Zadeh & Nasrin Zamani, 2014. "Development of Executive Functions in 5- to 12- Years old Iranian Children with and without ADHD," Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 4(2), pages 134-134, November.
    18. Gonçalo Pacheco-de-Almeida & Peter Zemsky, 2007. "The Timing of Resource Development and Sustainable Competitive Advantage," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 53(4), pages 651-666, April.
    19. Richard Heaney, 1990. "Australian All Ordinaries Share Price Index Futures and Random Walks," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 15(1), pages 129-149, June.
    20. Liu, Shiliang & Yin, Yijie & Liu, Xuehua & Cheng, Fangyan & Yang, Juejie & Li, Junran & Dong, Shikui & Zhu, Annah, 2017. "Ecosystem Services and landscape change associated with plantation expansion in a tropical rainforest region of Southwest China," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 353(C), pages 129-138.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2647-:d:508708. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.