Applying graph theory to design networks of protected areas: Using inter-patch distance for regional conservation planning

Abstract

Protected Areas alone may not be large enough to sustain viable populations; thus an alternative is establishing effective networks of protected areas (NPAs). When data on functional connectivity are scarce, landscape structure is viable way to evaluate landscape connectivity. Here we applied the graph approach at the regional scale (Rio de Janeiro state) to design NPAs to conserve several terrestrial mammal species. We used Euclidean and effective distances to compare the number of connections for each protected area. We found that inter-patch distance is a useful metric to design NPAs. Moreover, some protected areas are critically isolated, as indicated by the effective distance. Although several studies use data and models of high specificity, most of them are local and few can be immediately applied for conservation purposes. The methodology used here can help in planning NPAs in a straightforward way providing practitioners with simple analyses and few landscape data. © 2011 ABECO.