Landscape connectivity studies in latin america: Research challenges

Abstract

Currently, landscape connectivity studies are key in spatial planning for ecosystems conservation. Nevertheless, there are only a few studies that give empiric data about the positive effects of connectivity on terrestrial conservation ecosystems. In this piece of the research, we present a review of the literature of connectivity on four recently identified research topics carried out from 2000 to 2018 in Latin America. We identify the current stage, recent advance and challenges about connectivity knowledge. The scientific review used several databases on the web, from wich we selected 217 articles. The selected publications were included in a database considering: A) publication year, b) research type, c) country studied, d) ecosystem studied and f) and research aims. Our results depicted that connectivity studies focus on the topics: A) in restoration planning, b) land cover/land use change modeling and planning and c) ecosystem services. Nevertheless, the publications about connectivity and climate change have been limited. We also identified some publications tackling two or three topics simultaneously: A) land cover/land use change modeling and planning with restoration planning, b) ecosystem services with climate change, and c) restoration planning with climate change. However, there is a necessity to increase the connectivity research on Latin America.