Analysis of the ecological connectivity of protected areas through the landscape of the department of Caqueta, Colombia

Abstract

The loss of the landscape connectivity translates into a decrease in the joint functioning of the ecological flows or processes that are found on said landscape. In the Caquetá department, in the south of Colombia, there are 13 protected areas that cover 38.50% of their area, their ecological function is given thanks to the interaction of the elements of the Andes-Amazon system. Showing up next is the ecological connectivity index calculation to now the status of the protected areas connectivity in this department. The index is calculated from the analysis and cartographic inputs construction which allow to identify each landscape elements behavior grouped in five planetary systems, every element demonstrates the extent to which it favors or not the propagation of flows, that is, if they are favored, it is understood that the landscape is connected. The landscape elements demonstrated a systemic behavior since they interrelate with each other and show that in a higher percentage the flows are favored and have a high movement while in a lower value the flows present moderate or difficult movements, this was reflected in that the 99% of the protected areas are connected, it was also identified that this value depends almost entirely on the extension and state of conservation of the elements around and within the PNN Serranía de Chiribiquete, also that the percentage of disconnected protected area is located especially in the San Vicente del Caguán and Cartagena del Chairá municipalities.