Influence of land-use/land-cover change on landscape connectivity for an endemic threatened amphibian (Argenteohyla siemersi pederseni, Anura: Hylidae)

SCHIVO, FACUNDO; MATEO-SÁNCHEZ, MARÍA CRUZ; BAUNI, VALERIA; QUINTANA, RUBÉN DARÍO

LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2020

0921-2973

Context Modifications in natural landcover generally result in a loss of habitat availability for wildlifeand it?s persistence will depend largely on their spatialconfiguration and functional connections. Argenteohyla siemersi is a threatened and endemic amphibianwhose habitat is composed of forest patches nearrivers and water bodies edges.Objectives This study aimed to analyse the accessible habitat for this species and identify key elements tomaintain its ecological network in two different typesof land uses: an anthropized area with extensive cattleraising and a protected area.Methods The structural and functional characteristics of both landscapes were analyzed. The connectivity at landscape level and the contribution of eachhabitat patch were evaluated through simulationmodels with different dispersion distances in thecontext of the graph theory.Results In both landscapes, nine types of landcoverwere identified with different compositions. Remarkable differences were found in habitat connectivity forthis amphibian species between both landscapes. Asthe percentage of dispersion distance increases,reachable habitat increases as well, although withhigher percentages in the protected area. Two corridors were identified in the protected landscape and onein the rangeland one; patches and key links constitutedall of them.Conclusions The present work provides spatiallyexplicit results with a quantitative basis. It could beuseful as a tool for the development of managementplans aimed at guaranteeing the functionality of theecological network for this endangered species and,therefore, contribute to its long-term conservation.