A GIS-based model for the analysis of ecological connectivity

A model for the calculation of Potential Ecological Network at regional level has been presented in this paper. Through the use of GIS techniques and Natural Protected Areas and Land Use Map GIS datasets, the proposed model links two Ecological Network approaches (Species-Specific and Land Units) using the Least - Cost Path (LCP) algorithm. The nodes of the Ecological Potential Network have been analyzed using the Graph Theory. Specific GIS workflows have been set up to model the ecological connectivity in problematic mapping conditions, such as under road bridges and on the riverbanks. The main workflow requires a rasterization of the input datasets to allow the LCP algorithm application. The variations of the pixel resolution have been analyzed in terms of accuracy of the output and computation time of the model. The results underline an emerging property of Potential Ecological Networks, the Secondary Nodes, which are a set of nodes at the intersection of Linkages built by the LCP algorithm.