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Using Circuit Theory to Identify Important Ecological Corridors for Large Mammals Between Wildlife Refuges     
Yazarlar (2)
Arş. Gör. Büşra KALLECİ Arş. Gör. Büşra KALLECİ
Türkiye
Doç. Dr. Özkan EVCİN Doç. Dr. Özkan EVCİN
Kastamonu Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Devamını Göster
Özet
Habitat fragmentation restricts the movement of large mammals across broad landscapes, leading to isolation of individuals or groups, reduced interaction with other species, and limited access to vital resources in surrounding habitats. In this study, we aimed to determine the wildlife ecological corridors for five large mammals (Ursus arctos, Cervus elaphus, Capreolus capreolus, Sus scrofa, and Canis lupus) between Kastamonu Ilgaz Mountain Wildlife Refuge and Gavurdağı Wildlife Refuge. In the field studies, we used the transect, indirect observation, and camera-trap methods to collect presence data. Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) (v. 3.4.1) software was used to create habitat suitability models of the target species, which are based on the presence-only data approach. The results indicated that AUC values varied between 0.808 and 0.835, with water sources, stand type, and slope contributing most significantly to model performance. In order to determine wildlife ecological corridors, resistance surface maps were created using the species distribution models (SDMs), and bottleneck areas were determined. The Circuit Theory approach was used to model the connections between ecological corridors. As a result of this study, we developed connectivity models for five large mammals based on Circuit Theory, identified priority wildlife ecological corridors, and evaluated critical connection points between two protected areas, Ilgaz Mountain Wildlife Refuge and Gavurdağı Wildlife Refuge. These findings highlight the essential role of ecological corridors in sustaining landscape-level connectivity and supporting the long-term conservation of wide-ranging species.
Anahtar Kelimeler
biodiversity | conservation | ecological modelling | landscape connectivity | MaxEnt | Türkiye | wildlife management
Makale Türü Özgün Makale
Makale Alt Türü SSCI, AHCI, SCI, SCI-Exp dergilerinde yayınlanan tam makale
Dergi Adı Diversity
Dergi ISSN 1424-2818 Wos Dergi Scopus Dergi
Dergi Tarandığı Indeksler SCI-Expanded
Dergi Grubu Q2
Makale Dili Türkçe
Basım Tarihi 08-2025
Cilt No 17
Sayı 8
Doi Numarası 10.3390/d17080542
Makale Linki https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/8/542