Comparing Connectivity in Forest Networks of Seven Metropolitan Cities of South Korea

Abstract

This quantitative research aims to examine the connectivity of forest networks in seven metropolitan cities of South Korea using a graph-theoretical approach. We first estimated an overall network connectivity at multi-scales (i.e., dispersal distances), ranging from 100 m to 20 km, and quantified the contribution of small forest patches (less than 10 ha) to the overall network connectivity by comparing networks according to the presence and absence of small ones. As a result, the cities were divided into two groups depending on the network connectivity; one group of cities with high connectivity such as Daegu, Daejeon, and Ulsan and the other group of cities with low connectivity including Gwangju, Busan, Seoul, and Incheon. The result showed that small forest patches, especially in the cities with low connectivity, played a key role as stepping stones that connect large forested patches, thereby contributing to maintaining connectivity. This study also suggests that large and well-connected forest areas may be the key factor to preserve the connectivity in the cities with high connectivity, while the cites with low connectivity are in need of some complementary strategies. Through the study, we suggest that the creation of new forest patches in the areas where a gap in connectivity presents is needed in order to improve connectivity; and that the conservation of the existing small forest patches is essential in order to maintain the current connectivity level.

Corridor and Network Analyses of Forest Bird Habitats in a Metropolitan Area of South Korea

“…. 단절된 생태계를 연결하는 것은 기후변화에 대한 도시와 자연생태계의 적응도를 높이는데 있어서도 중요시되고 있다 (Opdam and Wascher, 2004;Crooks and Sanjayan, 2006 (Taylor et al, 1993), 구조적 연결성과 기능적 연결성의 두 가지 관점에서 볼 수 있다 (Baguette and Van Dyck, 2007 (Fall et al, 2007;Kang et al, 2012 (Kang and Park, 2011;Kang et al, 2014), 생물종의 최소비용경로 분석을 통해 광역 생태축을 제시하였다 (Lee et al, 2008;Lee et al, 2011 (Theobald et al, 2006;McRae et al, 2008;Pinto and Keitt, 2009 (Urban et al, 2009;Laita et al, 2011;Theobald et al, 2011 (1) (Andrén, 1994;Fahrig, 2001 -------------------------= Fig. 2.…”