Landscape resistance index aiming at functional forest connectivity

Abstract

The terrestrial surface is the basis for defining the species dispersion paths and overcoming the matrix resistance. In this approach, connecting paths with high levels of integrity must avoid barriers and anthropized areas. In this context, the main objective of this study was to develop the Landscape Resistance Index based on environment integrity. It was developed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), supported by the criteria of Land Surface Temperature, Nighttime Reflectance, and Inverted NDVI, which are called observed variables. The landscape studied in the Green Belt Biosphere Reserve of São Paulo has suffered from urban sprawl. However, it has significant remnants of the Atlantic Forest, which is a biodiversity hotspot. Our results indicated criteria variability in the landscape, however, modeled through the SEM, obtaining a significant adjustment of the Landscape Resistance Index, with CFI of 1.00 and RMSEA of 0.00. The index reflects the resistance levels of the land-use/land-cover, expressed by the class interval, ranging from 0% (1.73) to 100% (493.88), with the highest values associated with the anthropized uses and forest isolation. This way, the index based on environmental attributes reflects the structure of functional forest connectivity, supporting the planning design of forest corridors across landscapes.