Functional connectivity for silvogenesis in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Miller) plantations as a base towards an effective landscape biodiversity strategy in southern Apulia (Italy)

This study is based on the hypothesis that early silvigenetic processes occurring in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Miller) plantations in southern Apulia (Italy) are favoured by the presence of bird species acting as vectors for broadleaved species colonisation. The aim of the work has been to assess the degree of functional connectivity of Aleppo pine plantations with respect to these vectors. A combination of modelling procedures were applied, one derived from the maximum-entropy principle (MaxEnt), the other form graph theory (Conefor Sensinode 2.2). Results suggest that the use of MaxEnt in combination with the Conefor Sensinode 2.2, not only overcomes the need to make subjective expert judgments about habitat suitability, but also improves the conceptual performance of the Conefor Sensinode 2.2 algorithm itself when “least-cost distance” algorithms are not applicable. The rationale of the model adopted by this software is based on a simplistic patch-corridor-matrix conceptual model. MaxEnt assumes the more realistic landscape continuum one by considering environmental (i.e. context relevant) variables in conjunction to each landscape element. The conceptual and operational switch from the ecological network model to the more realistic ecological continuity model might have crucial consequences for maintaining biodiversity at landscape scale, especially the role such perspectives could play in complementing the protected area network strategies.