This tool is designed to produce ecological networks for a range of target habitat/species types. The tool draws upon information relating to a) the minimum size a habitat patch has to be to support a population of the target species (MVA) and b) the dispersal distance of the target species from these MVA patches (in m). Depending on the target species type dispersal is handled as either a) the euclidean distance or b) cost distance from MVA patches.
Cost distance refers to the total distance a species can move from a source patch in a landscape which incorporates habitat-specific costs associated with navigating through that landscape - for instance a badger will move more freely (lower associated cost) through a woodland or natural grassland environment in contrast to more artificial surfaces like roads or urban landscapes
Least cost analysis concept - a source dataset (MVA patches) is combined with a dataset showing the cost associated with moving through the different habitat types in a given landscape. The result of this marriage is a cost-distance dataset which records the cost associated with moving a given distance from an MVA patch
MVA habitat concept - illustrative graphic
Step 1 - First select a focal habitat type
Step 2 - Then select a minimum viable area value (MVA)
Step 3 - Once the MVA is selected press the 'lock MVA' button
Step 4 - Next select a dispersal distance for the target species
Step 5 - Finally once all the input parameters are set click on the 'Generate networks' button
Additional information
If you are happy with the final network shown you can export this as a .tif which will allow you to view it in a GIS or as a .jpg. To do this click on either the 'Export latest networks' or 'Export latest networks as image' buttons
Network and total landscape summary metrics
The following will provide descriptions for each of the column titles in the summary tables
Network metrics
Netid: The unique id given for each network created during the modelling
netarea(HA): The total area (in hectares) calculated for each separate network produced
Patcharea(HA): The total area (in hectares) of all focal habitat within each separate network patch
PatchN: The total number all focal habitat patches within each separate network patch
Total landscape summary metrics
Total_net_area(HA): The total area of all network patches within the study area
N_core_patches: The total number of focal patches within all network patches across study area
Total_core_area(HA): The total area of focal habitat within networks across the study area
Network_N: The total number of separate network patches created in the study area