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Sustainability
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Landscape Connectivity for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation
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Landscape Connectivity for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 2078

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Irene Petrosillo

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Guest Editor
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
Interests: landscape ecology; biodiversity conservation; multiscale assessment; ecosystem services
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Donatella Valente

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
Interests: ecological indicators; ecosystem services; landscape metrics; biodiversity conservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Maria Victoria Marinelli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Commission for Space Activities (CONAE) Argentinian Spacial Agency, Institute of Advanced Space Studies Mario Gulich (IG), Buenos Aires, Argentina
Interests: remote sensing; landscape ecology; land use planning; agricultural production and food systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The recognition of the role of landscape connectivity in biodiversity conservation has increased considerably at the international level, and it is a central topic in ecology and conservation science. However, the practical implications of landscape connectivity for conservation are not clearly recognized in the identification and planning of conservation areas, with effects on their long-term sustainability unknown. Scientists and managers must solve several challenges in sustainable planning for landscape connectivity. In this Special Issue, we aim to explore the recent advances in connectivity planning from a multiscale perspective by considering global change, including the analysis of the effects of climate change, the selection of the most suitable methods for evaluating the sustainability of spatial connectivity, and the assessment of the predictive abilities of simulation techniques in different contexts. This Special Issue welcomes submissions including, but not limited to, the above topics in the form of review, research, or perspective articles.

Prof. Dr. Irene Petrosillo
Dr. Donatella Valente
Dr. Maria Victoria Marinelli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • habitat connectivity
  • landscape services
  • conservation priorities
  • multiscale assessment
  • biodiversity loss
  • biodiversity conservation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 3831 KiB  
Article
Functional Connectivity in Future Land-Use Change Scenarios as a Tool for Assessing Priority Conservation Areas for Key Bird Species: A Case Study from the Chaco Serrano
by Julieta Rocío Arcamone, Luna Emilce Silvetti, Laura Marisa Bellis, Carolina Baldini, María Paula Alvarez, María Cecilia Naval-Fernández, Jimena Victoria Albornoz and Gregorio Gavier Pizarro
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 6874; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156874 - 29 Jul 2025
Abstract
Planning conservation for multiple species while accounting for habitat availability and connectivity under uncertain land-use changes presents a major challenge. This study proposes a protocol to identify strategic conservation areas by assessing the functional connectivity of key bird species under future land-use scenarios [...] Read more.
Planning conservation for multiple species while accounting for habitat availability and connectivity under uncertain land-use changes presents a major challenge. This study proposes a protocol to identify strategic conservation areas by assessing the functional connectivity of key bird species under future land-use scenarios in the Chaco Serrano of Córdoba, Argentina. We modeled three land-use scenarios for 2050: business as usual, sustainability, and intensification. Using the Equivalent Connected Area index, we evaluated functional connectivity for Chlorostilbon lucidus, Polioptila dumicola, Dryocopus schulzii, Milvago chimango, and Saltator aurantiirostris for 1989, 2019, and 2050, incorporating information about habitat specialization and dispersal capacity to reflect differences in ecological responses. All species showed declining connectivity from 1989 to 2019, with further losses expected under future scenarios. Connectivity declines varied by species and were not always proportional to habitat loss, highlighting the complex relationship between land-use change and functional connectivity. Surprisingly, the sustainability scenario led to the greatest losses in connectivity, emphasizing that habitat preservation alone does not ensure connectivity. Using the Integral Connectivity Index, we identified habitat patches critical for maintaining connectivity, particularly those vulnerable under the business as usual scenario. With a spatial prioritization analysis we identified priority conservation areas to support future landscape connectivity. These findings underscore the importance of multispecies, connectivity-based planning and offer a transferable framework applicable to other regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Connectivity for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation)
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22 pages, 11337 KiB  
Article
Toward Landscape-Based Groundwater Recharge in Arid Regions: A Case Study of Karachi, Pakistan
by Amna Riaz, Steffen Nijhuis and Inge Bobbink
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 4931; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114931 - 27 May 2025
Viewed by 620
Abstract
Rapid urbanization and climate change are the driving forces behind changing the urban landscape and affecting natural resources and the environment, particularly in the megacities of arid regions. Many of these cities face an acute water crisis leading to over-exploitation of groundwater resources. [...] Read more.
Rapid urbanization and climate change are the driving forces behind changing the urban landscape and affecting natural resources and the environment, particularly in the megacities of arid regions. Many of these cities face an acute water crisis leading to over-exploitation of groundwater resources. This over-exploitation has led to the depletion of aquifers, land infertility, saline intrusion, land subsidence, and harm to hydrological ecosystems. Globally, numerous studies have documented the potential of groundwater recharge (GWR) using GIS and remote sensing techniques. However, its practical application in a landscape context for sustainable urban and regional development is underexplored. In this study, we developed the landscape-based GWR concept by conducting a case study of Karachi city (Pakistan). We took physical landscape (surface and sub-surface) features and groundwater recharge potential as a base for design and planning to improve groundwater recharge and urban landscape. Moreover, we highlighted the added values of this approach besides recharging the depleted ground hydrological conditions and improving the urban landscape condition (i.e., social–ecological inclusiveness, sustainable future development, and interdisciplinary collaboration). The results indicated a negative impact of urbanization on groundwater recharge, especially in the alluvial zones and river valleys, underscoring the need for a spatial approach to safeguard GWR and guide development. Through this study, we propose that landscape-based GWR can be one of the potential solutions not only for the critical water crisis faced by rapidly urbanizing arid megacities but also for improving the overall quality of life and urban landscape. Furthermore, this holistic approach toward groundwater recharge can guide future urban development patterns, preservation of high groundwater recharge potential sites, and evolution toward sustainable development in arid regions where groundwater is the most significant yet vulnerable resource. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Connectivity for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation)
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20 pages, 35878 KiB  
Article
Restoration of Ecological Connectivity in Zhaotong City Under the Interference of Human Activities
by Bo Wen, Chenxi Liu, Jingchao Cai, Jing Guo and Guoping Ren
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1287; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031287 - 5 Feb 2025
Viewed by 791
Abstract
Plateau ecological vulnerability areas are experiencing substantial ecological challenges that threaten the integrity of ecological networks (ENs) due to irrational human activities, leading to habitat fragmentation and ecological connectivity degradation. The objectives of this study focus on understanding the structure, connectivity, and responses [...] Read more.
Plateau ecological vulnerability areas are experiencing substantial ecological challenges that threaten the integrity of ecological networks (ENs) due to irrational human activities, leading to habitat fragmentation and ecological connectivity degradation. The objectives of this study focus on understanding the structure, connectivity, and responses of ENs to construction land, crucial for maintaining ecological sustainability. Employing the circuit theory, the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model, and complex network analysis methods, the ENs are constructed and the evolution characteristics are analyzed. The Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model is used to explore the correlation between construction land and ecological pinch points. The number of ecological corridors increased by 42, and the total length was reduced by 432.85 km, for a reduction of 15.25%. The proportion of highest-level ecological pinch points declined from 0.95% to 0.67%, indicating enhanced overall connectivity. Complex network analysis showed declining betweenness centrality in eight ecological sources over two periods, indicating reduced connectivity in partial northern and central regions. Correlation analysis showed the interaction of regional economic development policies and regional ecological restoration measures on the ecological networks. In areas with positive correlations, six ecological conservation areas were designated to maintain existing connectivity. In regions with negative correlations, seven ecological restoration areas were planned to improve ecological connectivity through scientific ecological restoration methods. This research provides a framework for optimizing regional ecological networks and enhancing ecological connectivity in plateau ecological vulnerability areas. It offers significant insights into the optimization of the ecological security pattern and practical guidance for policymakers and planners seeking to maintain ecological sustainability and resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Connectivity for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation)
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