Determination of ecological networks for vegetation connectivity using GIS & AHP technique in the Mediterranean degraded karst ecosystems

Full-scale intensive silvicultural activities, such as afforestation and rehabilitation, can deteriorate the fragile structural features and functions of karst ecosystems. Within these ecosystems, degraded and fragmented habitats can only be connected to each other through a landscape network that poses a positive umbrella effect over these areas. The aim of this research was to determine suitable eco-regions and landscape corridors for reforestation and restoration based on several biotic and abiotic habitat factors using Analytic Hierarchic Processes (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS). This approach was targeted at plant species naturally associated with the degraded Mediterranean karst ecosystem, such as Pinus brutia Ten, Juniperus drupacea, Styrax officinalis L., Pistacia terebinthus L., Laurus nobilis L., and Cerasus mahaleb L. in the study area, which is located in the Andirin Sarimsak Mountains in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. In this study, potential landscape corridors and their habitat qualities have been identified for the target species, where ratings from 'poor' to 'best' were assigned depending on the condition of degradation. Of the 33 identified corridors, 8 were characterized as 'poor', 10 as 'average', 10 as 'good', and 5 as 'best' Specifically, the 'best' corridors are recommended for afforestation, while rehabilitation is suggested for 'poor' corridors to increase the effectiveness of landscape networks in the degraded karst ecosystem.

Automated summary

Full-scale intensive silvicultural activities can deteriorate the fragile structural features of karst ecosystems, but landscape networks can connect degraded habitats effectively. This study used AHP and GIS to identify suitable eco-regions and landscape corridors for reforestation, recommending afforestation for 'best' corridors and rehabilitation for 'poor' corridors in order to enhance the effectiveness of landscape networks in the degraded karst ecosystem.