Landscape corridors for ecological networks: North Central Anatolia Region, Turkey

As a result of fragmentation and degradation of habitat, the connectivity of natural habitats has been decreasing. Thus, problems in gene flow in the wildlife have begun to arise. The connection of landscape patches with corridors is now an important subject of landscape planning. Central Anatolia has been affected by habitat fragmentation due to its fragile ecologies. The purpose of this study was i) to identify the landscape corridors in order to create ecological networks between the natural landscape reserves in the Northern Central Anatolia Region and ii) to develop a guideline that can be applied for landscape connectivity in fragmentation areas. Landscape resistances were determined according to the target species (Lynx lynx) and the resistance map was formed. Corridors were determined by using Least-cost path approach with GIS. As a result, six corridors and major barriers were identified among the core areas and north forests. The methodology and results of our study can be used by experts, planners, and scientists in Turkey as references for identifying and planning the ecological networks.