Revista: Forests
Autores: Navarro, R.; Rivas, C.; Varo, M.A.; Ariza, A.; Palacios, G.
Fecha: 2026
Abstract
This study examines the effects of silvicultural management on the functional connectivity of fragmented Abies pinsapo forests in southern Spain. Using biomass stock as a resistance proxy, connectivity was assessed through accumulated cost-distance and least-cost path analyses under three scenarios: low intervention, traditional silviculture, and intensive thinning aimed at reducing climate vulnerability. The intensive thinning scenario produced the greatest connectivity gains, reducing mean accumulated costs by approximately 18% and standard deviation by 15%, with local reductions reaching up to 60% between specific population pairs. Median costs also declined, indicating widespread improvements rather than isolated effects. Spatial analyses revealed that previously high-resistance zones, particularly in central and northern sectors, shifted toward more permeable conditions. Least-cost paths were shortened and alternative, more efficient corridors emerged, especially in areas subjected to silvicultural treatments. Connectivity benefits extended to peripheral populations, decreasing their relative isolation and contributing to a more balanced network structure. Targeted biomass reduction may reshape landscape resistance patterns and strengthened ecological linkages, highlighting adaptive silviculture as a potentially valuable strategy for improving landscape connectivity and supporting conservation planning.
Keywords
functional connectivity; adaptive silviculture; forest fragmentation; biomass reduction
