Modelling Habitat Connectivity Using Circuit Theory for Mammal Conservation Corridors

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 2, 93 - 107, 01.09.2025

Sunny Verma , Sahil Khurana Debanjan Ghosh D. Roselin Jenifer Tapas Kumar Mohapatra S. Renuka Jyothi

https://doi.org/10.28978/nesciences.1763898

Abstract

Habitat fragmentation is a significant barrier to the ability of terrestrial mammals to move freely across landscapes and also disrupts the genetic flow among populations. In this study, we employed circuit theory to investigate habitat connectivity and identify conservation corridors for mammals in fragmented landscapes. Circuit theory utilizes the fundamentals of electrical resistance theory to establish connections among landscapes as a conductive surface, representing landscape heterogeneity by assigning resistance values based on land cover, topography, and anthropogenic features. We developed resistance surfaces using ecological and movement data for species of interest to derive many possible dispersal pathways for mammals. Throughout the study area, we utilized Circuitscape to illustrate connectivity, which helped identify key corridors that maximize movement between core habitat patches or areas of high current density, where movement is most likely to occur. Results show that classic corridor models generally ignore alternative, but ecologically relevant routes that can be captured with a circuit-based approach. Overall, our results suggest that integrating circuit theory into conservation planning is a sound mechanism for identifying multifunctional corridors that enhance landscape permeability and resilience. This method helps prioritize areas to conserve, restore, and use sustainably, thereby maximizing the probability of persistence of mammal populations in an increasingly fragmented landscape.

Keywords

Habitat Connectivity , Circuit Theory , Modelling , Mammals , Conservation Corridors , Fragmented Landscapes , Landscape Ecology

References

• Al-Yateem, N., Ismail, L., & Ahmad, M. (2024). A comprehensive analysis on semiconductor devices and circuits. Prog Electron Commun Eng, 2(1), 1-15.
• Arunabala, C., Brahmateja, G., Raju, K., Gideon, K., & REDDY, B. (2022). Gsm Adapted Electric Lineman Safety System with Protection Based Circuit Breaker. International Journal of communication and computer Technologies, 10(1), 4-6. https://ijccts.org/index.php/pub/article/view/147
• Aulakh, D., Patil, S., Kumar, M. S., & Bhardwaj, U. (2025). Integration of GIS and Geomorphic Data to Assess the Impact of Landscape Features on River Water Quality. Natural and Engineering Sciences, 10(1), 290-300. https://doi.org/10.28978/nesciences.1646470
• Beier, P., & Noss, R. F. (1998). Do habitat corridors provide connectivity? Conservation biology, 12(6), 1241-1252. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.1998.98036.x
• Chetkiewicz, C. L. B., St. Clair, C. C., & Boyce, M. S. (2006). Corridors for conservation: integrating pattern and process. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst., 37(1), 317-342. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.37.091305.110050
• Crooks, K. R., & Sanjayan, M. (Eds.). (2006). Connectivity conservation. Cambridge University Press.
• Crooks, K. R., Burdett, C. L., Theobald, D. M., Rondinini, C., & Boitani, L. (2011). Global patterns of fragmentation and connectivity of mammalian carnivore habitat. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 366(1578), 2642-2651. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2011.0120
• Cushman, S. A., & Lewis, J. S. (2010). Movement behavior explains genetic differentiation in American black bears. Landscape ecology, 25(10), 1613-1625. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-010-9534-6
• Cushman, S. A., Elliot, N. B., Macdonald, D. W., & Loveridge, A. J. (2016). A multi-scale assessment of population connectivity in African lions (Panthera leo) in response to landscape change. Landscape Ecology, 31(6), 1337-1353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-015-0292-3
• Dara, Y., & Shariatipou, S. M. (2017). Determination of Landslide Characterization in the Bahramkosh Dam Reservoir using combination of Electrical Resistivity Tomography and Geotechnical Parameters. International Academic Journal of Science and Engineering, 4(2), 103–112.
• Dickson, B. G., Albano, C. M., Anantharaman, R., Beier, P., & Theobald, D. M. (2017). Resistance distance predicts daily movements of a terrestrial mammal. Landscape Ecology, 32(3), 555–567.
• Dickson, B. G., Albano, C. M., Anantharaman, R., Beier, P., Fargione, J., Graves, T. A., ... & Theobald, D. M. (2019). Circuit‐theory applications to connectivity science and conservation. Conservation biology, 33(2), 239-249. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13230
• Epps, C. W., Palsbøll, P. J., Wehausen, J. D., Roderick, G. K., Ramey, R. R., & McCullough, D. R. (2005). Highways block gene flow and cause a rapid decline in genetic diversity of desert bighorn sheep. Ecology letters, 8(10), 1029-1038. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2005.00804.x
• Hilty, J., Worboys, G. L., Keeley, A., Woodley, S., Lausche, B. J., Locke, H., ... & Tabor, G. M. (2020). Guidelines for conserving connectivity through ecological networks and corridors. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.PAG.30.en
• Huong, N. T., & Dung, N. T. (2023). The Experience of the US and Japan in Agricultural Economic Development Policy and Lessons for Vietnam. International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Emerging Technology, 14(1), 16-21. https://erlibrary.org/erl/ijaeet/article/view/4
• Keeley, A. T., Beier, P., Keeley, B. W., & Fagan, M. E. (2017). Habitat suitability is a poor proxy for landscape connectivity during dispersal and mating movements. Landscape and Urban Planning, 161, 90-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2017.01.007
• Khajedad, M. M. (2014). Exploring Sedition and Its Consequences by Islam Landscape. International Academic Journal of Social Sciences, 1(2), 97–105.
• Kindlmann, P., & Burel, F. (2008). Connectivity measures: a review. Landscape ecology, 23(8), 879-890. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-008-9245-4
• Krosby, M., Tewksbury, J., Haddad, N. M., & Hoekstra, J. (2010). Ecological connectivity for a changing climate. Conservation Biology, 24(6), 1686-1689. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2010.01585.x
• Mahendra, K. S., Kinslin, D., Janardhanan, K. A., & Deekshith, D. (2025). Navigating Challenges in Engineering Education: A Comprehensive Examination of Kerala’s Landscape and Policy Interventions. Indian Journal of Information Sources and Services, 15(1), 74–82. https://doi.org/10.51983/ijiss-2025.ijiss.15.1.12
• McRae, B. H. (2006). Isolation by resistance. Evolution, 60(8), 1551-1561. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0014-3820.2006.tb00500.x
• McRae, B. H., & Beier, P. (2007). Circuit theory predicts gene flow in plant and animal populations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 104(50), 19885-19890. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0706568104
• McRae, B. H., Shah, V. B., & Mohapatra, T. K. (2008). Circuitscape: A tool for landscape ecology. The Nature Conservancy.
• Meurant, M., Gonzalez, A., & Rayfield, B. (2018). Selecting conservation corridors in multiuse landscapes. Ecological Applications, 28(4), 954–968.
• Omonov, Q., Khidirbayev, S., Inatov, M., Akmalova, M., Tillayeva, G., Abdullayev, D., & Alisher, S. (2025). Historical evolution of water resource management terminology in Central Asia’s linguistic landscape. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Environmental Studies, 5(1), 638–653. https://doi.org/10.70102/IJARES/V5I1/5-1-58
• Penrod, K., Beier, P., Garding, E., & Cabanero, P. (Eds.). (2012). A linkage network for the California deserts. Science and Collaboration for Connected Wildlands.
• Prabhu, Vishnu, & Sujai, S. (2022). Sentimental Analysis of Product Rating. International Academic Journal of Innovative Research, 9(2), 18–21. https://doi.org/10.9756/IAJIR/V9I2/IAJIR0912
• Shirkani, S., Ghanbari, E., & Maleki, S. (2014). Assessment of the relationship between infrastructures of knowledge management and organizational performance in petrochemical company of Mehr. International Academic Journal of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, 1(1), 80–95.
• Taylor, P. D., Fahrig, L., Henein, K., & Merriam, G. (1993). Connectivity is a vital element of landscape structure. Oikos, 571-573. https://doi.org/10.2307/3544927
• Veerappan, S. (2023). The Role of Digital Ecosystems in Digital Transformation: A Study of How Firms Collaborate and Compete. Global Perspectives in Management, 1(1), 78-89.
• Xu, X., & Lu, W. (2024). Digital Preservation and Network Security Protection: A Case Study of Landscape Painting in Ming Dynasty. J. Internet Serv. Inf. Secur., 14(4), 249-262. https://doi.org/10.58346/JISIS.2024.I4.015
• Zeller, K. A., McGarigal, K., & Whiteley, A. R. (2012). Estimating landscape resistance to movement: a review. Landscape ecology, 27(6), 777-797. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-012-9737-0