Analysis of the connectivity of Quercus suber habitats in Sardinia

Habitat fragmentation is a serious threat to biodiversity and is increasing exponentially worldwide, interacting with other anthropogenic disturbances and contributing to irreversible effects on ecosystems. A landscape connectivity analysis was carried out on Quercus suber populations in Sardinia (Italy) to assess the risk of habitat fragmentation for each area and each island municipality. The ArcGIS and CONEFOR software were combined to process the available geographical data on the subject and calculate the values of two probabilistic indices, dPCflux and dPCconnector. These values were analysed, and maps were produced showing the most critical situations in each municipality on the island. The study showed that most of the threatened areas of Quercus suber forest were in the northern half of the island. In these areas, where Quercus suber is an important economic resource, better planning would help to drastically reduce the problem within a few years, for example, by encouraging local farmers to plant new Quercus suber in specific corridors now occupied by open pastures.