A least-cost network neutral landscape model of human sites and routes

Etherington, Thomas R.; O’Sullivan, David; Perry, George L. W.; Richards, Daniel R.; Wainwright, John

Abstract

Context: Neutral landscape models generate virtual landscapes that enable computer-based exploration of the effects of spatial patterns on ecological processes free from the restrictions of real-world experimentation. For some questions in landscape ecology it is critical to incorporate human landscape features, such as networks, that are an integral part of human-influenced landscapes. Objectives: This paper outlines an approach to produce a neutral landscape model that uses the human geography principle of least-cost movement to create a network of human sites (buildings, camps, mines, settlements, farms, factories, etc.) and routes (trails, roads, railways, canals, powerlines, etc.). Methods: We used a least-cost modelling framework to create sites prioritised on least-cost catchment areas and routes based on least-cost paths. The location of sites and routes is determined by an underlying cost-surface that defines how movement costs vary across the landscape. The range of possible network patterns was quantified via raster network metrics and was compared to real-world network data. Results: The proposed neutral landscape model produces networks with a wide range of possible patterns, and using real-world data can guide the selection of parameters that mimic human activity in a variety of land cover classes in real-world landscapes. Conclusions: This network neutral landscape model extends the potential of neutral landscape models for research into human-influenced landscapes. We provide the code used to generate our examples under a permissive open-source licence.

Citation

Etherington, T. R., O’Sullivan, D., Perry, G. L. W., Richards, D. R., & Wainwright, J. (2024). A least-cost network neutral landscape model of human sites and routes. Landscape Ecology, 39(3), 52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-024-01836-w

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 19, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Feb 19, 2024
• Publication Date: Feb 19, 2024
• Deposit Date: Dec 4, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 26, 2024
• Journal: Landscape Ecology
• Print ISSN: 0921-2973
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 52
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-024-01836-w
• Keywords: Catchment, Transport, Connectivity, Accessibility, Settlements, Least-cost path
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1980568