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Partial financial support was received from the National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry Marin Dracea from the projects Life for Bear (LIFE 13NAT/RO/001154, LIFE17NAT/IT/464 SAFE-CROSSING, BEAR around Brasov, Nucleu Programme from ANCSI-PN19070601, BearConnect funded under BiodivERsA3-2015147-BearConnect (96/2016) and was supported by MONTESSchool of Forest Engineering and Natural Environment. Universidad Polite ' cnica de Madrid (UPM).

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Gonzalez-Avila, SAuthorSolana-Gutierrez, JAuthor

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Sex-specific connectivity modelling for brown bear conservation in the Carpathian Mountains

Publicated to:Landscape Ecology. 37 (5): 1311-1329 - 2022-01-01 37(5), DOI: 10.1007/s10980-021-01367-8

Authors: Pino Garcia-Sanchez, M; Gonzalez-Avila, Sergio; Solana-Gutierrez, Joaquin; Popa, Marius; Jurj, Ramon; Ionescu, Georgeta; Ionescu, Ovidiu; Fedorca, Mihai; Fedorca, Ancuta

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Abstract

Context Romania is currently one of the best-connected landscapes, with high-quality habitats and a high density of brown bears. However, regional development measures are needed for the nation's economic growth, and without responsible government actions, these measures pose a threat to brown bear connectivity, a vital pillar of the entire Carpathian region. Despite having important implications for the species conservation, bears sex-specific behaviour has been overlooked in connectivity assessments. Objectives The study's main goals were to (i) develop sex-specific distribution and connectivity models, (ii) assess the movement patterns differences between females and males, and (iii) identify high-quality areas to be secured for species connectivity conservation. Methods We designed a methodological framework based on interdisciplinary approaches and modelling tools for landscape connectivity combined with novel spatial analysis. Telemetry data of sixteen bears (females and males) were utilized to predict habitat selection (MaxEnt), and circuit-theoretic approaches (Circuitscape) were applied to identify the potential movement corridors of both sexes and high-priority areas. Results The obtained results provided new evidence on the uneven movement patterns and pathways used by males and females in the study region. Males' movement preferences were related to river shores and dense forest coverage areas, avoiding urban areas, while females were predicted to move across forested and open areas and were more tolerant to human-modified areas. Three high-quality areas were delineated for both sexes, and connectivity conservation efforts are needed due to the vicinity of anthropic pressures. Conclusions This study depicts the usefulness of combining interdisciplinary approaches and provides planners, managers, and decision-makers with practical solutions to address sustainable design and management within the intervened landscapes. Using separate female and male spatial models for leading management and conservation measures, setting connectivity targets within environmental and impact assessments while adopting conservation easements could secure a safety network for biodiversity conservation in the Carpathians.

Keywords

Activity patternsBearBiodiversityBrown bearCarpathian mountainsCarpathiansCircuit theoryConnectivityConservation statusCorridorsDispersalEcological modelingHabitat selectionHabitat suitabilityLand-useLandscape connectivityLandscape ecologyLarge carnivoresMaxentMovementRangeRegional developmentRomaniaUrsus-arctos

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Landscape Ecology due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2022, it was in position 24/202, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Geosciences, Multidisciplinary.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 1.73, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jun 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-06-07, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 6
  • Scopus: 8
  • OpenCitations: 7

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-07:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 79 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Oman; Rumanía.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Garcia-Sanchez, MP) .