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Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Analysis of institutional authors

Gonzalez-Avila, SAuthorSolana-Gutierrez, JAuthor

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November 29, 2021
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Article

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

Publicated to: LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY. 37 (5): 1311-1329 - 2022-05-01 37(5), DOI: 10.1007/s10980-021-01367-8

Authors:

García-Sánchez, MP; González-Avila, S; Solana-Gutiérrez, J; Popa, M; Jurj, R; Ionescu, G; Ionescu, O; Fedorca, M; Fedorca, A
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Affiliations

Natl Inst Res & Dev Forestry Marin Dracea, Closca St 13, Brasov 500040, Romania - Author
Transilvania Univ Brasov, Fac Silviculture & Forest Engn, Beethoven Lane 1, Brasov 500123, Romania - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid UPM, MONTES Sch Forest Engn & Nat Resources, Dept Forest & Environm Engn & Management, Calle Jose Antonio Novais 10, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
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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.
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Keywords

Activity patternsBearBiodiversityBrown bearCarpathian mountainsCarpathiansCircuit theoryConnectivityConservation statusCorridorsDispersalEcological modelingHabitat selectionHabitat suitabilityLand-useLandscape connectivityLandscape ecologyLarge carnivoresLife on landMaxentMovementRangeRegional 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 World Citations provided by WoS (ESI, Clarivate), it yields a value for the citation normalization relative to the expected citation rate of: 1.11. This 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: ESI Nov 13, 2025)

This information is reinforced by other indicators of the same type, which, although dynamic over time and dependent on the set of average global citations at the time of their calculation, consistently position the work at some point among the top 50% most cited in its field:

  • Weighted Average of Normalized Impact by the Scopus agency: 1.16 (source consulted: FECYT Mar 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2026-04-27, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 9
  • Scopus: 10
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Impact and social visibility

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.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/90843/

As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

  • Views: 71
  • Downloads: 102
Continuing with the social impact of the work, it is important to emphasize that, due to its content, it can be assigned to the area of interest of ODS 15 - Life on land, with a probability of 72% according to the mBERT algorithm developed by Aurora University.
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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) .

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Project objectives

Los objetivos perseguidos en esta aportación fueron desarrollar modelos específicos de distribución y conectividad para cada sexo del oso pardo, evaluar las diferencias en los patrones de movimiento entre hembras y machos, e identificar áreas de alta calidad que deben ser protegidas para conservar la conectividad de la especie. Además, se buscó diseñar un marco metodológico interdisciplinar que integrara herramientas de modelado del paisaje y análisis espacial novedoso, y proporcionar soluciones prácticas para planificadores y gestores que permitan un diseño sostenible y una gestión adecuada de los paisajes intervenidos en los Cárpatos.
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Most relevant results

El estudio desarrolló modelos específicos por sexo para la distribución y conectividad del oso pardo en los Cárpatos, revelando diferencias significativas en sus patrones de movimiento. En primer lugar, los machos prefirieron desplazarse cerca de riberas y áreas boscosas densas, evitando zonas urbanas. En segundo lugar, las hembras mostraron mayor tolerancia a áreas modificadas por humanos, moviéndose a través de zonas boscosas y abiertas. Además, se identificaron tres áreas de alta calidad para ambos sexos que requieren esfuerzos de conservación debido a la proximidad de presiones antrópicas. Estos hallazgos subrayan la importancia de considerar el comportamiento específico por sexo en la planificación de la conservación y gestión del paisaje.
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Awards linked to the item

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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