International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences (IJEG),

Vol; 4, Issue; 2, pp. 063-070, June, 2019, ISSN 2548-0960, Turkey,

DOI: Your DOI number

DETECTION OF ECOLOGICAL NETWORKS AND CONNECTIVITY WITH

ANALYZING THEIR EFFECTS ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Serdar Selim1, Nuster Demir *1

1 Akdeniz University, Faculty of Science, Department of Space Science and Technologies, 07070, Antalya/TURKEY e-
mail: (serdarselim/[email protected])
ORCID 0000-0002-5631-6253; ORCID 0000-0002-8756-7127

*Corresponding Author, Received: 12/07/2018, Accepted: 11/09/2018

ABSTRACT: Rapid urbanization is a leading process for the global environmental problems such as climate change,
massive loss of natural habitats, an increase of air, water, soil quality and social troubles. Within the scope of elimination
of these effects, detecting, preserving and managing a strategically planned ecological network can provide ecological,
economic, social and cultural benefits. Specially, connectivity of landscape patches in urban areas is an important factor
for urban ecosystem cycle. Ecological studies under these circumstances are concentrated in urban areas and strategies are
being developed to create green systems by establishing links between green areas. In this study, a method based on the
graph theory has been proposed to create ecological links between important landscape patches in the Chennai City and the
effects of the created system on the city has been discussed. Firstly, a comprehensive database is created for Chennai in the
GIS. And then, important urban landscape patches and connectivity are detected with use of Conefor software that enhances
the quality of landscape patches and ensures that landscape connectivity is sustainable. With this scope, we used integral
index of connectivity (IIC) index and the probability of connectivity (PC) index that have been known to show an enhanced
performance for urban habitat conservation planning and change monitoring applications. Ultimately, the resulting findings
are mapped in the GIS environment, and the ecological, social and cultural impacts of the system are discussed based on
international literature.

Keywords: Urban ecology, Landscape connectivity, Green infrastructure, GIS

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 International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences (IJEG),
Vol; 4, Issue; 2, pp. 063-070, June, 2019,

1. INTRODUCTION green space, and guiding urban and environmental

planning for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable
Along with the rapid urbanization and land cover ecological development (Kong et al., 2010). In this study,
changes in recent years, natural habitats became reduced Conefor Sensinode 2.2 software that can calculate the
in size and fragmented especially in developed and landscape connection has been used. Conefor software is
developing countries (Williams et al., 2009 and Hüse et known to exhibit a more advanced performance
al., 2016). The natural habitats are important for the compared to other existing indexes with the new index
citizens as well (Şimsek et al., 2018) and GIS methods are (integral index of connectivity ‘IIC’, the probability of
useful to determine the spatial problems (Akar et.al, 2018; connectivity ‘PC’). (Saura and Pascual-Hortal 2007,
Memduhoglu and Basaraner, 2018). Habitat Saura and Rubio 2010, Saura et al., 2011). These indices
fragmentation and division of landscapes, reduce the are based upon mathematical graphs theory and measure
connectivity between habitat patches by extending the the connections between habitat patches. These indices
distances between the remaining habitat stands, which allow the assessment of linkages, connectivity, and
lead to the loss of biodiversity in the long process (Bogyó availability of a habitat patch to other habitat patches.
et al., 2015 and Hüse et al., 2016). Thus preserving Thus, the landscape link is designed as a feature that
biodiversity and sustainability of landscape special in determines and measures the number of patches available
urban areas have a high priority in urban ecological in a landscape matrix. The links do not assess whether the
planning (Talley et al., 2007 and Zipkin et al., 2009). landscape patch is high or low quality, or whether it has
Habitat connectivity is the most necessary and important strong ecological associations, but these links are an
factor that promotes the preservation of biodiversity in indication of whether the landscape patches are accessible
degraded landscapes by promoting gene flow and the (Saura and Torne, 2009).
expansion of individuals movement areas between This study, which was prepared to determine the
populations (Lindborg et al., 2012 and Hüse et al., 2016). habitat connections between selected landscape patches
Besides, these habitat connections also support the socio- in the Chennai city and to provide ecological support to
cultural life in the city and increase the quality of life. In the city's future, will be an important data source for
this context, especially in urban settlements, the urban physical planning studies of the Chennai. Six
evaluation of qualities of habitat patches and the landscape patches that affect the economic, cultural,
determination of habitat connections are an important social and ecological aspects of the city are selected and
guide for future urban planning studies. the connections between them are determined with help
In a rapidly developing country such as India, the of remote sensing (RS) and geographical information
determination of the ecological characteristics of urban systems (GIS). Then, these connections were evaluated
habitats is necessary for the future of Indian cities. As based on landscape ecology and interpreted on the basis
known, green spaces planning and accordingly of landscape ecology to ensure sustainable urban
management in urban areas up to now requires greater development. Based on these results, we emphasize
insights in socio-economical, socio-cultural, and which patches are more important to the city.
ecological aspects that ensure a sustainable urban
structure (Thompson, 2002; Govindarajulu, 2014). In this 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
context, it is necessary to have information about the
ecological structure of the Chennai City in India, which 2.1 Study area
has entered into a process of rapid economic and cultural
development, and to use this knowledge for the ecological The second level headings should be in 10pt, bold,
development of the city. To reach mentioned targets justified, and capitalized font. Leave one blank line both
above, the main target of the study is to detect the before and after the heading, respectively. Chennai is
important landscape patches and connection of among the top five cities and is the capital of the Indian
landscapes of Chennai city. This framework includes the state of Tamil Nadu (N 13° 5′ 0″, E 80° 16′ 0″). It
detection of spatial elements (patch areas and sizes,
is located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal,
ecological corridors, landscape matrix, etc.)
it is one of the most important centers of the economy,
(Govindarajulu, 2014). It is really important to connect
education and culture in South India. Chennai has a flat
the habitat patches (open green spaces such as parks, city
and wide area in this context it expanded from 174 km2
garden, and urban forest) using corridors (green ways,
to an area of 426 km2 dividing into three regions (North,
river, and sides, tree-line roads etc.) to sustain ecological
South, and Central) which covers 200 wards in 2011
connectivity between landscape patches in landscape
(Wikipedia, 2016). The climate of that region is tropical
matrix. Landscape corridors are the most important parts
wet and dry. Maximum temperatures are around 35-40 ºC,
of green space planning and management; and these
minimum temperatures are around 19-25 ºC (IMD, 2010).
corridors can be used to reduce the negative impact of
Chennai shows a similar process of urbanization as in
landscape degradation (Majka et al., 2007). These
other major cities: increasing land use intensity and
corridors also support urban life and create
intensive pressure on natural areas (Fig 1).
interconnected open- green space systems called green
infrastructure.
In generally, connectivity indexes have been used for
determination of ecological connectivity. These
connectivity indexes give accurate results quickly as
integrated into the GIS software. It transformed and
systematized the landscape structure that is complex and
interactive, helping to describes the significance of every

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 International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences (IJEG),
Vol; 4, Issue; 2, pp. 063-070, June, 2019,

Figure 1. Location of study area

According to the official records of the year 2011, the

city is home to 4,646,732 inhabitants (MUB, 2011).
Chennai is one of the most visited cities in India because
it has many historical and cultural riches, especially
UNESCO's Mahabalipuram Heritage Site. In this context,
the city visited more than 3 million tourists in 2011. Three
long rivers and many lakes spread across the city attract
ecologically interested tourists. (Wikipedia, 2016). These
wetlands have unique ecology and endemic flora and
fauna (Zanakiraman et al., 2013). A considerable part of
the urban wetlands is thought to have been transformed,
especially for agriculture and settlement. Since the
beginning of the 20th century, the amount of wetlands in
the Chennai has decreased from 150 to under 30 currently.
The important wetlands include Ennore creek, Adyar
Estuary, Korattur swamp, Adambakkam Ambattur and
Chitlapakkam lakes, Madhavaram and Manali Jheels,
Pulicat and Vyasarpadi lakes, Coovum and Otteri nullah,
and Buckingham Canal. (Gubta and Nair, 2011; The
Economist, 2015). The region has an important area
ecologically. For the sustainability of the region,
ecological characteristics must be preserved and
maintained in the Chennai.

2.2. Data Figure 2. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index of

Chennai Around, Selected ecological areas (right)
In the study, six regions were selected which are
important in terms of their ecological characteristics, (1) Guindy National Park, it is the 8th smallest
affecting the city of Chennai ecologically, economically, National Park of India, is a protected area of Tamil Nadu,
socially and culturally (Fig 2). located in Chennai, and one of the rare national city parks.
There are more than 350 species of plants, including
many trees, shrubs and ground cover plants, and there are
wetlands and pastures. There are also 24 varieties of trees.
There are over 14 species of mammals and over 150
species of birds (Oppili, P., 2004). (2) Tholkappiar
Ecological Park (also known as Adyar Poonga or
Tholkappia Poonga) set up by the Government of Tamil
Nadu in the Adyar estuary area of Chennai, India. About
50 percent of the park is covered by water. A total of 143
species of fish, amphibians, birds, and reptiles have been

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 International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences (IJEG),
Vol; 4, Issue; 2, pp. 063-070, June, 2019,

seen in the park (Lopez, 2011). (3) The Arignar Anna

Zoological Park is located at Vandalur in the south-
western part of the Chennai Metropolitan Area known as Table 1. Sentinel 2 used bands and features
the Vandalur Zoo that is located within an open green area
Sentinel-2
of more than 500 hectares). (Urban Green Belt, 2016). Wavelength Resolution
Bands
The zoo is located within the Vandalur Reserve Forest
area. The zoo's ecosystem consists of dry deciduous and Blue 0.490 µm 10 m
dry evergreen scrub forest vegetation of the Eastern Ghats
(Wikipedia, 2016). (4) Pallikaranai Marshland Reserved Green ( 0.560 µm 10 m
Forest, one of the last remaining natural wetlands in the Red 0.665 µm 10 m
city collects flood water and increases ground water
levels in landscape (Bhaskar et al.,, 2011). An extensive NIR 0.842 µm 10 m
low-lying area covered by a mosaic of aquatic grass
species, scrub, marsh, and water-logged depressions. (5) 2.2. Method
Nanmangalam Reserved Forest is a protected area located
in the southern part of Chennai, about 24 km from the city The method has four main processing stages (1) A
center. It is a scrubland and is home to some of the rare comprehensive database is created for Chennai in the GIS
territorial orchids (Padmanabhan, 2016). (6) Pallavaram (Fig. 3). At this step, Sentinel II satellite images were
is a residential locality in Chennai and a selection-grade downloaded, 4-3-2 band combinations were prepared and
municipality located in the Metropolitan city of Chennai. a base map was created. The ecological, social and
The Pallavaram forest, surrounded by settlements, is cultural data of the research area have been obtained in
isolated from other ecological areas. Although it is a small the direction of literature and related institutions and
area, it contains aquatic and terrestrial plant and animal organizations. (2) At this stage, large habitat patches that
species. affect the city ecologically, socially and culturally have
Other research materials used in the study are written been identified and digitized. (3) At the end of the method,
and visual documents about Chennai, Sentinel 2 satellite connectivity indices (especially IIC and PC) were used
images dated 03.10.2016 and cloudiness % 0,001, and analyzed to measure the quality and linkages of large
ArcGIS 10.1, QGIS 2.18 and Conefor Sensinode 2.2 habitat patches.
software’s (Table 1).

Satellite images

Maps NDVI
Results and
Written Documents Large Habitat Patches Habitat quality Assessment
Visual Documents Corridors (creeks) Connectivity

Data Collection Digitized Analysis

Figure 3. Method flowchart

After the analysis phase, four indices of Conefor software indices are important in defining critical habitat patches
have been used to determine habitat quality and and landscape connectivity (Saura and Pascual-Hortal
connectivity. These metrics are defined in Table 2. These 2007) as shown in Table 2.
indices are more preferred for landscape planning and
conservation than other existing indices and these

Table 2. Metrics and properties used in the study landscape changes (Saura and Pascual-Hortal 2007).

Index Definition Measuring

This index will be used to analyze the extent to Values close to each other may
which the sequences provided by different show similar patches, especially in
topological indices differ from the priorities used the shape area. When the area of a
dA
to obtain basic patch characteristics such as habitat patch increases, the quality
habitat area and habitat quality. (Baranyi et all, also increases relatively.
2011)
This index is used to assess the frequency with The shortest paths between all pairs
which shortest paths can be used along with a of patches are summed to calculate
given patch, to determine how much a patch how many patches exist between all
contains the current flow of the organism. pairs of patches in a scene. The
BC
(Baranyi et all, 2011) patches with high BC values are
proposed to form the spine of the
landscape. (Saura and Pascual-
Hortal 2007).

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Vol; 4, Issue; 2, pp. 063-070, June, 2019,

This index is a graph-based habitat availability PC ranges from 0 to 1 and increases

metric that quantifies functional connectivity with improved connectivity. When
(Saura and Pascual-Hortal 2007). A habitat two patches are isolated from each
dPC availability (reachability) index taking into other, PC=0; When two patches are
account varying probabilities of direct dispersal completely connected to each other,
(pij) between different pairs of patches (Bodin and PC=1.
Saura, 2010)
This index works similarly to the PC index, but IIC ranges from 0 to 1 and increases
instead of evaluating the probability of scattering with improved connectivity
across all pairs of patches, this metric uses the strength. If direct dispersal between
probabilities of distribution across all patches. any patches in the landscape is
dIIC (Bodin and Saura, 2010). assessed as being possible, the link
strength is set to unity. In other
words, it is set to 0 (that is, the
connection is not assigned between
two patches).

In particular the PC and IIC indices, are used to path links number between landscape patches i and j, and
comment the connectivity and quality of the determined maximum landscape attribute defined as AL. IIC=1
landscape patches. These indices are calculated as shown means, habitats spread throughout all landscapes.
in Figure 6. These connectivity indices enhance the
quality of other frequently used indices for planning After the analysis phase, in order to the sustainability of
conservation applications of landscape, including their the city, the determined habitats and linkages were
abilities both for adequately reacting to existing assessed based on landscape ecology, using the numerical
landscape changes and for determining the most data obtained. In the assessment process, the importance
important habitats for the sustainable of significant of sensitive areas in terms of ecological characteristics
landscape connectivity (Pascual-Hortal and Saura 2006, was emphasized and supported with obtained data from
Saura and Pascual-Hortal 2007, Saura and Torne, 2009). analysis.

3. RESULTS

(1) The first result is the areas and perimeter length of six
landscape patches (Tholkappiar Ecological Park and
Surrounding, Guindy National Park, Pallikaranai
Marshland Reserved Forest, Pallawavaram Forest, and
Where n is the number of patches in the current Surrounding, Nanmangalam Reserved Forest, Arignar
landscape. ai refers to each habitat area, the total Anna Zoological Park) (Table 3). The patch with ID 3 has
landscape area is defined as AL. pij is the probability of a a larger area than the others and therefore has a more
species moving directly from i to j (without passing ecological impact on the city. But it does not have a
by).The probability pij is calculated based on a negative compact form, as seen from the perimeter length. In this
exponential dispersal kernel. case, it can be interpreted that the edge effects on the
habitat patch are excessive (Forman, 1995). This may be
advantageous for external species, creating a
disadvantage for internal species. The patch with ID 2 has
(2) a partially compact form. Therefore, it is understood that
habitat quality is not bad especially when compared to
patch 4 (Table 3).
Here, n is the total landscape patches number, ai and
aj are the qualification of patch i and j, nlij is the shortest

Table 3. Landscape patches and formal sizes

Name Patch Shape length (m) Shape area (m2)
ID
Tholkappiar Ecological Park and Surrounding 1 11819,6 2420852,76
Guindy National Park 2 8485,57 2999596,45
Pallikaranai Marshland Reserved Forest 3 17725,88 6368998,11
Pallawavaram Forest and Surrounding 4 12567,68 2461131,42
Nanmangalam Reserved Forest 5 8653,67 2739789,50
Arignar Anna Zoological Park 6 8837,76 3392412,95

The length of the shortest distances between between patches are mostly settlement. All patches are
landscape patches is important in terms of connectivity. surrounded by settlements. So the patches are under
The shortest distances of each patch with other patches concrete pressure and need to be protected. To ensure the
were determined (Table 4). It is understood that land uses sustainability of these patches, buffer zones must be

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 International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences (IJEG),
Vol; 4, Issue; 2, pp. 063-070, June, 2019,

created in the impact zone and the pressure must be 5 13.44 0.10 0.26 0.23
reduced. Urban eco-zones protect fragmented landscape 6 16.64 0.00 0.23 0.24
patches. When the ecological characteristics of the city
are taken into consideration, it is clear that the necessity
of protecting these landscape patches in the city is As regards the dA value of all landscaping patches is
obvious (Fig 4). The distances between patches are listed assessed, it is seen that patch 3 is different from the
in Table 4. others. This difference is the size of the patch. As the
landscape patches in the city, it develops ecologically
(Forman, 1995). Patch 1 is partly smaller and fed by
Adyar River. Adyar River is a natural ecological corridor
and positively affects the ecological structure of the route
it passes through. It positively increases the ecological
characteristics of the city and patch 1 because it is
adjacent to the sea.
When BC value is assessed; In particular, patch 4, is
the backbone of the landscape due to the number of
connections. 2, 3 and 5 patches also contribute to urban
ecology by providing connections between the
determined landscapes. The important point here is the
existence of landscape patches due to the city's ecological
and socio-cultural structure. This interim patches,
improve ecological circulation in the city and provide a
positive impact on the city. In particular, these internal
Figure 4. Detected patches and their numbers patches can be interconnected by rearranging urban
ecological corridors (linear items such as main streets and
Table 4. Shortest distances between the patches boulevards, etc.) and stimulate urban ecological and
Fro T Distance(m Fro T Distance(m cultural life.
m o ) m o ) The difference of the IIC metric from the similar PC
1 2 2289.90 2 6 16852.90 metric is based on networks with weightless connections
1 3 5539.84 3 4 3675.99 (Bodin and Saura, 2010).
1 4 9453.78 3 5 3678.35 The combination of PC and IIC metrics is assessed
1 5 12050.45 3 6 13042.51 together because it shows the connection requirements of
1 6 21395.89 4 5 3441.35 a particular patch and its sensitivity to interruptions and
2 3 2727.25 4 6 10139.66 also created corridors are not weighted. IIC is sensitive to
2 4 4326.38 5 6 7327.02 the changes in habitat, it helps to understand the
2 5 7801.14 connectivity between the landscape elements. On the
other hand, PC is more probabilistic, and uses weights,
4. DISCUSSION except with these criteria, it is similar to the IIC metric
(Gergel and Turner, 2017). The two metrics allows to see
Patches 2, 3, 4 and 5 are spread between 1 and 6 how the areas separated and isolation effects (Neel et al.,
patches, and close to each other. The connections between 2014).
internal patches (id; 2, 3, 4, 5) are short and more In the study, patch 3 is significantly different from
influenced by each other ecologically. The longest the others according to PC and IIC values. It almost got 2
distance is approximately 21 km from the patches 1 and times more points than others. When the ecological
6. The shortest distance is 2127.25 m from the patches 2 characteristics of the city are assessed on the basis of the
and 3. The distance between patches is used to interpret connection, it is seen that the most important patch is 3
the connections of the complex landscape structure. (Pallikaranai Marshland Reserved Forest) for the city.
Chennai city has a complex landscape structure. Patches according to importance ratings are listed as 2, 5,
Connectivity analyses of the patches are calculated with 6, 4 and 1. Therefore, this ranking should be taken into
the metrics used in the evaluation of complex landscapes account in conservation studies of the Chennai City.
(Table 5). Using Conefor Software, it tried to understand
landscape ecology with graph theory. The graph theory 5. CONCLUSION
and the used algorithms show that it is a powerful and
effective way to represent landscape structure to make a Natural and semi-natural habitats have been
complex analysis of functionally interconnected patches dramatically reduced in the region as a result of the
(Pascual-Hortal and Saura 2006, Pascual-Hortal and distorted urban extension. Despite the negative changes
Saura 2008). the remnant semi-natural habitat patches still harbor
important diversity. It is very important to protect and
Table 5. The results of connectivity and quality analysis improve the habitats of this biological diversity. In this
for selected landscape patches study, the ecological connections of important landscapes
Node dA BC dPC dIIC are defined to protect and improve habitat life in the city.
1 11.87 0.00 0.20 0.19 The provision of the connections between the patches is
expected to improve the ecological and cultural life of the
2 14.71 0.03 0.29 0.25
city.
3 31.24 0.03 0.56 0.53 Saura and Rubio stated in 2010 that the ranking
4 12.07 0.23 0.22 0.22 obtained from the connectivity analysis is effective in

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 International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences (IJEG),
Vol; 4, Issue; 2, pp. 063-070, June, 2019,

preserving landscapes patches. Bodin and Saura stated in Hüse, B., Szabo, S., Deak, B., Tothmeresz, B. (2016).
2010 that IIC, PC and BC metrics jointly assess both the Mapping an ecological network of green habitat patches
immediate connectivity impacts of the loss of a particular and their role in maintaining urban biodiversity in and
patch and the resulting increased vulnerability of the around Debrecen city (Eastern Hungary). Land Use
network to subsequent disruptions. In this study, the Policy 57, 574-581
integration of different metrics was achieved using a
network-based approach while assessing the importance IMD (2010). Indian Meteorological Department, Ever
of landscape patches. As we have shown in the study, the Recorded Maximum Temperature, Minimum
multifunctional connectivity can help a related researcher Temperature and 24 Hours Heaviest Rainfall up to 2010,
to assess different connectivity aspects of individual 67p.
patches in an integrated way without being limited to Janakiraman, A., Naveed, M. S., Muthupriya, P.,
either one of these conceptual assessments. As Baranyi et Sugumaran, J., Sheriff, M. A., Altaff, K. (2013). Studies
al., pointed out in 2011, these methods purpose to indicate on the zooplankton biodiversity and density in Adyar
and rank the relative contribution of landscape patches to estuary, Chennai, India. Journal of Environmental
the maintenance of connectivity, it is importance to gain Biology 34(2) ,273-275.
a clear understanding their relationships and practical
differences for the analysis of fragmented landscape Kong, F., Yin, H., Nakagoshi, N., Zong, Y. (2010). Urban
networks. Findings from the study will provide a better green space network development for biodiversity
understanding of the relationships between landscape conservation: identification based on graph theory and
patches and it will also contribute to ecological research gravity modeling. Landscape and Urban Planning 95 (1–
and applications on the region by revealing the 2), 16–27.
connections and relations between landscape patches. Kuşçu Şimşek, Ç , Türk, T , Ödül, H , Çelik, M. (2018).
Detection Of Paragliding Fields by GIS. International
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