Landscape Connectivity Analysis: Priority Green Spaces for Santiago's Green Infrastructure System
Abstract
Connectivity is one of the fundamental pillars for the optimal functioning of green infrastructure, as it constitutes an interconnected system of green spaces. A connected green infrastructure network can maintain flows of matter and energy, biodiversity, and ecosystem services across a landscape. The primary objective of this thesis was to identify the priority green spaces to be conserved and restored in order to improve the connectivity of Santiago's green infrastructure. Morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) was used to identify the cores to be connected for generating least-cost landscape corridors; the cores initially identified by MSPA are mainly natural green spaces and, to a lesser extent, urban green areas. Based on connectivity modelling using graph theory and circuit theory, a least-cost corridor network was generated to identify the priority areas to be conserved and restored for improving green infrastructure connectivity in Santiago. The highest-quality least-cost corridors extended through natural and agro-forestry land-use types in peri-urban sectors. Through landscape metrics such as the probability of connectivity index and current flow centrality, the most important cores were identified; these are distributed mainly in the Andean cordillera sector, composed of natural and agro-forestry spaces. Priority conservation areas are limited in both number and extent, concentrated primarily at the foothills of the Andes — such as Bosque Panul and Parque Natural San Carlos de Apoquindo — located outside the urban boundary established by the Metropolitan Regulatory Plan of Santiago. Barriers — elements whose removal could significantly improve connectivity — are concentrated in the corridors of the central urban core of Santiago and correspond mainly to residential areas, infrastructure, and some green spaces. This work contributes significant information for the design of plans and projects to ensure the connectivity and spatial integrity of Santiago's green infrastructure network.
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