Datasets for Comparison of methods for estimating omnidirectional landscape connectivity

This repository holds the raster data and the configuration files (.ini)
files used to create the simulated resistance grids and omnidirectional
connectivity methods in "Comparison of methods for estimating
omnidirectional landscape connectivity". There are reisstance grids
for each of the two sections (simulated resistance grids and
omnidirectional connectivity methods) and .ini files for each run with
each method (point, wall-to-wall, and omniscape. The .ini files can be run
in Julia computing language. Ecological connectivity is an important
component of wildlife conservation. Omnidirectional circuit theory
algorithms model the flow of electric current across a resistance grid
from all directions, making them particularly useful for modeling
connectivity of multiple or widespread species, or when source and
destination sites are not specified, such as in the case of continuously
distributed species. Objectives. We compared three published
omnidirectional connectivity methods – the point-based method, the
wall-to-wall method, and the Omniscape method.  Methods. We
compared the three omnidirectional connectivity methods using ten
simulated resistance grids, representing commonly encountered landscape
features. We then used three Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) snow-track
datasets from Ontario, Canada to validate the ability of each method to
detect landscape use.  Results. Current density maps generated by
all three methods were highly correlated for most simulated landscapes,
with the exception of uniform resistance grids. In uniform grids, without
landscape features to guide current, each method revealed unique
node-placement biases. All three methods produced similar connectivity
maps for lynx, showing higher current at lynx presence locations compared
to absence locations. The main differences between methods were not in
their output, but in their implementation and use of computational
resources.  Conclusions. Our findings suggest that all of the
three currently published omnidirectional connectivity models produce
similar current density maps and can accurately map landscape
connectivity. We provide guidelines for selecting a method based on
factors such as computational resources, study area, and project
goals.