Influence of spatial configuration and restoration strategies on functional connectivity in intensively managed agricultural landscapes

Abstract Introduction Habitat fragmentation in agricultural landscapes challenges biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience. In Chile's Mediterranean region, restoring habitat connectivity through spatial planning provides efficient opportunities to enhance biodiversity in intensively managed landscapes. Objectives This study identifies priority ecological corridors based on functional connectivity and evaluates how alternative restoration strategies influence connectivity outcomes in a fragmented agricultural landscape in central Chile. Methods Functional connectivity was assessed using resistance surfaces for forest mammals and graph‐theory metrics. Least‐cost paths were used to delineate corridor networks, and alternative corridor‐ and riparian‐based restoration scenarios were simulated. Restoration efficiency was evaluated by comparing gains in Equivalent Connected Area (ECA) relative to restored area. Results Following the identification of 60 functional connectivity corridors, restoring 10% of priority least‐cost corridors was the most spatially efficient strategy (148.6 ECA/ha). A targeted riparian restoration approach near least‐cost corridors also performed well (121.7 ECA/ha), offering a feasible option under land‐use constraints. In contrast, large‐scale restoration along full corridor networks and legal riparian buffers achieved higher total connectivity gains but required substantially larger areas. Conclusions Our findings highlight the value of spatially explicit corridor planning using least‐cost paths to improve connectivity gains per restored area under intensively managed land‐use constraints.