Resumen

ROJAS, Carolina et al. Efectos de la urbanización sobre la conectividad ecológica de paisajes metropolitanos. Rev. Univ. geogr. [online]. 2017, vol.26, n.2, pp. 155-182. ISSN 1852-4265.

The landscape's urbanization has effects in medium-size cities of Latin America. In Chile, the urban growth and the development of forestry activities are affecting the functionality and biodiversity of the landscape. Concepcion Metropolitan Area (hereinafter CMA) is representative of the combination of both processes since it is surrounded by Forest Plantations. In this work, the changes of "Ecological Connectivity" in the CMA are evaluated as a significant landscape conservation attribute. They are analyzed through a parametric methodology computing indicators for landscape and ecosystem levels. Landscape metrics applied are based on principles of landscape ecology and processing of satellite images classified in geographic information systems (GIS). The results show that changes in the landscape of the CMA have generated a rural-urban landscape with high fragmentation of the valuable ecosystems for biodiversity and wetlands. At the same time, these ecosystems have low connectivity, especially those close to highly urbanized sectors.

Palabras llave : Urbanization; Plantations; Fragmentation; Ecological Connectivity; Wetlands.