PS 24-76 - Assessing Conservation Priority Area to Improve Protected Area Connectivity Reflecting Ecosystem Services in Jeju Island, South Korea

Abstract: To enhance biodiversity, a higher level of ecological planning is required, along with existing protected areas. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to restore 30% of terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030. To achieve this goal, an approach is needed that considers not only the expansion of green infrastructure, but also the network between protected areas and ecosystem functions. The purpose of this study is to identify conservation priority areas comprehensively, and efficiently by reflecting ecosystem services. Therefore, Jeju Island was selected as a case study, and the optimal protection area was analyzed to promote a network between existing protection areas and areas with high protection values. Four ecosystem services (Carbon Stock, Habitat Quality, Water Yield, Scenic Quality) and a Species Distribution Model were used to consider ecosystem functions, and the Prioritizr R package, which reflected the exact integer linear programming algorithm, was used to select the optimal protected area. As a result of the analysis, the protected area was identified around the central national park in 17% of the target area for protection. In the case of 30% of the target area for protection, priority protection areas were additionally confirmed in the mid-mountainous area of Jeju Island and some urban areas. When the connectivity between priority protection areas was supplemented, approximately 80% of the area could be identified in the mid-mountainous area. This means that in order to emphasize the connectivity between protected areas, deriving an optimal protected area through area expansion centered on protected areas, rather than focusing on small patches, can improve ecosystem function and biodiversity.