Multi-ecosystem services networks: A new perspective for assessing landscape connectivity and resilience

The sustainability of natural systems is dependent on ecosystem services (ES), the delivery of which would cease without strong connectivity among the ecological processes underlying their production. However, research on the connectivity between multiple ES is in its infancy. Preliminary studies have focused on the flows of individual ES, but research has yet to expand to incorporating the interactions and feedbacks that occur between several different types of ES, and how such complex relationships might influence landscape sustainability. Our objective is to present a viewpoint on how spatial network theory can be used to assess connectivity between multiple ES and landscape ecological resilience. We provide an overview of knowledge and gaps in the literature linking connectivity, networks and ES concepts. We propose a spatial network theory-based approach for the assessment of multi-ES interactions and flows, and present how ecological process flows can be used to develop spatially explicit network nodes and links between multiple ES across landscapes. To illustrate our proposed approach, we provide a design framework and assessment of a simple conceptual multi-ES network. The use of multi-ES networks can help evolve our understanding of landscape connectivity and resilience, and incorporate complex ES relationships into applied planning and management programs.