Identifying priority areas for conservation based on the evaluation of ecological network resilience in the Hyrcanian Forest ecosystem.

This article focuses on identifying priority conservation areas in the Hyrcanian Forest ecosystem of northern Iran by evaluating the resilience of its ecological network. Using a combination of morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA), ecosystem service (ES) quantification, habitat risk assessment (HRA), and network analysis methods—including circuit theory and node removal simulations—the study delineates critical habitat patches (nodes) and corridors essential for maintaining connectivity and ecosystem functions. Results highlight that core forest areas, especially in the northern edges of the forest, are under significant human threat and fragmentation risk, with moderate overall network connectivity and low efficiency indicating vulnerability to further disturbance. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating landscape connectivity and resilience metrics in conservation planning to prioritize protection and restoration efforts, particularly focusing on high-risk patches and pinch points to sustain biodiversity and ecological processes in the Hyrcanian Forest.