3.2 Spatial distribution of the cumulative current map and
least-cost paths
Fig. 3 shows the cumulative current map, least-cost paths and current
flow centrality results for North China leopard. Two main corridors were
identified by the cumulative current map. The larger corridor is
recognized in the middle of the southern part of the study area,
spanning the Taiyue Mountain and some part of the Taihang Mountain,
including 12 nature reserves. Another large corridor is detected in the
western part of the study area, mainly crossing along the Lvliang
Mountains and including 6 nature reserves. 33 minimum cost distance
paths were determined in 1990, of which 17 were less than 110 km.
Nevertheless, there were 34 minimum cost distance paths in 2020, with 18
paths less than 110 km. In 1990, the least-cos paths with higher
centrality were among the nature reserve of 3-2-17-18, 13-14 and
5-7-8-10-12-11-9, while in 2020 were among the nature reserve of
3-2-17-18, 13-14, 5-7-8-10 and 11-9.