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.