A QGIS plugin to explore landscape connectivity through least-cost path networks and circuit theory

Abstract

Archaeological studies usually make use of Least-Cost Path networks to study landscape mobility. This method is the most common approach to predict or reconstruct ancient routes, whose path is seldom known. The reconstruction of communication lines in the landscape through least-cost path is often criticised as it can only compute a single route between two points. Nevertheless, different approaches to landscape mobility may help to overcome this constraint. Other fields such as ecology, evolution and conservation planning have developed functional connectivity models, which have various advantages over least-cost path networks. One of these explores circuit theory as well as random walk theory and its application in landscape connectivity in order to provide distinct possible paths. The current project involves the creation of a QGIS tool to work with both approaches and a comparison with a study case.