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Table 2 Hierarchy of evidence based on the type of data recorded

From: Does structural connectivity facilitate movement of native species in Australia’s fragmented landscapes?: a systematic review protocol

Quality of evidence – measuring effective dispersal

I-1

Individuals followed directly so dispersal paths known—individuals followed until death or successful reproduction.

I-2

Individuals followed directly so dispersal paths known but only followed until settlement.

I-3

Individuals followed directly so dispersal paths known but only for part of dispersal search path.

I-4

Movement path known but unknown whether for dispersal or other purposes.

II-1

Between-patch movement known from mark-recapture data, genetic assignment tests, or radiotelemetry data but movement path not known.

II-2

Between-patch dispersal inferred from population genetic data.

III-1

Between-patch movement inferred from presence in connecting landscape element (e.g. in corridor or stepping stone between patches)

III-2

Between-patch dispersal inferred from presence/absence data in patches.

  1. Data are generally assumed to be more reliable to the extent that dispersal (or other movement) was actually observed rather than inferred.