Determining the Suitability of Functional Landscapes and Wildlife Corridors Utilizing Conservation GIS Methods in Denton County, Texas

Determining the Suitability of Functional Landscapes and Wildlife Corridors Utilizing Conservation GIS Methods in Denton County, Texas PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Corridors (Ecology)
Languages : en
Pages : 138

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Improving GIS-based Wildlife-Habitat Analysis

Improving GIS-based Wildlife-Habitat Analysis PDF Author: Jeffrey K. Keller
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319096087
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 141

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Book Description
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide a powerful tool for the investigation of species-habitat relationships and the development of wildlife management and conservation programs. However, the relative ease of data manipulation and analysis using GIS, associated landscape metrics packages, and sophisticated statistical tests may sometimes cause investigators to overlook important species-habitat functional relationships. Additionally, underlying assumptions of the study design or technology may have unrecognized consequences. This volume examines how initial researcher choices of image resolution, scale(s) of analysis, response and explanatory variables, and location and area of samples can influence analysis results, interpretation, predictive capability, and study-derived management prescriptions. Overall, most studies in this realm employ relatively low resolution imagery that allows neither identification nor accurate classification of habitat components. Additionally, the landscape metrics typically employed do not adequately quantify component spatial arrangement associated with species occupation. To address this latter issue, the authors introduce two novel landscape metrics that measure the functional size and location in the landscape of taxon-specific ‘solid’ and ‘edge’ habitat types. Keller and Smith conclude that investigators conducting GIS-based analyses of species-habitat relationships should more carefully 1) match the resolution of remotely sensed imagery to the scale of habitat functional relationships of the focal taxon, 2) identify attributes (explanatory variables) of habitat architecture, size, configuration, quality, and context that reflect the way the focal taxon uses the subset of the landscape it occupies, and 3) match the location and scale of habitat samples, whether GIS- or ground-based, to corresponding species’ detection locations and scales of habitat use.

Validating Alternative Methods of Modeling Wildlife Corridors Using Relocation Data from Migrating Elk and Dispersing Wolverines

Validating Alternative Methods of Modeling Wildlife Corridors Using Relocation Data from Migrating Elk and Dispersing Wolverines PDF Author: Meredith McClure Rainey
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Corridors (Ecology)
Languages : en
Pages : 486

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Book Description
Habitat loss and fragmentation increasingly impede wildlife movements that are essential for the long-term persistence of populations. Wildlife corridors facilitating movement have become a key component of conservation planning as a result. Models are increasingly used to identify likely corridors, but predictions are rarely validated against empirical data, resulting in uncertainty in whether corridors function as intended. This study asks: 1) What is the current state of our ability to predict corridors?, 2) How well do the most common models predict wildlife movement?, 3) Which method performs best?, and 4) How sensitive are models to parameterization decisions? I addressed these questions by synthesizing the corridor modeling literature, modeling migration paths of elk and dispersal paths of wolverines using the two most common corridor models (cost-distance and circuit theory models), validating predicted corridors against relocation data, and analyzing model sensitivity to parameterization. An additional question, 5) What drives habitat selection during long-distance migration and dispersal movements?, is also explored through these analyses. Key findings include: 1) Corridor modeling has progressed enormously in recent years, but model validation has been rare, 2) Corridor models are capable of offering valuable information, but their utility depends on conservation objectives, 3) Relative model performance depends on the match between model assumptions and focal species movement ecology, 4) Both models have similar sensitivity to model parameters, but spatial patterns of sensitivity are unpredictable for circuit theory models, and 5) The drivers of habitat selection during long-distance movements may be similar to those of primary habitat selection, but further research is needed. These studies constitute the most rigorous, comprehensive effort to validate corridor model predictions to date. They are expected to offer guidance for conservation scientists and practitioners as to reasonable expectations for corridor model performance, the importance of selecting methods appropriate to species movement ecology, and which decisions in the modeling process matter most. This work also highlights the need for further collection of data suitable for model validation, broader comparison of corridor models across diverse species and landscapes, and continued study of the ecology of long-distance movements.

Riparian Areas

Riparian Areas PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309082951
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 449

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Book Description
The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that wetlands be protected from degradation because of their important ecological functions including maintenance of high water quality and provision of fish and wildlife habitat. However, this protection generally does not encompass riparian areasâ€"the lands bordering rivers and lakesâ€"even though they often provide the same functions as wetlands. Growing recognition of the similarities in wetland and riparian area functioning and the differences in their legal protection led the NRC in 1999 to undertake a study of riparian areas, which has culminated in Riparian Areas: Functioning and Strategies for Management. The report is intended to heighten awareness of riparian areas commensurate with their ecological and societal values. The primary conclusion is that, because riparian areas perform a disproportionate number of biological and physical functions on a unit area basis, restoration of riparian functions along America's waterbodies should be a national goal.

Transportation Planning Handbook

Transportation Planning Handbook PDF Author: ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers)
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118762355
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 1204

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Book Description
A multi-disciplinary approach to transportation planning fundamentals The Transportation Planning Handbook is a comprehensive, practice-oriented reference that presents the fundamental concepts of transportation planning alongside proven techniques. This new fourth edition is more strongly focused on serving the needs of all users, the role of safety in the planning process, and transportation planning in the context of societal concerns, including the development of more sustainable transportation solutions. The content structure has been redesigned with a new format that promotes a more functionally driven multimodal approach to planning, design, and implementation, including guidance toward the latest tools and technology. The material has been updated to reflect the latest changes to major transportation resources such as the HCM, MUTCD, HSM, and more, including the most current ADA accessibility regulations. Transportation planning has historically followed the rational planning model of defining objectives, identifying problems, generating and evaluating alternatives, and developing plans. Planners are increasingly expected to adopt a more multi-disciplinary approach, especially in light of the rising importance of sustainability and environmental concerns. This book presents the fundamentals of transportation planning in a multidisciplinary context, giving readers a practical reference for day-to-day answers. Serve the needs of all users Incorporate safety into the planning process Examine the latest transportation planning software packages Get up to date on the latest standards, recommendations, and codes Developed by The Institute of Transportation Engineers, this book is the culmination of over seventy years of transportation planning solutions, fully updated to reflect the needs of a changing society. For a comprehensive guide with practical answers, The Transportation Planning Handbook is an essential reference.

Desert Tortoise (Mojave Population), Recovery Plan

Desert Tortoise (Mojave Population), Recovery Plan PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 406

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Landscape Heterogeneity and Disturbance

Landscape Heterogeneity and Disturbance PDF Author: Monica G. Turner
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 146124742X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
Landscape pattern is generated by a variety of processes, including disturbances. In turn, the heterogeneity of the landscape may enhance or retard the spread of disturbance. The complex relationship between landscape pattern and disturbance is the subject of this book. It is designed to present an illustrative analysis of the topic, presenting the perspectives of several different disciplines. The book includes conceptual considerations, empirical studies, and management examples. Important features include: hypotheses about the spread of disturbance and the effects of scale changes in landscape studies; the multidisciplinary approach; and the explicit focus on the landscape level. The intended audience comprises graduate students, academics, and professionals interested in landscape ecology. The reader will receive a state-of-the-art treatment of a current topic in landscape ecology.

Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples in the United States

Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples in the United States PDF Author: Julie Koppel Maldonado
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319052667
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 178

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Book Description
With a long history and deep connection to the Earth’s resources, indigenous peoples have an intimate understanding and ability to observe the impacts linked to climate change. Traditional ecological knowledge and tribal experience play a key role in developing future scientific solutions for adaptation to the impacts. The book explores climate-related issues for indigenous communities in the United States, including loss of traditional knowledge, forests and ecosystems, food security and traditional foods, as well as water, Arctic sea ice loss, permafrost thaw and relocation. The book also highlights how tribal communities and programs are responding to the changing environments. Fifty authors from tribal communities, academia, government agencies and NGOs contributed to the book. Previously published in Climatic Change, Volume 120, Issue 3, 2013.

Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual

Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Eutrophication
Languages : en
Pages : 258

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Geomorphic Processes and Riverine Habitat

Geomorphic Processes and Riverine Habitat PDF Author: American Geophysical Union. Meeting
Publisher: American Geophysical Union
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Water Science and Application Series, Volume 4. Declines in fish populations and the loss of riverine habitat from human demands on the environment intensify year by year. By considering why and how, and by proposing restoration methods and mitigation strategies, scientists respond forcefully to improve disturbed ecosystems. Geomorphic Processes and Riverine Habitat presents results from recent research in fluvial geomorphology related to the assessment and characterization of riverine and riparian habitat, and the response of biota to changes in their environment. As our understanding of formative processes and how humans occupy and shape the environment grows, we can minimize our impact while enhancing our ability to restore and rehabilitate degraded river systems. For scientists, researchers and students of riverine habitat.