A landscape index of ecological integrity to inform landscape conservation

McGarigal, Kevin; Compton, Bradley W.; Plunkett, Ethan; DeLuca, William V.; Grand, Joanna; Ene, Eduard; Jackson, Scott D.

doi:10.1007/s10980-018-0653-9

Cited by 38 publications

(40 citation statements)

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“…McGarigal et al () developed LC models to incorporate independent models of habitat capability and climate suitability. Habitat capability projects the quantity, quality, and accessibility (via spatial configuration) of habitat across a landscape.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Habitat capability projects the quantity, quality, and accessibility (via spatial configuration) of habitat across a landscape. Importantly, it assesses each cell within the landscape at an appropriate home‐range scale for the species, accumulating local resource values and then returning a summarized value to the focal cell (McGarigal et al ). Landscape capability model outputs are spatially fine‐scale (30 m × 30 m grid) and temporally broad‐scale (∼5–10 yr).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Landscape capability model outputs are spatially fine‐scale (30 m × 30 m grid) and temporally broad‐scale (∼5–10 yr). We tested LC outputs created by McGarigal et al () as predictors of metrics of ruffed grouse and American woodcock breeding distribution for both broad and fine spatial scales. For point‐level analyses, we treated survey data as counts to test relative abundance and as presence‐absence data to test occurrence.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…States and counties in the Northeast United States examined in this study. Color gradient shows American woodcock landscape capability (LC), a spatial model reflecting the current capability of the landscape to provide accessible and suitable habitat at biologically relevant scales within counties used in this study; we obtained LC values from McGarigal et al (). Counties in gray had no usable Singing‐Ground Survey route data and were only used for the eBird validation of the LC model.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Maximizing effectiveness of conservation planning requires an understanding of the capability of landscapes to support animals. To accomplish this goal and inform landscape conservation design, the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative has supported the Designing Sustainable Landscapes project to develop regional, species‐specific models of landscape capability (LC) throughout the northeastern United States (McGarigal et al ). Landscape capability models have potential for use in conservation planning (Will et al ) because they are broad‐scale models that explicitly map species‐habitat relationships and independently model climate suitability, habitat capability, and prevalence (McGarigal et al ).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Landscape capability predicts upland game bird abundance and occurrence

et al. 2017

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Landscape capability (LC) models are a spatial tool with potential applications in conservation planning. We used survey data to validate LC models as predictors of occurrence and abundance at broad and fine scales for American woodcock (Scolopax minor) and ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). Landscape capability models were reliable predictors of occurrence but were less indicative of relative abundance at route (11.5–14.6 km) and point scales (0.5–1 km). As predictors of occurrence, LC models had high sensitivity (0.71–0.93) and were accurate (0.71–0.88) and precise (0.88 and 0.92 for woodcock and grouse, respectively). Models did not predict point‐scale abundance independent of the ability to predict occurrence of either species. The LC models are useful predictors of patterns of occurrences in the northeastern United States, but they have limited utility as predictors of fine‐scale or route‐specific abundances. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Landscape capability predicts upland game bird abundance and occurrence

et al. 2017

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Response of moose to a high‐density road network

Zeller

DeStefano

2018

J Wildl Manag

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Road networks and the disturbance associated with vehicle traffic alter animal behavior, movements, and habitat selection. The response of moose (Alces americanus) to roads has been documented in relatively rural areas, but less is known about moose response to roads in more highly roaded landscapes. We examined road‐crossing frequencies and habitat use of global positioning system (GPS)‐collared moose in Massachusetts, USA, where moose home ranges have road densities approximately twice that of previous studies. We compared seasonal road‐crossing frequencies of moose with a null movement model. We estimated moose travel speeds during road‐crossing events and compared them with speeds during other home range movements. To estimate the extent of the road effect zone and determine how roads influenced moose habitat use, we fit a third‐order resource selection function. With the exception of the lowest use road class (<10 vehicles/day), we found moose crossed roads less than expected based on the null movement model and frequency decreased with increasing road size and traffic. Moose crossed roads faster than they traveled during other times. This effect increased with increasing road use intensity. Overall, roads were a major factor determining what portions of Massachusetts moose used and how they moved among habitat patches. Our results suggest that moose in Massachusetts can adapt to a high‐density road network, but the road effect is still strongly negative and, in some cases, is more pronounced than in study areas with lower road densities. Future road construction and the expansion of road networks may have a large effect on moose and other wildlife. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

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Quantifying Ecological Integrity of Terrestrial Systems to Inform Management of Multiple-Use Public Lands in the United States

Carter

Fleishman

Leinwand

et al. 2019

Environmental Management

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The concept of ecological integrity has been applied widely to management of aquatic systems, but still is considered by many to be too vague and difficult to quantify to be useful for managing terrestrial systems, particularly across broad areas. Extensive public lands in the western United States are managed for diverse uses such as timber harvest, livestock grazing, energy development, and wildlife conservation, some of which may degrade ecological integrity. We propose a method for assessing ecological integrity on multiple-use lands that identifies the components of integrity and levels in the ecological hierarchy where the assessment will focus, and considers existing policies and management objectives. Both natural reference and societally desired environmental conditions are relevant comparison points. We applied the method to evaluate the ecological integrity of shrublands in Nevada, yielding an assessment based on six indicators of ecosystem structure, function, and composition, including resource- and stressor-based indicators measured at multiple scales. Results varied spatially and among indicators. Invasive plant cover and surface development were highest in shrublands in northwest and southeast Nevada. Departure from reference conditions of shrubland area, composition, patch size, and connectivity was highest in central and northern Nevada. Results may inform efforts to control invasive species and restore shrublands on federal lands in Nevada. We suggest that ecological integrity assessments for multiple-use lands be grounded in existing policies and monitoring programs, incorporate resource- and stressor-based metrics, rely on publicly available data collected at multiple spatial scales, and quantify both natural reference and societally desired resource conditions.

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A landscape index of ecological integrity to inform landscape conservation

Cited by 38 publications

References 38 publications

Landscape capability predicts upland game bird abundance and occurrence

Landscape capability predicts upland game bird abundance and occurrence

Response of moose to a high‐density road network

Quantifying Ecological Integrity of Terrestrial Systems to Inform Management of Multiple-Use Public Lands in the United States

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