A GIS-based identification of potentially significant wildlife habitats associated with roads in Vermont

摘要: Since 1998, issues regarding wildlife conservation and transportation planning development in the State of Vermont have become part a rigorous collaborative effort between Fish Wildlife Department (Department) Agency Transportation (Vtrans). In recent years, these efforts increasingly sophisticated more broadly applied throughout state to understand better inherent conflicts strategies for improving movement, reducing mortality, safety traveling public. Given growing investment interest resources by agencies, it is necessary identify potentially significant wildlife-linkage habitat (WLH) state. Such information would allow agencies make informed decisions important WLH investments mitigation impacts associated with such as underpasses, land conservation, other measures. Geographic Information System (GIS)-based models been developed states Canada WLH. Many projects relied on landscape-level GIS data density, conditions, topography, among others. This project was designed develop GIS-based analysis using landscape-scale or predict location WLHs roads Vermont. available including: (a) land-use land-cover data; (b) development- density (c) contiguous-habitat (unfragmented habitat). The conserved lands also used way analyzing feasibility conserving ranking identified result this project. These were classified according their relative significance respect creating potential elements that comprise overall layers ranked accordance addition, we comprehensive, centralized database all road crossing, related species which exists involved updating an existing complimentary compile black bear habitats. It included incorporating moose collisions deer collisions. new databases created record bobcat, amphibian, reptile information. order expand improve road-mortality data, partnership VTrans field staff enabling them array consistent reliable fashion. analysis, conjunction newly updated provides scientifically based, tool will assist both understanding abilities conserve planning, permitting, secondary growth.