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Abstract
Landscape Connectivity of Unroaded Areas in the Southern Appalachians
Track: Ecology, Archaeology, and Conservation
Author(s): Hugh Irwin
Maintaining and restoring the conservation integrity of large areas requires identifying landscape connections that can serve as corridors for animal movements. The Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition is working to establish a networked system of conservation areas in the Southern Appalachian region. A methodology will be presented that was used to determine potential landscape connections between remaining unroaded areas. The study, which used ArcGIS and Least Cost Path analysis in Grid or Spacial Analyst, accounts for the biological effects of different classes of roads and categorizes three levels of connectivity. This methodology should have application for conservation efforts in other regions.
Hugh Irwin
Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition
Conservation Planning
46 Haywood Street
Suite 323
Asheville , NC 28801-2838
USA
Phone: 828-252-9223x19
Fax: 828-252-9074
E-mail: hugh@safc.org