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Conclusions: Elk consistently selected for big basin sagebrush, greasewood, and tree cover; and consistently selected against Wyoming sagebrush, mixed shrub, and bare ground/sand. Selection patterns were similar during the winter, except big basin sagebrush and mixed shrubs were selected in proportion to their availability. Elk tend to prefer areas characterized by edge habitat where quality forage and cover habitats are in close proximity to one another. Thresholds/Learnings: Elk use was highest in summer in areas characterized by diverse habitats and >2800m away from major roads. High use areas during winter were similar, although elk tended to use areas slightly closer to roads (>2100m away), which is largely...
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Conclusions: At small spatial scales, where extirpation risks are high, landscape fragmentation will likely have long-term negative consequences on the genetic variation of individual assemblages of coastal cutthroat trout. Thresholds/Learnings: Synopsis: This study aimed to determine if coastal cutthroat trout were genetically structured within streams and to assess the effects of habitat fragmentation on coastal cutthroat trout genetic variation. Habitat fragmented by roads and other human disturbances acted as dispersal barriers, which strongly influenced coastal cutthroat trout genetic structure, diversity, and differentiation. At range-wide spatial scales, fragmentation potentially contributes to coastal cutthroat...
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Conclusions: The nature of the surrounding matrix contributes significantly to the degree of patch isolation; matrix modification may improve habitat connectivity and genetic distribution in fragmented landscapes. Thresholds/Learnings: Synopsis: This study challenges traditional assumptions about the uniform nature of the matrix, and the reliance on distance alone as an indicator of patch isolation, by testing whether the type of inter-patch matrix contributes significantly to patch isolation in butterfly populations. The author tracked the movement of six butterfly species between patches of meadow habitat through two natural matrix types (conifer forest and willow thicket). All taxa of butterflies studied responded...
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Conclusions: Habitat associations of prairie rattlesnakes appear to differ depending on whether snakes are hibernating, foraging, or reproducing. Most rattlesnake hibernacula occur within 4 km of a major river, drainage, or coulee, on relatively gentle slopes, but they migrate as far as 25 km away from dens in summer. High road densities present unfavorable habitat conditions for snakes because they are a significant cause of mortality. *Note that this study generated landscape level models with coarse variables, and the thresholds and values used may not be directly applicable to other areas or for site-specific analysis. Thresholds: Most rattlesnake hibernacula occur within 4 km of a major river, drainage, or...
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Conclusions: The amount of upstream impervious area affects downstream fish habitat quality, channel stability, and water quality. The use of riparian buffers can reduce the magnitude of urban impacts, however, they cannot fully mitigate the impacts of upstream development in the watershed. Threshold percentages of impervious areas , as well as the percentage of forest cover in a watershed appear to be the most effective indicators of watershed health. Thresholds/Learnings: Impervious areas should be kept at or below 10% of a watershed, and forest cover should be maintained at a minimum of 65% in order to effectively mitigate the impacts of urbanization and development on watersheds. Synopsis: This paper articulates...
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Synopsis: This study examined the effect of road improvement and environmental variables on exotic and native plant diversity in roadside verges and adjacent semi-arid grassland, shrubland, and woodland communities of southern Utah. Researchers measured the cover of exotic and native species in roadside verges and both the richness and cover of exotic and native species in adjacent interior communities (50 meters beyond the edge of the road) along 42 roads stratified by level of road improvement (paved, improved surface, graded, and four-wheel drive track). Exotic species richness and cover were more than 50% greater, and the richness of native species 30% lower, at patch interiors adjacent to paved roads than those...
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Synopsis: This study monitored the response of a species of pine bark beetle, Trypodendron lineatum, to direct and indirect measures of habitat availability in a forest subjected to various levels of harvest intensities. Four stand types (conifer dominated, mixed, deciduous dominated, and deciduous dominated with conifer understory) were treated with four levels of harvest intensity (unharvested, 50%, 80%, and 90% harvested). Prior to harvest, the pine bark beetle was most abundant in stands with many host trees (conifer dominated stands). In the first and second summers after harvest, pine beetle abundance increased exponentially with percent spruce cover and the number of spruce stumps in the stand. Beetles were...
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Synopsis: This model is based around Native Prairie Cover types, and Soil Texture. Native Prairie Class (NPC) is derived from the Native Prairie Vegetation Baseline Inventory developed by AlbertaEnvironment. Class I is comprised of greater than 75% native prairie components (i.e. shrubs, graminoids, riparian areas, lakes, wetlands, and trees), Class 2 is 50 - 75%, Class 3 is 25 - 50%, Class 4 is 1 - 25%, and Class 5 is no native prairie components. Native prairie is probably the most important and limiting factor for ferruginous hawks. Although hawks have been found in areas that were primarily under cultivation), they were in close proximity to prairie in good condition. Overall NPC was selected over its individual...
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Conclusions: Nest predators with different home-range sizes and habitat affinities responded to landscape configuration in different ways. Influence of landscape structure varied across scale. Thresholds/Learnings: Herbaceous cover was negatively associated with predation in roadsides whereas the proximity of woody cover was positively associated with predation rates. Synopsis: This study evaluated the influence of habitat structure and spatial configuration on nest predation in central Iowa. In a multi-scale analysis of 10 artificial ground nests along 136 roadsides across six watersheds, researchers found that predation was affected by the surrounding landscape mosaic. Nest predators with different home-range...
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Conclusions: Emigration rates are closely tied to edge structure. Low contrast edges promote edge permeability Thresholds/Learnings: Synopsis: The behavior of two butterfly species, one habitat specialist and one habitat generalist, were tracked at four prairie edges to determine the extent to which edge structure affects emigration. The specialist species responded strongly to all edges, and was particularly affected by edge density. The generalist species responded strongly only to high contrast edges. Emigration rates are closely tied to edge structure. Therefore, promoting low contrast edges in conservation planning may positively influence edge permeability and species richness in highly fragmented landscapes.
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Synopsis: A simulation model, modified from percolation theory, was empirically tested to determine if population distribution patterns correlated with different landscape patterns, for different species across a landscape. Using two grasshopper species in a short-grass prairie of north-central Colorado, the experiment found that the threshold for population aggregation (random to clumped distribution) was differentially affected by dispersal ranges and habitat specialization for habitat generalists and habitat specialists, respectively. Habitat generalists aggregated differentially depending on dispersal abilities. Generalist species with good dispersal abilities aggregated when <35% of the landscape consisted...
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Conclusions: Areas for roosting are likely the most limiting factor for the Western Small-footed Myotis. Unlike various other bats, this myotis does not roost in trees, but rather under rocks, and in holes and crevices found in rock outcrops within cliffs and coulees. Summer roosts can be found in cavities within cliffs, boulders, vertical banks, the ground, and talus slopes. Distance to water was also a significant factor affecting habitat suitability Thresholds/Learnings: Habitat for western small-footed myotis bats is ideally located within 1000m of water. Habitat located >3000m from water is deemed unsuitable. Synopsis: Areas for roosting are likely the most limiting factor for the Western Small-footed Myotis....
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Conclusions: Four plant species have been tested in the majority of field evaluations, while plants native to the test area and perennial plants are particularly underrepresented. Native plants useful in restoration of rare ecosystems can increase natural enemy abundance and provide ecosystem services as much as widely recommended non-natives. Thresholds/Learnings: Synopsis: The intentional provision of flowering plants and plant communities in managed landscapes to enhance natural enemies is termed habitat management and is a relatively new but growing aspect of conservation biology. The focus of most habitat management research has been on understanding the role of these plant-provided resources on natural enemy...
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Synopsis: This study evaluated the effects of landscape management on the spread of mountain pine beetle colonization in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Researchers used annual aerial survey data and geo-referenced locations of colonized trees that were cut and removed to assess if the area colonized and the spatial extent of pine beetles differed between monitoring and management zones. Pine beetles were allowed to follow their natural course in the monitoring zone, while an extensive eradication program involving cutting and burning colonized trees was established in the management zone. Management resulted in no detectable effect on the scale of the zone. However, at the sub-zone scale, the area affected...
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Conclusions: Soil texture, native prairie and grassland cover, and proximity to linear disturbances affect habitat suitability for burrowing owls. Native prairie coverage was considered the most critical variable in determining the most suitable habitat. The higher the percentage of native prairie, the more suitable it is for burrowing owl habitat.*Note that this study generated landscape level models with coarse variables, and the thresholds and values used may not be directly applicable to other areas or for site-specific analysis. Thresholds/Learnings: Synopsis: This report provides information on the habitat suitability requirements of the burrowing owl. Due to limited available data, the model that this...
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Conclusions: Seismic cutline proportion did not explain landscape use by grizzly bears, but secondary effects of cutlines on landscape structure did. Declining use was mainly associated with increasing proportions of closed forest, and increasing variation of inter-patch distances, while use was mainly increasing with increasing mean patch size. Thresholds/Learnings: Bears appear to use areas more when landscape patches tend to be larger, and mean patch size is generally reduced with additional seismic cutlines. Also, bears appear to use areas more when landscape patches are consistently spaced, and the spacing between landscape patches becomes more variable with additional seismic cutlines. Synopsis: This study...
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Synopsis: Resource managers confronted with preserving ecosystems for prairie wetland birds in fragmented landscapes require landscape studies that direct conservation efforts over broad geographic regions. We investigated the role of local and landscape factors affecting habitat suitability by integrating remotely sensed wetland and land-cover data with wetland bird habitat models. We linked habitat models with locations of easement and fee-title wetlands to evaluate spatial location and extent of protected, suitable habitat. We also simulated impacts of the loss of small wetlands on suitability of larger wetlands for mobile species that use multiple wetlands. Lastly, we evaluated the efficacy of waterfowl habitat...
map background search result map search result map Western Small-footed Myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum ciliolabrum) Butterfly responses to habitat edges in highly fragmented prairies of central Iowa. The matrix matters: effective isolation in fragmented landscapes. Influences of barriers to movement on within-watershed genetic variation of coastal cutthroat trout Maximizing ecosystem services from conservation biological control: The role of habitat management Seasonal distribution and habitat use patterns of elk in the Jack Morrow Hills Planning Area Ferruginous Hawk. Critical thresholds in species responses to landscape structure. Seismic cutlines, changing landscape metrics, and grizzly bear landscape use in Alberta Effects of landscape structure on nest predation on roadsides of a mid-western agroecosystem: a multi-scale analysis. Urbanization of aquatic systems: degradation thresholds, stormwater detection, and the limits of mitigation. Distribution of bark beetle, Trypodendron lineatum in a harvested landscape Effect of management on spatial spread of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) in Banff National Park. Prairie Rattlesnake. A landscape approach to conserving wetland bird habitat in the prairie pothole region of eastern South Dakota. Roads as conduits for exotic plant invasions in a semi-arid landscape. Burrowing Owl Influences of barriers to movement on within-watershed genetic variation of coastal cutthroat trout The matrix matters: effective isolation in fragmented landscapes. Seasonal distribution and habitat use patterns of elk in the Jack Morrow Hills Planning Area Urbanization of aquatic systems: degradation thresholds, stormwater detection, and the limits of mitigation. Seismic cutlines, changing landscape metrics, and grizzly bear landscape use in Alberta Effect of management on spatial spread of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) in Banff National Park. Distribution of bark beetle, Trypodendron lineatum in a harvested landscape A landscape approach to conserving wetland bird habitat in the prairie pothole region of eastern South Dakota. Butterfly responses to habitat edges in highly fragmented prairies of central Iowa. Effects of landscape structure on nest predation on roadsides of a mid-western agroecosystem: a multi-scale analysis. Roads as conduits for exotic plant invasions in a semi-arid landscape. Critical thresholds in species responses to landscape structure. Western Small-footed Myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum ciliolabrum) Maximizing ecosystem services from conservation biological control: The role of habitat management