Saltmarsh sparrow refugia cores and connectivity scores
Dates
Publication Date
2021-07-15
Time Period
2020-01-01
Citation
Designing Sustainable Landscapes, University of Massachusetts, William V. DeLuca, Bradley W. Compton, and Ethan B. Plunkett, 20210715, Saltmarsh sparrow refugia cores and connectivity scores: .
Summary
We identified a set of cores for each species that include areas of high relative value to the species either in the present, the future, or both. We assessed and mapped the connections between each nearby pair of cores (both in the future and present) and used the pairwise connectivities to assemble a graph of connections and to score each core’s connectivity in the present and future. Finally, we created an overall score that combines the landscape capability value, the climate refugia value, and the connectivity of each core which we think is a good starting point for conservation of each species. In general we found that the highest habitat values, connectivity, and scores were concentrated both towards the center of each species [...]
Summary
We identified a set of cores for each species that include areas of high relative value to the species either in the present, the future, or both. We assessed and mapped the connections between each nearby pair of cores (both in the future and present) and used the pairwise connectivities to assemble a graph of connections and to score each core’s connectivity in the present and future. Finally, we created an overall score that combines the landscape capability value, the climate refugia value, and the connectivity of each core which we think is a good starting point for conservation of each species. In general we found that the highest habitat values, connectivity, and scores were concentrated both towards the center of each species range and towards the center of clusters of cores. This information will help conservation practitioners prioritize land that will not only remain or become climatically suitable for species given climate change but will also be accessible and thus habitable by those species.
This dataset delineates and characterizes conservation cores built for Saltmarsh sparrow based on their current 2020 Landscape Capability and future (2080) climate refugia, as well as the connectivity among the future and current cores. They are to be used to prioritize land for conservation in support of Saltmarsh sparrow.
