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31 <br /> METHODS <br /> LANDSCAPE CORRIDOR ANALYSIS <br /> Approach and tools <br /> This project generally followed the steps outlined in NatureServe's Landscope America guide, <br /> "Connecting Landscapes:A Practitioner's Resource for Assessing and Planning for Habitat Connectivity" <br /> (Figure 7) (NatureServe/Landscope America 2019). The project used a spatially explicit, GIS-based <br /> approach to identify corridors and analyze connectivity in the project area. Within this broad approach,a <br /> variety of methods and tools exist to accommodate different objectives and scales of analysis(see <br /> examples at Conservation Corridor: Programs and Tools, https://conservationcorridor.org/corridor- <br /> toolbox/programs-and-tools/). <br /> Roadmap for Assessing Con nectivq Figure 7.An outline of the Landscope America Roadmap for <br /> Assessing Connectivity(Reproduced from NatureServe/ <br /> Landscope America 2019). <br /> Based on the scale of the project area,the group's objectives, <br /> and the need for compatibility with other planning tools,this <br /> project used resistance-surface-based connectivity modeling <br /> (Wade et al. 2015)to identify a habitat-corridor network <br /> across the project area, defined as a connected set of discrete <br /> wildlife habitat patches and least cost corridors between them <br /> N (Figure 8a). Least cost corridor mapping(Wade et al. 2015, <br /> Etherington 2016)uses knowledge of species' habitat needs <br /> and movement behaviors to map pathways of different relative <br /> N movement cost for a species across a given landscape,using a <br /> cost surface(or resistance surface)that excludes movement <br /> barriers. Rather than using the single least cost path, a cost <br /> threshold is used to identify the areas of lowest movement cost <br /> 0 1-Characterize coals and scope (least cost corridors)connecting pairs of discrete habitat areas <br /> (Wade et al. 2015) (Figure 8b). <br /> 2-Identify antl Engage Partners <br /> Least cost corridors are intended to represent areas that, over <br /> 0 3-Identity Targets of Connectivity Planning time, are most hospitable or conducive to successful <br /> movement of a species between habitat areas. For example, a <br /> d-Characterize Biology and Ecology spotted salamander living in a moist forest habitat may <br /> 0 s-Identify Barriers to Connectivity typically stay within several hundred meters of its breeding <br /> pond;however, its offspring may disperse several kilometers <br /> N 0 &-Choose Modeling Approach and Tool{s} across the landscape to find mates and new breeding ponds <br /> (NatureServe 2019c). For this dispersal to be successful, an <br /> -Develop Model inputs individual salamander must choose a movement path that is <br /> E-Review and Validate Results safe(from predation by other species) and has environmental <br /> conditions it can tolerate(sufficient moisture, sufficient food <br /> 3-Interpret and Summarize Results and shelter for the journey, or a relative short journey between <br /> habitat patches). The salamander may actively avoid moving <br /> 10-Incorporate Into[decision-Making into or across areas that it perceives as threatening(roads with <br /> traffic) or inhospitable(open fields or dry, sunny conditions), <br /> 18 A Landscape Plan for Wildlife Habitat Connectivity <br />