Conserving Wildlife Habitats with Lansdcape Corridors in the Schoodic Region of Maine, USA

Church, Alyssia

"Humans have increasingly altered natural environments resulting in fragmentation and loss of wildlife habitat. This process has been especially noticeable on the east coast of the United States where most areas have experienced significant anthropogenic disturbances to ecosystems. However, with the exception of historic logging, the Schoodic region of Hancock County, Maine, has escaped mostly unscathed; but there are indications that development of this area is imminent. Therefore, to minimize the loss of wildlife habitats this study aims to identify essential habitats and map species presence in established conservation areas. The result is a practical approach to developing and conserving essential wildlife corridors within this region. Sampling sites were determined by a stratified random method using land cover types and property boundaries. Field observations (e.g., photo trapping, timed searches) and rapid habitat assessments along with electrical circuit theory (Circuitscape) and least-cost corridor models were used to determine where corridors should be placed. Corridor selection was based on habitat suitability grids for nine carnivores and five herptiles which were created using an improved land cover layer. Optimal corridors were chosen to provide a continuous path of lowest resistance and highest conductance possible for each species. These corridors were then overlaid using map algebra to create corridors that included the needs of multiple species. Establishing a separate corridor path for each taxonomic group proved to be the best plan of action since the outputs of both the Circuitscape and least-cost corridor models showed the paths to be dissimilar. However, all corridors were similar in that they required two road crossings and relied heavily on the habitats in and around a property that is destined for future development. Securing these habitat corridors will reduce the effects of human encroachment on wildlife populations as development encroaches. In comparing the two models I noticed that Circuitscape seems to be more sensitive to movement barriers such as roads, whereas the least-cost corridor model does not identify these barriers as strongly. I recommend that until the utility of Circuitscape is better understood conservationists should use a mixed method approach to corridor design by using a combination of both Circuitscape and the least-cost corridor models. This study not only confirms the presence of multiple species and their habitat preferences, but it also provides an improved land cover layer, habitat suitability grids, and a comparison of two corridor models, which will all serve as a starting point for future work. ". Management Recommendations: This thesis outlines some of the complications associated with the future development of the Schoodic area and why corridors and appropriate planning are necessary. Roads are of particular concern and specific recommendations are made. As well, recommendations are made as to how to improve the corridor models for use in the planning process. STUDY LOCATIONS:/ SCHOODIC PENINSULA.