Urban growth and landscape connectivity threats assessment at Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA
Perkl R, Norman LM, Mitchell D, Feller M, Smith G, Wilson N. 2018. Urban growth and landscape connectivity threats assessment at Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA. Journal of Land Use Science. 13(1-2):17 pages
Urban and exurban expansion results in habitat and biodiversity loss globally. This study's hypothesis is that a coupled-model approach could connect urban planning for future cities with landscape ecology to consider wildland habitat connectivity. The work combines urban growth simulations with models of wildlife corridors to examine how species will be impacted by development to test this hypothesis. A better understanding of the ecological impacts of urbanization is critical to help guide the construction of cities as well as to inform policy and practices that can mitigate harm to surrounding natural lands. This study combines previously documented models from land-use planning with those from wildlife ecology to illustrate how a geospatial-design approach, whereby inventories of current landscape conditions are evaluated within the context of impacts resulting from future projections. Results can be used to help better guide current land-decision making processes for future populations.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Perkl, Ryan; Norman, Laura; Mitchell, David; Feller, Mark; Smith, Garrett; Wilson, Natalie
- Units
- SAGU
- Keywords
- Landscape connectivity modeling; wildlife corridors; SLEUTH; conservation planning; Saguaro National Park
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Desert Communities , NPS.gov Subject Site: Biodiversity , NPS.gov Subject Site: Deserts