Impacts of anthropogenic land transformation on species-specific habitat amount, fragmentation, and connectivity in the Adirondack-to-Laurentians (A2L) transboundary wildlife linkage between 2000 and 2015: Implications for conservation and ecological restoration

• Published in: Landscape ecology Vol. 38; no. 10; pp. 2591 - 2621
• Main Authors: Cole, Jonathan R., Koen, Erin L., Pedersen, Eric J., Gallo, John A., Kross, Angela, Jaeger, Jochen A. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.10.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Alces alces; Anthropogenic factors; Bears; Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Connectivity; Ecology; Ecosystem integrity; Environmental Management; Environmental restoration; Fragmentation; Habitat fragmentation; Habitat loss; Habitats; Human influences; Integrity; Landscape Ecology; Landscape/Regional and Urban Planning; Life Sciences; Nature Conservation; Research Article; Sustainable Development; Transformations (mathematics); Ursus americanus; Wildlife; Habitat loss; Black bear; Fisher; Effective mesh size; Linkage mapper; White-tailed deer; Least-cost corridors; Circuitscape; Moose
• ISSN: 0921-2973; 1572-9761
• DOI: 10.1007/s10980-023-01727-6

Context The Adirondack-to-Laurentians (A2L) transboundary wildlife linkage is one of three north–south movement linkages that connect natural areas in northeastern USA and southeastern Canada. This region still retains habitats of high ecological integrity and biodiversity; however, anthropogenic land transformation may be putting transboundary connectivity at risk. Objectives We measured the impacts of anthropogenic land transformation on species-specific habitat amount, fragmentation, and connectivity in the A2L between 2000 and 2015. Methods We developed suitable habitat and resistance models for the American black bear ( Ursus americanus ), fisher ( Pekania pennanti ), moose ( Alces alces ), and white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) to identify suitable and optimal habitat patches for each species. We quantified habitat amount, fragmentation, and connectivity, and used Linkage Mapper and Circuitscape to map corridors and pinch-points important for connectivity. Results In the A2L between 2000 and 2015, suitable and optimal habitat patch area declined considerably, fragmentation increased, and inter-patch connectivity decreased for each species. Moose and black bear habitat patches experienced the greatest habitat loss, fragmentation, and decline in inter-patch connectivity. The majority of habitat patch area loss and fragmentation occurred in the southern Québec and Ontario portions. Conclusions To achieve long-term functionality of the A2L, collaborative and coordinated measures will be necessary to preserve the integrity of the Québec mega-patch, restore extensive habitat in eastern Ontario, and reestablish or maintain connectivity throughout the linkage. Left unaddressed, continued anthropogenic land transformation is likely to have detrimental effects on the ability of the A2L to function as a transboundary wildlife linkage.