@article{f93b93c812cc4c42af366df25756bd70,
title = "Urban growth and landscape connectivity threats assessment at Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA",
abstract = "Urban and exurban expansion results in habitat and biodiversity loss globally. We hypothesize that a coupled-model approach could connect urban planning for future cities with landscape ecology to consider wildland habitat connectivity. Our work combines urban growth simulations with models of wildlife corridors to examine how species will be impacted by development to test this hypothesis. We leverage a land use change model (SLEUTH) with structural and functional landscape-connectivity modeling techniques to ascertain the spatial extent and locations of connectivity related threats to a national park in southern Arizona, USA, and describe how protected areas might be impacted by urban expansion. Results of projected growth significantly altered structural connectivity (80%) when compared to current (baseline) corridor conditions. Moreover, projected growth impacted functional connectivity differently amongst species, indicating resilience of some species and near-complete displacement of others. We propose that implementing a geospatial-design-based model will allow for a better understanding of the impacts management decisions have on wildlife populations. The application provides the potential to understand both human and environmental impacts of land-system dynamics, critical for long-term sustainability.",
keywords = "Landscape connectivity modeling, SLEUTH, Saguaro National Park, conservation planning, wildlife corridors",
author = "Ryan Perkl and Norman, {Laura M.} and David Mitchell and Mark Feller and Garrett Smith and Wilson, {Natalie R.}",
note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the U.S. Geological Survey, Land Change Science (LCS) Program; and the National Park Service (NPS), through Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (DSCESU) and Saguaro National Park (SNP) [CESU Master Agreement Number: HI200100001,Cooperative Agreement Number: P13AC00690]; The authors would like to thank the National Park Service (NPS), the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (DSCESU), and Saguaro National Park (SNP) for their support in executing this Cooperative Agreement. This work was funded under CESU Master Agreement Number: HI200100001 and Cooperative Agreement Number: P13AC00690. Research was conducted with support from the Land Change Science (LCS) Program, part of the Land Resources Mission Area of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Special thanks are due to Larry Norris, the NPS Southwest Research Coordinator at the start of the project and William Pat O?Brien, the interim NPS Southwest Research Coordinator at the time of completion; without their visionary leadership, this project would not have been possible. Additionally, special thanks are due to SNP staff members Natasha Kline, Becky MacEwen, Scott Stonum, and Don Swann for their thoughtful contributions, guidance, and review throughout the duration of this study. The authors would also like to thank U of A students from Dr. Perkl?s ?Geodesigning Landscape Linkages? class for their contributions to early permutations of this work, they include: Robbie Aaron, Kathryn Bannister, Kyle Benne, Timothy Donovan, Steven Gaiang, Nicholas Lieberman, Ben Madeo, Matthiue Laurent, Nick Sakellar, Samuel Sandford and Elizabeth Vanderleeuw. Funding Information: Research was conducted with support from the Land Change Science (LCS) Program, part of the Land Resources Mission Area of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Funding Information: This work was supported by the U.S. Geological Survey, Land Change Science (LCS) Program; and the National Park Service (NPS), through Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (DSCESU) and Saguaro National Park (SNP) [CESU Master Agreement Number: HI200100001,Cooperative Agreement Number: P13AC00690]; Funding Information: The authors would like to thank the National Park Service (NPS), the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (DSCESU), and Saguaro National Park (SNP) for their support in executing this Cooperative Agreement. This work was funded under CESU Master Agreement Number: HI200100001 and Cooperative Agreement Number: P13AC00690.",
year = "2018",
month = mar,
day = "4",
doi = "10.1080/1747423X.2018.1455905",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "13",
pages = "102--117",
journal = "Journal of Land Use Science",
issn = "1747-423X",
publisher = "Taylor and Francis Ltd.",
number = "1-2",
}