Wildlife across the globe is encountering a rising difficulty: navigating securely through a landscape that is becoming more divided. Highways, city expansion, and other human-created obstacles can hinder animals from reaching food sources, shelter, and places to mate, while also raising the likelihood of accidents involving vehicles and wildlife.
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To tackle this problem, scientists from Portland State University (PSU) undertook a pioneering initiative to comprehend and preserve the movement habits of Oregon’s animals.
The Oregon Connection Evaluation and Mapping Initiative (OCAMI)was a long-term partnership focused on charting the living areas and movement paths of native species throughout the state. The study group developed an interactivePriority Wildlife Corridor Mapof Oregon, which can help ensure wild animals’ capacity to travel between locations.
In June 2019, the Oregon Legislature enactedHouse Bill 2834, which required the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to create aWildlife Corridor Action Planto offer direction for the identification and preservation of animal passageways in Oregon.
The legislation also required the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to create an initiative aimed at minimizing animal-vehicle accidents in regions where wildlife passageways outlined in the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan overlap with planned or current public roadways.
Rachel Wheat, who serves as the Wildlife Connectivity Coordinator for ODFW, oversaw the project. The research team from Portland State University was headed by Martin Lafrenz from the Geography department, Catherine De Rivera from Environmental Sciences and Management, and Daniel Taylor-Rodriguez from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Lafrenz is a geomorphologist who examines the impact of human activities on the water cycle and landforms, De Rivera investigates how human-induced changes in habitat connectivity influence animal populations and ecosystems, and Taylor-Rodriguez specializes in using statistical techniques for large-scale issues, with a focus on ecological applications.
The study received assistance from PSU master’s students Amanda Temple, Claire Brumbaugh-Smith, and Alana Simmons, as well as doctoral candidates Leslie Bliss Ketchum and Jacob Schultz.
A significant number of researchers, environmental organizations, government agencies, and other entities contributed to the completion of OCAMP—part of Oregon’s broader conservation initiative—and the information utilized in the project was gathered from numerous sources.
Many biologists were involved in this project, and several of them were familiar with one another. As a result, we contacted specific individuals, who then connected us with additional people. Over the course of more than a year, numerous connections were made, and participants provided us with any data they had regarding animal presence or tracking,” Lafrenz said.
Lafrenz’s group identified important habitats and migration paths utilized by various species, while Taylor-Rodriguez’s team utilized the information to verify that the maps corresponded with actual species movement and habitat utilization.
Linking scientific research to transportation innovations
Although the Priority Wildlife Connectivity Areas map has various uses—ranging from land preservation to the placement of renewable energy projects—one of the most pressing applications is in transportation development. ODOT can utilize this map to locate road sections that present the highest danger for animal-vehicle accidents and find optimal spots for wildlife passages, like tunnels or bridges.
Wildlife-vehicle collisions pose threats to both animals and human safety, as well as incur significant costs. Using OCAMP data for strategic planning allows transportation agencies to minimize these dangers while promoting Oregon’s natural diversity.
Previously, connectivity mapping in Oregon depended mainly on expert judgment, which resulted in decision-makers lacking the strong data required to support policy and development. The OCAMP project addressed a significant information gap, providing scientifically grounded connectivity models for 54 species that reflect various movement behaviors and habitat requirements.
These models were integrated to develop the Priority Wildlife Connectivity Areas Map, providing a comprehensive view of the most essential regions for animal movement across the state.
“We utilized tracking data when available, along with presence and absence data to confirm the animals’ locations. After that, we combined all the species,” Lafrenz stated.
In the last map, what stands out is that it isn’t focused on a specific species. It’s simply about animal pathways, in a general sense. If we are truly interested in a particular animal, we can always go back into the data for more details.
But what the Legislature aimed for was simply a map of animal corridors in general that they could reference, saying, Okay, you’re going to carry out this project. It will affect this corridor. Therefore, you must include some form of crossing structure or barriers or other measures to reduce the impact.
Who is eligible to utilize this study?
“Now that we have this data, the next major step is to move into action. So how can we ensure this tool is utilized efficiently? There are several methods we’ve employed, particularly within state government. We are collaborating with ODOT to inform them about where these Priority Wildlife Connectivity Areas overlap with our state highway network. Additionally, we are working with the Department of Land Conservation and Development to assist in planning and mitigation for new developments,” Wheat said.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has shared the Priority Wildlife Connectivity Areas map and related resources with groups such as the Association of Oregon Counties and the League of Oregon Cities, along with federal land management agency collaborators.
“There are applications for the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, Land Trusts, soil and water conservation districts, and watershed councils; essentially anyone involved in conservation efforts can gain from this particular tool. There are also scenarios where members of the public can find it useful,” Wheat said.
A study conducted by the research group,Visualizing Animal Movement in a World Without Highways, was released in the journalFrontiers in Environmental Science,
“In that study, we removed all the roads from southwestern Oregon and then ran our model again. We examined where animals would travel if there were no roads compared to their current movement patterns. We discovered that roads significantly affected connectivity, influencing it far beyond just the area directly covered by the roads,” Lafrenz explained.
Assessing animal movement without existing roads enabled a thorough assessment of where mitigation efforts, like wildlife crossings and barriers, would be most effective. This groundbreaking method has real-world uses for improving wildlife connectivity across roadways. The high-resolution Priority Wildlife Connectivity Areas map also marks a new advancement in connectivity mapping; an area where other states could emulate Oregon’s example.
“Several states have undertaken comprehensive connectivity planning and mapping. What distinguishes OCAMP is the use of a more recent modeling technique, along with highly detailed spatial data. Many of the tools developed in other states previously are based on a much broader spatial scale. Our maps have a 30-meter resolution, allowing for a much more precise level of detail when focusing on smaller-scale initiatives,” Wheat explained.
How individuals can help
ODFW developed a project dedicated exclusively to roadkill in Oregonwhich utilizes information from iNaturalist, a web-based community platform for documenting encounters with animals and plants.
“One of the frequently asked questions we receive through our public outreach is, how can the typical individual contribute to improving connectivity? One of the most effective methods we’ve discovered is using iNaturalist,” Wheat said.
The state maintains some data regarding the locations where large animals, such as deer and elk, are struck by vehicles, as their maintenance teams remove them. However, ODFW has limited information about smaller species. This is where iNaturalist plays a role.
“Anyone possessing a mobile phone can venture out and capture an image of roadkill they encounter. Subsequently, we can utilize this data to pinpoint areas where roadkill frequently occurs and determine the locations that require focused efforts in implementing solutions such as wildlife crossings, changes to the habitat, or barriers aimed at preventing animals from being harmed on the roads,” Wheat stated.
Offering numerous uses for individuals, groups, and governmental bodies, the Priority Wildlife Connectivity Areas map serves as an essential resource for shaping a well-connected future. For PSU researchers, OCAMP demonstrates how scientific research can guide policy and produce practical outcomes.
Supplied by Portland State University
This narrative was first released onMathHotels.com.
