Biogeography

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Biogeography is the study of the spatial distributions of biodiversity, and the environmental factors responsible for these distributions.

Mapping Habitat Connectivity for Multiple Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species On and Around Military Installations

The goal of this project is to develop methods to identify lands on and around DoD installations that provide high connective value for suites of rare, threatened and endangered species.

We are using habitat-specific movement behaviors to quantify and map the connective value of landscapes for four rare, threatened, and endangered species found on Ft. Bragg, NC: the red-cockaded woodpecker, St. Francis’ satyr (butterfly), the Carolina gopher frog, and the eastern tiger salamander. By integrating observed and modeled animal movement data with dispersal models and spatially distributed landscape attributes, we are seeking to develop spatially-explicit models of both habitat and landscape connective value for each species. We are also studying how to optimize habitat conservation for species like the red-cockaded woodpeckers in a way that also enhances the population viability of other rare species in the landscape.

Our work will result in approaches for assessing and managing habitat connectivity for multiple species with different life-histories and dispersal habitats. This approach will benefit management of rare species not only at Ft. Bragg, but also on and around other DoD installations harboring suites of species with similar characteristics to those considered in this study.

Predicting Future Distributions of Plant Species under Climate Change and Increasing Habitat Fragmentation

We are surveying current models to create a list of important physical and biotic factors for predicting species distributions. One of those factors is increasing habitat fragmentation.

Our work will result in maps of future species distributions that may serve as a decision guide for reserve selection.