Project description (English)
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. We measured the impacts of anthropogenic land transformation on species-specific habitat amount, fragmentation, and connectivity in the A2L between 2000 and 2015. 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. 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. 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 east ern 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.
Project description (French)
Main contact organization for the project
Concordia University
Partner organization(s)
The Nature Conservancy of Canada
Part of larger network(s)
Ecological Corridors
Project status
Ended
Start year of project
2019
Date of completion
2024-06-06
Primary ecosystem focus
Forested
Connectivity action
Corridors network design
Restoration
Research (Modelling)
Research (Evaluation of functional connectivity)
Policy and governance
Land protection
Land use planning
Standard keywords
Corridors
Stepping stone
Keywords
Habitat loss Effective mesh size Linkage mapper Least-cost corridors Circuitscape Black bear Fisher Moose White-tailed deer
Taxonomic Coverage
Mammals
Geographical coverage
Jurisdiction(s)
Quebec
Laurentides, Laval, Montréal
Location name
Quebec, Ontario, New York A2L