A Landscape-Scaled and Community Ecology Approach to Wildlife Corridor Design in South Texas

Author

James A. Stilley, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

12-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Christopher Gabler

Second Advisor

Dr. Owen Temby

Third Advisor

Dr. Frank J. Dirrigl Jr.

Abstract

A formidable challenge in landscape ecology is developing a sound resolution to mitigate the impacts of habitat fragmentation and restore connectivity to a degraded landscape. The problem is worldwide landscapes are becoming primarily anthropogenic and areas set aside for wildlife are small and isolated. Researchers’ have developed the concept of the wildlife corridor to mediate this situation but a proper methodology to implement this concept is still in its infancy. This study aims to uncover a quantitative and repeatable wildlife corridor design methodology based on the least cost analysis strategy with both a singular focal taxa approach and a comprehensive community ecology approach. Our study focuses on south Texas as the testing area for our assessment. The study found that neither the focal taxa or community approach were significantly better at protecting the south Texas ecological community but it was successful at creating a methodology for wildlife corridor design.

Comments

Copyright 2019 James A. Stilley. All Rights Reserved.

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/utrgv.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/landscape-scaled-community-ecology-approach/docview/2370530308/se-2?accountid=7119

Recommended Citation

Stilley, James A., "A Landscape-Scaled and Community Ecology Approach to Wildlife Corridor Design in South Texas" (2019). Theses and Dissertations. 527.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/527