Landscape Fragmentation in the Lake Champlain Basin

Charlotte LowMatt GustafsonWalker Brown

Photograph: Caldwell Clark 2010 (Mt. Philo)

Problem Statement

Land Fragmentation, resulting from agriculture, industry, urban development, and transportation networks, in the Lake Champlain Basin, has a dramatic effect on the function, value, and quality of wetlands, forests, and herbaceous landscapes through disrupting the natural dynamics of these systems.

Connections Matrix

Urban Development

Industry Landscape Fragmentation

Herbaceous

Wetlands

ForestsAgriculture

Roads

Goals• Develop an assessment

of land fragmentation and its effects on habitats

• Construct a relative risk ranking system and link/importance matrices Objectives

• Research previous studies

• Develop a diagram illustrating the existing connections

• Create GIS maps analyzing land use and transportation networks

• Assign risk rankings by sub-watershedPhotograph: http://img5.visualizeus.com/thumbs/df/9c/eden,animals,bear,forest,road,funny-df9ceec4b92e8091ca15aa48d791f795_h.jpg

Photograph: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5051555848_10a02fbe4e.jpg

Effects of Fragmentation

• Habitat Loss, Isolation,Separation

• Edge Effects• Decreased Connectivity– Biogeography

• Loss of Biodiversity– Genetic, Species, Ecological

• Increased Mortality― Predation, Collisions, Exposure

Photograph: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ey0cXXT2kz8/TTN8AzmashI/AAAAAAAAFNk/5Ammw0HXRtQ/s400/EasterBunnyRoadKill4406.jpg

Approach• 2 Phase Approach– 1st – Literature Review to direct

link and importance matrix's

– 2nd – GIS Analysis• Unique approach for land

fragmentation as a stressor

Findings

Impact Link

Stressor of Habitat

Open Water

>6'

Open Water <6' Developed Forest Herbaceous Agriculture Wetlands

Fragmentation 0 0 0 1 .5 0 1

Impact Importance

Fragmentation 0 0 0 2 1 0 2

Effect Link Source of StressorAg Urb WWTP Dams Roads Fisheries Marinas Forest Industrial Parks External

Fragmentation 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 .5 0Effect Importance

Fragmentation 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 1 0

Connections MatrixUrban Development

IndustryLandscape Fragmentation

Herbaceous

Wetlands

Forests

Agriculture

Roads

Watershed/Risk RegionPercent Habitat

Cover TypesFragmentation

Index ScoreFinal Index Score (F)

Risk Rank

Burlington Bay 0.15 23.70 3.63 6St. Albans Bay 0.31 96.50 30.33 6Shelburne Bay 0.38 131.30 50.55 6

Lake Champlain (direct) 0.48 197.80 94.95 6Northeast Arm 0.46 213.40 98.91 6South Lake B 0.69 320.20 220.12 6Otter Creek 0.60 395.10 237.65 6Port Henry 0.51 514.10 264.03 6Mallets Bay 0.76 411.20 311.02 4

Isle La Motte 0.74 426.00 316.54 4Main Lake VT 0.80 405.30 324.38 4South Lake A 0.70 548.30 381.72 4

Missisqoui Bay 0.68 725.80 495.42 4Cumberland Bay 0.87 926.40 802.87 2

Main Lake NY 0.89 950.90 843.29 2

Risk Rank F Stat Range Note: Fragmented Cover Types include Brush, Forest, Wetland6 0 - 281

4 282 - 5632 564 - 844

Table 1: Summary of Fragmentation Index and Relative Risk Ranks by Watershed

Burlingto

n Bay

St. Alban

s Bay

Shelb

urne B

ay

Lake C

hamplai

n (dire

ct)

Northea

st Arm

South La

ke B

Otter Cree

k

Port Hen

ry

Mallets

Bay

Isle La

Motte

Main La

ke VT

South La

ke A

Missisq

oui Bay

Cumberlan

d Bay

Main La

ke NY

0.00100.00200.00300.00400.00500.00600.00700.00800.00900.00

Relative Risk by Sub-Watershed

Sub-Watershed

Fina

l Fra

gmen

tatio

n In

dex

Conclusion/Management Recommendations

• Ideally the sources of landscape fragmentation; roads, urban areas, agriculture, and recreational parks, can be controlled and reduced in the future.

• Adopt policies and zoning regulations which keep populations localized around urban centers and villages and protect important wildlife corridors

• Establishment of riparian buffers and wildlife corridors

Questions?