Simulation and Optimization of Habitat Network Permeability

— Landscape fragmentation is a major threat to a lot of wildlife species with a large spatial activity range. To ease the dispersal through the landscape, a lot of different measurements can be implemented. With often limited resources in mind, mitigation measurements should be placed where they are most effective. The simulation framework SimapD presented in this paper is capable of assessing the network permeability and incorporates effects of anthropogenic obstacles, like roads, into the assessment. Through an individual-oriented simulation an overall permeability index for a habitat network is obtained. Based on this simulation approach, an algorithm is presented for optimizing such habitat networks concerning its permeability. It is intended to be applied to find optimal mitigation strategies. The complete procedure is illustrated by an example.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2007
• Where: ITEE
• Authors: Jens Finke, Michael Sonnenschein
• Keywords: Habitat Networks, Information Technology, ITEE 2007, Large Spatial Activity, Overall Permeability Index