Progress 09/23/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs The objective of this project was to assess the feasibility of utilizing an analytical approach in developing a management strategy and activity plan for sustainable enhancement of Pronghorn Antelope habitat. The project was conducted on the Chino Valley Ranger District, in mid-elevation grasslands which are undergoing juniper encroachment. The approach involved the development of remote sensing and GIS techniques to characterize current habitat conditions, as well as the use of a simulation/optimization model to develop and assess alternative management strategies for habitat enhancement. We created a juniper cover map based on classification of available digital orthophotography. This was accomplished through classification of the 37 digital orthophoto quarter-quads (DOQQ's) which encompass the study area, obtained thru. the Arizona Land Resource Information System. The slow rate of vegetation change and disturbance in the study area meant that the age of the imagery
was not of significant concern. The DOQQ imagery was classified into juniper density classes. We did a preliminary masking of habitat types based on Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey (TES) slope attributes. Areas of 30% or greater slope were eliminated as potential pronghorn habitat. This information provides the basis for identifying areas within which restoration areas should be focused, areas of less than 40% slope with grassland potential for core habitat areas, and areas of less than 40% slope for corridor areas. PNF assisted us in delineating Pronghorn core habitat areas, habitat enhancement areas, and Pronghorn travel corridors. This information was supplemented by data derived from GPS collars attached to members of the resident Pronghorn herd, which enabled the delineation of core habitat use areas. These areas were entered into GIS as zones, and these zones formed the basis of the subsequent analysis regarding implementation strategy. 3 broad zone types were defined: 1) GPS Core
areas, which are currently actively used by resident Pronghorn. 2) Habitat enhancement areas, which have the potential for Pronghorn use if habitat is restored. 3) Corridor areas, which can/do provide connectivity between habitat areas, and whose function could potentially be improved through habitat enhancement. The information was entered into the Lurch decision support system. A 15-year planning horizon and a management scenario were established. A fundamental limiting factor in this analysis proved to be the quality of the available DOQQ imagery. Due to financial limitations we perform the best possible analysis using freely available data. We undertook to assess the accuracy of our classifications using field data provided by PNF staff. While overall classification accuracy may be as low as 65%, much higher accuracies were observed in the parts of the study area which encompassed the defined Pronghorn habitat management and enhancement zones. These zones define the areas these in
which management actions will be conducted, and we believe that the classifications are at least 80% accurate in these areas.
Impacts The objective of this project was to assess the feasibility of utilizing an analytical approach in developing a management strategy and activity plan for sustainable enhancement of Pronghorn Antelope habitat. The project was conducted on the Chino Valley Ranger District, in mid-elevation grasslands which are undergoing juniper encroachment. The approach involved the development of remote sensing and GIS techniques to characterize current habitat conditions, as well as the use of a simulation/optimization model to develop and assess alternative management strategies for habitat enhancement. The deliverables included a juniper density classification map, as well as a preliminary analysis of management scenarios.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
|