Landscape Fragmentation in the Lake Champlain Basin Charlotte Low Matt Gustafson Walker 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 DevelopmentIndustry Landscape Fragmentation HerbaceousWetlandsForestsAgricultureRoads

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-watershed Photograph: df9ceec4b92e8091ca15aa48d791f795_h.jpg Photograph:

Effects of Fragmentation Habitat Loss, Isolation, Separation Edge Effects Decreased Connectivity – Biogeography Loss of Biodiversity – Genetic, Species, Ecological Increased Mortality ―Predation, Collisions, Exposure Photograph:

Approach 2 Phase Approach – 1 st – Literature Review to direct link and importance matrix's – 2 nd – GIS Analysis Unique approach for land fragmentation as a stressor

Findings Impact Link Stressor of Habitat Open Water >6' Open Water <6' DevelopedForestHerbaceousAgricultureWetlands Fragmentation Impact Importance Fragmentation Effect Link Source of Stressor AgUrbWWTPDamsRoadsFisheriesMarinasForestIndustrialParksExternal Fragmentation Effect Importance Fragmentation

Connections Matrix Urban DevelopmentIndustry Landscape Fragmentation HerbaceousWetlandsForestsAgricultureRoads

Watershed/Risk Region Percent Habitat Cover Types Fragmentation Index Score Final Index Score (F) Risk Rank Burlington Bay St. Albans Bay Shelburne Bay Lake Champlain (direct) Northeast Arm South Lake B Otter Creek Port Henry Mallets Bay Isle La Motte Main Lake VT South Lake A Missisqoui Bay Cumberland Bay Main Lake NY Risk RankF Stat Range Note: Fragmented Cover Types include Brush, Forest, Wetland Table 1: Summary of Fragmentation Index and Relative Risk Ranks by Watershed

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?