Title:
Determining Acceptable Reintroduction Ranges in Pennsylvania for Extirpated Mountain Lions Through the Use of GIS Mapping – Bartels & Wooten, 2014
Brief Synopsis:
Published Paper for The State of Pennsylvania on a site suitability analysis for selecting habitats within the state to release mountain lions into their extirpated range. Variables examined using GIS included: land cover, tree canopy density, elevation, distance to water, roadway density, prey species abundance, distance from human populations, and land ownership.
Abstract:
Using GIS spatial analysis of key variables such as canopy cover, land use, prey availability, etc. habitat suitable for the reintroduction of mountain lions (Puma concolor) was chosen in Pennsylvania. Once native to the east coast, the eastern mountain lion was extirpated from the majority of its range. Some scientists believe the subspecies was forced into extinction altogether with individuals not killed outright or displaced by habitat fragmentation/destructing being forced to assimilate into southern or western populations of panthers. Today there are estimated to be more than 30,000 mountain lions in North America. Sightings have increased on the east coast as mountain lions move back into the range they once inhabited. The return of top predator in an ecosystem is expected to have drastic effects on the habitats they inhabit. Key predators like mountain lions are essential for population control of overpopulated game species such as white tail deer and rabbits. Using GIS software, suitable habitat in Pennsylvania near (insert location) was selected because it provided the mountain lions (variables like remoteness, food, cover). The benefits of increased ecosystem functioning and population control are discussed in addition to the proposed site of reintroduction (Gugliotta, 2013).
Example map and ranked weighed variables used in selecting reintroduction ranges for mountain lions.
Title:
Using GIS Spatial Analysis for Selecting Forested Sites within Mercer County, Pennsylvania, for the Foundation for Sustainable Forests (FFSF) – Bartels, Garcia, et al., 2015
Brief Synopsis:
Interdisciplinary study using GIS to select sites based on spatial suitability analysis. Allowed the FFSF to contact private landowners to create partnerships for sustainable forestry practices. Our plan is now the standard practice of the FFSF for
the entire Western Pennsylvania after being selected as the winning paper/plan.
Abstract:
Across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, forests cover nearly 60 percent of land (NW PA Woodland Association), providing local residents and passing tourists with ecosystem services and aesthetic scenery. While significant portions of forested land are preserved by the government, roughly 71 percent is owned by private landowners (NW PA Woodland Association), much of which is heavily fragmented due to agriculture and urban development. To protect existing forested land within Pennsylvania, organizations such as the Foundation for Sustainable Forests (FFSF) help private landowners manage their land in a manner that both protects natural ecosystems and yields economic gain through sustainable management and selective harvesting. The goal of this project was to conduct a geographic analysis to identify and prioritize a list of forest landowners in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The final product of this project was to create a mailing list of forested sites meeting the criteria set forth by the FFSF.
Example maps and variables considered in determining best tracts for the FFSF.
