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Research and Reports

Habitat Connectivity

Kevin Crooks. 2006. Connectivity Conservation. One of the biggest threats to the survival of many plant and animal species is the destruction or fragmentation of their natural habitats. The conservation of landscape connections, where animals, plants, and ecological processes can move freely from one habitat to another, is therefore an essential part of any new conservation or environmental protection plan. In practice, however, maintaining, creating, and protecting connectivity in our increasingly dissected world is a daunting challenge. This fascinating volume provides a synthesis on the current status and literature of connectivity conservation research and implementation. It shows the challenges involved in applying existing knowledge to real-world examples and highlights areas in need of further study. Containing contributions from leading scientists and practitioners, this topical and thought-provoking volume will be essential reading for graduate students, researchers, and practitioners working in conservation biology and natural resource management.

Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project. 2003-2006. Linking Colorado's Landscapes (Phases I & II): Linking Colorado's Landscapes was a collaborative effort between SREP, the Colorado Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration designed to provide a proactive approach for improving habitat connectivity for wildlife as well as increasing the safety of the transportation network for both drivers and wildlife. As a part of this project, SREP conducted a landscape--scale assessment of wildlife linkages in Colorado, thereby providing transportation planners, state and federal agencies, community leaders, engineers, and conservationists with a statewide vision for restoring habitat connectivity vital for maintaining healthy populations of native species. Phase II consisted of more detailed assessments of 12 of the highest priority linkages, including recommended mitigation measures for improving the permeability of transportation infrastructure for wildlife. The Linking Colorado's Landscapes project was designated a 2006 Exemplary Ecosystem Initiative by the Federal Highway Administration.

Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project. 2007. DRAFT!! Vail Pass Wildlife Linkage Maps.

Wildlife Crossings

Making Connections for Wildlife. 2008. Aligning Transportation Projects with State Wildlife Action Plans:  A Step-by-Step Guide for integrating Conservation Planning

I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East (WA) Mitigation Development Team Recommendations Package.

Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project. 2005. Rockies Wildlife Crossings Field Course Proceedings. Link to powerpoint presentations and video clips.

Ruediger, Bill and Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project. 2006. Safe Passage: A User's Guide to Developing Effective Highway Crossings for Carnivores and Other Wildlife.

General

Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project. 2000. State of Southern Rockies Ecoregion Report: The State of the Southern Rockies Ecoregion report is a comprehensive ecological assessment of the Southern Rockies, including: land use history and social and economic settings; biodiversity assessment; terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems assessment; protected areas assessment and conservation and management recommendations.

Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project. 2003.Southern Rockies Wildlands Network Vision. The Network Vision is a proactive, landscape-based conservation blueprint that emphasize large core areas and functional connectivity across the landscape. The Vision provides an integrated and realistic approach to maintaining and creating viable populations of native species and a healthy ecoregion. The Vision was created using three main methods: an optimization analysis (SITES model), wildlife movement analyses, and local and regional expert input.