Biodiversity, connectivity, and ecological forecasting: applying NASA earth observation data to conservation management in the Greater Kruger National Park region, South Africa
Jody Vogeler, Colorado State University, jody.vogeler@colostate.edu (Presenter)
David Bunn, University of British Columbia, david.bunn@ubc.ca
Derek Fedak, Colorado State University, derek.fedak@colostate.edu
Steven Filippelli, Colorado State University, steven.filippelli@colostate.edu
Neil Carter, University of Michigan, nhcarter@umich.edu
Sharon Hall, Arizona State University, sharonjhall@asu.edu
Melissa McHale, University of British Columbia, melissa.mchale@ubc.ca
Our project focuses on the edge interfaces of protected areas and rapidly expanding, semi-urban settlements, in a region that has been the subject of massive rewilding land conversion: South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park (GKNP) region. Using a synthesis of earth observation and terrestrial data products, we will produce forecasting tools that will aid in understanding future habitat suitability, species dispersal, and landscape change, supporting more effective planning for new biodiversity corridors across a complex landscape of varied land uses and conservation management regimes. Our overarching project goals which have been co-developed with our end-user partners include: 1) investigate how vegetation patterns have been impacted by rewilding activities (e.g., surface water management and fence removals); 2) characterize wildlife habitat patterns and connectivity for a set of focal indicator species and assess how patterns have changed in response to rewilding activities; 3) identify potential drivers and trends of both natural and anthropogenic disturbance events within, and along the edges of the GKNP. While the final project outcomes will include forecasting tools and habitat connectivity models, in this first 1.5 years of the project, we have been working on intermediate products and assessments to contribute to those final goals, along with several onsite trips for end-user engagement. In this poster, we will briefly present on the progress of intermediate products, including: updated spatial records of surface water availability and temporal monitoring of artificial waterhole closures; initial connectivity model frameworks and focal wildlife species decisions; and remote sensing data fusion approaches for monitoring longer-term impacts of LCLUC as well as more recent characterizations of vegetation structure to meet multiple-end user needs.
Associated Project(s):
Poster Location ID: 1-30
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Poster Session 1
Session Date: Tue (May 9) 5:00-7:00 PM
CCE Program: BDEC