Ecoregional Connectivity Models by R. Perkl and R. Baldwin, Clemson University
An ecoregional model of wildlife connectivity between GAP 1 status protected lands > 1,000 ha in the Northern Appalachians.Potential corridors and linkages have been modeled for the Northern Appalachian/Acadian Ecoregion using a GIS based modeling tool called FunConn. This tool uses a graph theory approach to modeling connectivity and evaluating landscape networks. Modeling connectivity using FunConn involves (1) creating a habitat-quality surface, (2) using landscape resistance, and (3) defining and connecting functional patches.The Northern Appalachian Human Footprint was used as the underlying resistance layer for this study.