Methodology — Prioritization framework and data collection
Numerous priorities, values and outcomes related to connectivity conservation were identified and assessed. From this analysis, three categories of data emerged as being required to guide the selection of areas where ecological corridors are most needed across Canada:
- geographic
- ecological
- threats to connectivity
These categories form the base of the prioritization framework used to identify and delineate NPAECs. Available data to support each category in the prioritization framework were compiled. To be included, data needed to be spatially referenced, national in scale and publicly available. Several datasets were identified for each category.
The geographic category identifies areas:
- containing natural habitats for wildlife, including protected and conserved areas
- with a high probability of wildlife movement
Examples of available data in support of this category include: the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD) and a map showing areas predicted to be important for ecological connectivity in Canada (Pither et al. 2023).
The map below shows where terrestrial wildlife that rely on natural habitats are more likely to travel across landscapes in Canada. Wildlife tend to avoid developed areas covered with human infrastructure such as cities and highways. They also avoid natural barriers such as steep mountains and large lakes. The map predicts the probability of wildlife movement at a national scale. Areas with high probabilities of movement (seen as red on the map) represent ‘pinch points’. If impacted by habitat loss or fragmentation, wildlife movement in these areas could become severely restricted or lost entirely. These areas are predicted to be important for connectivity conservation and corridors. The model was validated using wildlife movement data.
National scale connectivity analysis
National scale connectivity analysis — Text version
Map of Canada showing the area of program scope (focused on southern to mid-latitudes) and areas important for ecological connectivity based on an analysis predicting the probability of movement of terrestrial wildlife (Pither et al. 2023). Areas with high probabilities of wildlife movement are shown in red. Areas with lower probabilities are shown in yellow and blue and correspond to areas where there are many options for movement through mostly natural lands and/or with fewer barriers to movement.
The ecological category identifies areas:
- of high biodiversity value
- critical for species at risk
- containing endemic species
- designated and/or recognized as being of national or international importance for biodiversity
Examples of available data in support of this category include: Biosphere Reserves, Key Biodiversity Areas, and Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas.
The threats to connectivity category identifies:
- short-term threats
- areas at risk of habitat loss and/or fragmentation occurring now or soon
- areas at risk of land-use changes that pose a threat to connectivity conservation
- habitats located close to cities or accessible by roads
- long-term threats
- areas at risk of landscape changes associated with climate change
- areas containing species that are vulnerable to climate change
Available data in support of this category includes: Canadian human footprint dataset, climate connectivity datasets and models that identify climate refugia and climate corridors.
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