Subalpine Connectivity of areas of high elevation and high human footprint in the NPLCC, 2080 (A1B)
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Resource Abstract:
Subalpine Connectivity of areas of high elevation and high human footprint in the North Pacific Landscape Conservation Cooperative
study area. This application provides Subalpine Connectivity for 2000 and 2080 (A1B). <br />The North Pacific
Forest Landscape Connectivity Project uses three main geospatial layers as inputs into the creation of resistance map grids.
 One-km was decided as the resolution for the final resistance grids.  The three primary geospatial
layers used in this analysis were a digital elevation model (DEM), a vegetation layer, and a human footprint layer. Â Due
to the geographic extent of the North Pacific Landscape Conservation Cooperative, digital elevation models from different
sources had to be used to create one seamless DEM. Â The digital elevation models were obtained from the Shuttle
Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), the United States Geologic Survey, and the Government of the Yukon Territory. Â Each
digital elevation model dataset was resampled to a common pixel size (one km) and mosaicked into a seamless digital elevation
layer. Â The Human Footprint geospatial layer was obtained from the Socioeconomic Data and Application Center (SEDAC)
and resampled to one km. Â Each Human Footprint pixel represents an amount of human activity ranging from one to
100 with 100 being represented as the being the most heavily influenced  by human activity.  The Nielson
Drapek Biome Cover was the land cover used for this project. Â This dataset was also resampled to the one km spatial
resolution. Â Once all of the datasets were resampled to a common spatial resolution of one km, they were clipped
to the boundary of the NPLCC study area and given a custom Albers Equal Area projection. Â Â Once all
of the datasets were compiled into a common resolution and projection, a series of steps were taken to create the final resistance
girds. The Nielson Drapek vegetation values were reclassified for each year and condition. Â Focal statistics were
then run on the resistance grid combinations using a five by five window that calculated the mean of the window. Â This
process was used to smooth out the sharp edges in the resistance grids. The digital elevation grid was then scaled into a
high and low resistance level. Â The high and low resistance levels were based on the pixelâs elevation.
 The same process was used for the human footprint layer.  The human footprint and elevation grids
were combined into a four way combination. Â These layers were then combined with the eight Nielson Drapek land
cover biome layers. Â A Python geoprocessing script was then written to loop through all of grids in the directory
and for each grid find the maximum value in the grid as well as created an output with the maximum value in the grid replacing
any cell with  no data and left the original input value for all cells with data. The output grid raster files
were then converted to ascii text files and finally renamed with a .rsg extension. Â The files were then ready
for input into UNICOR. The North Pacific Forest Landscape Connectivity Project (NPFLCP) has created innovative
and useful geospatial applications that highlight connectivity of montane conifer and subalpine species in the North Pacific
Landscape Cooperative. Â The NPFLCP has launched a project website containing information about the project, web
maps, dynamic geospatial tools, and resources. Â The website is available at http://npflcc.dbs.umt.edu/. Â Â The
NPFLCP has developed six web based mapping applications. Â All of these applications, except the genetic connectivity
time series application, were built using the ArcGIS Viewer for Flex 3.0 and ArcGIS API for Flex 3.0. Â The first
web mapping application allows users to view the North Pacific LCC domain and view possible threats to this LCC. Â Possible
threats include oil and gas development, as well as the expansion of pine beetle. Â The second web mapping application
allows users to view Montane Conifer connectivity of areas of high elevation and high human footprint in the North Pacific
Landscape Conservation Cooperative study area. This application provides Montane Conifer Connectivity for 2000 and 2080 (A1B).
 The next three web mapping applications provide connectivity pathways for Montane Conifer (low human footprint,
low elevation), Subalpine (high human footprint, high elevation), and Subalpine (low human footprint, low elevation) for 2000
and 2080 (A1B). Â Each of these applications shows considerable change in the connectivity patterns in 2080. Â Figure
1 shows an example of Subalpine low human footprint, low elevation difference from 2000 to 2080. The sixth web mapping application
allows users to view genetic connectivity and projected change in genetic connectivity for a short-range, species-specific
disperser in the ecotypes, montane conifer and subalpine. Â This application was developed using the ArcGIS Online
for Organizations application and allows a user to view the time sequence on the map. Â Large spatial changes can
be seen in each species time series.
Citation
Title Subalpine Connectivity of areas of high elevation and high human footprint in the NPLCC, 2080 (A1B)