Habitat Connectivity in the Hudson Valley...Matt Schlesinger Chief Zoologist NY Natural Heritage Program Nature Across Boundaries: Keeping Lands and Waters Connected ... Howard and

Habitat Connectivity

in theHudson Valley

Matt SchlesingerChief Zoologist

NY Natural Heritage Programwww.nynhp.org

Nature Across Boundaries: Keeping Lands and Waters

ConnectedNovember 6, 2017, Mohonk Mountain House Conference Center

Animal Movement and Migration

Broken Habitat Connections

Effects of Broken Habitat Connections

Handling by citizen scientists

Challenging access to important habitats

Noise interference

Air and water pollution

Effects of Broken Habitat Connections: Population and Community Level

X

Effects of Broken Habitat Connections: Dangers to People

Animal-vehicle disagreementsUnwanted backyard visitors

Even if we cut all emissions to zero tomorrow, New York State is going to feel a lot more like the Southeast in our lifetimes!

Welcome to Mohonk, SC

New range

Former range

1980 - 1985 2000 - 2005

Connectivity is Even More Important in a Changing Climate

“Well-connected landscapes promote dispersal and gene flow, processes that will maximize species' abilities to respond to the stress of climate change. Furthermore, highly permeable landscapes will be important as species shift their ranges to track changes in climate and vegetation patterns.”

- Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Working Group

How will animals be able to move to more favorable climates and habitats?

On their own

Withfacilitationvia habitat work Only with direct help

Assessing Landscape Connectivity:How do we know where to reconnect?

Assessing Landscape Connectivity:How do we know where to reconnect?

Assessing Landscape Connectivity:How do we know where to reconnect?

ModelingExpert opinion

Field researchComputer

Howard and Schlesinger 2013

Current dayparcels

PATHWAYS project: 2008-2012

Howard and Schlesinger 2013

2050PATHWAYS project: 2008-2012

Howard and Schlesinger 2013

2080PATHWAYS project: 2008-2012

Forest and wetland connectivity

Hickey et al. 2013

https://www.scenichudson.org/HVCS

Hudson Valley Conservation Strategy

http://www.naturalresourcenavigator.org/

• Evaluate an existing project to see if it is climate smart• Develop climate-smart conservation strategies for a project area• Find places to pursue a particular strategy• Decide what species to focus on• Decide what to do for a particular species

How can We Facilitate Increased Connectivity?

How can We Facilitate Increased Connectivity?

Thanks!Glad we could connect today.