Exploring the relative effects of different wetland restoration sites on functional connectivity for the northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora)

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Contributors
Contributor: Chartrand, Shawn
Contributor: Henault, Lisa
Contributor: Ransome, Douglas
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Abstract
Amphibian species are globally at risk, with a leading cause of decline attributed to habitat loss and fragmentation. The northern red-legged frog (NRLF) is one such species and listed as a Species of Special Concern by the Species at Risk Act. The Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project is creating new wetland habitat on the Sechelt Peninsula. In this research, I provide a tool to explore the relative effects on the functional connectivity of different potential restoration sites. A habitat suitability model (HSM) was created to describe the landscape in terms of conductance, or ease of movement for NRLF. Using this conductance map, I analysed the functional connectivity between wetlands by using Circuitscape, a software grounded in circuit theory. Three potential restoration options were compared against the existing landscape. Of the three options, one had a much greater effect in increasing the overall wetlands and its connectivity to the existing network of wetlands.

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Degree granted
Master of Science (MSc) in Ecological Restoration
Publisher
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Number of pages
66 pages
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