A Spatially Explicit Model to Minimize Landscape Disturbance in Wyoming Energy Development Sites
A Spatially Explicit Model to Minimize Landscape Disturbance in Wyoming Energy Development Sites

Author: Arjun K. Dongre

Publisher:

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 107

ISBN-13: 9781124374604

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The State of Wyoming contains large reserves of oil and gas resources, a substantial portion of which are found in rangeland ecosystems. While any amount of development can affect landscape function, unplanned, excessive, or inefficient planning may lead to potentially otherwise avoidable rangeland degradation. The purpose of this research is to provide an analytic approach to aid in the reduction of environmental impacts associated with road development in energy development sites found in Wyoming rangeland landscapes. The creation of a spatially explicit model can aid in minimizing both ecological costs associated with road development, and as an added benefit reduces associated financial costs. Best management practices developed for addressing landscape ecological issues associated with transportation in oil and gas development are incorporated into a spatially explicit decision making process regarding conservation priorities. Cost surface analysis provides location information from the decision making process that reduces the effect of development on critical rangeland system features. Network analysis results in an optimal route away from those locations to ensure minimized disturbance. Both analyses are improved by using minimum spanning tree criteria to minimize the total impact of road disturbance. The minimized road network results in the additional advantage of reducing financial costs associated with unnecessary development. Results from the validation show that the proposed model is a viable way to reduce landscape disturbance and fragmentation from road development within a development site compared to current development practices. The modeled road network resulted in a reduction in impacts to sagebrush habitat types, crucial for Pronghorn (Antilocarpa americana) and Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) winter habitat, doubled the average closest road distance to Greater sage-grouse lek locations, and minimized the intersection of roads with Pronghorn migration corridors and riparian areas. The traversal index showed that the ecological resistance of the landscape was reduced for an individual belonging to the same species with the proposed network structure. Finally, the reduction in total mileage reduces the cost of road construction and maintenance. Integrating the proposed GIS modeling approach into the decision making process for road network planning in energy development sites provides an analytic planning approach towards improving rangeland conservation efforts, while also reducing financial developmental costs.

Greater Sage-Grouse
Greater Sage-Grouse

Author: Steve Knick

Publisher: Univ of California Press

Published: 2011-05-19

Total Pages: 665

ISBN-13: 0520948688

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Admired for its elaborate breeding displays and treasured as a game bird, the Greater Sage-Grouse is a charismatic symbol of the broad open spaces in western North America. Unfortunately these birds have declined across much of their range—which stretches across 11 western states and reaches into Canada—mostly due to loss of critical sagebrush habitat. Today the Greater Sage-Grouse is at the center of a complex conservation challenge. This multifaceted volume, an important foundation for developing conservation strategies and actions, provides a comprehensive synthesis of scientific information on the biology and ecology of the Greater Sage-Grouse. Bringing together the experience of thirty-eight researchers, it describes the bird’s population trends, its sagebrush habitat, and potential limitations to conservation, including the effects of rangeland fire, climate change, invasive plants, disease, and land uses such as energy development, grazing, and agriculture.

Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation
Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation

Author: Christopher E. Moorman

Publisher: JHU Press

Published: 2019-09-10

Total Pages: 279

ISBN-13: 1421432730

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Brings together disparate conversations about wildlife conservation and renewable energy, suggesting ways these two critical fields can work hand in hand. Renewable energy is often termed simply "green energy," but its effects on wildlife and other forms of biodiversity can be quite complex. While capturing renewable resources like wind, solar, and energy from biomass can require more land than fossil fuel production, potentially displacing wildlife habitat, renewable energy infrastructure can also create habitat and promote species health when thoughtfully implemented. The authors of Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation argue that in order to achieve a balanced plan for addressing these two crucially important sustainability issues, our actions at the nexus of these fields must be directed by current scientific information related to the ecological effects of renewable energy production. Synthesizing an extensive, rapidly growing base of research and insights from practitioners into a single, comprehensive resource, contributors to this volume • describe processes to generate renewable energy, focusing on the Big Four renewables—wind, bioenergy, solar energy, and hydroelectric power • review the documented effects of renewable energy production on wildlife and wildlife habitats • consider current and future policy directives, suggesting ways industrial-scale renewables production can be developed to minimize harm to wildlife populations • explain recent advances in renewable power technologies • identify urgent research needs at the intersection of renewables and wildlife conservation Relevant to policy makers and industry professionals—many of whom believe renewables are the best path forward as the world seeks to meet its expanding energy needs—and wildlife conservationists—many of whom are alarmed at the rate of renewables-related habitat conversion—this detailed book culminates with a chapter underscoring emerging opportunities in renewable energy ecology. Contributors: Edward B. Arnett, Brian B. Boroski, Regan Dohm, David Drake, Sarah R. Fritts, Rachel Greene, Steven M. Grodsky, Amanda M. Hale, Cris D. Hein, Rebecca R. Hernandez, Jessica A. Homyack, Henriette I. Jager, Nicole M. Korfanta, James A. Martin, Christopher E. Moorman, Clint Otto, Christine A. Ribic, Susan P. Rupp, Jake Verschuyl, Lindsay M. Wickman, T. Bently Wigley, Victoria H. Zero

Landscape Perception
Landscape Perception

Author: Amita Sinha

Publisher:

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13:

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Consists of papers previously published in the Journal of environmental psychology.

Landscape Ecology in Theory and Practice
Landscape Ecology in Theory and Practice

Author: Monica G. Turner

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2007-05-08

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 0387216944

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An ideal text for students taking a course in landscape ecology. The book has been written by very well-known practitioners and pioneers in the new field of ecological analysis. Landscape ecology has emerged during the past two decades as a new and exciting level of ecological study. Environmental problems such as global climate change, land use change, habitat fragmentation and loss of biodiversity have required ecologists to expand their traditional spatial and temporal scales and the widespread availability of remote imagery, geographic information systems, and desk top computing has permitted the development of spatially explicit analyses. In this new text book this new field of landscape ecology is given the first fully integrated treatment suitable for the student. Throughout, the theoretical developments, modeling approaches and results, and empirical data are merged together, so as not to introduce barriers to the synthesis of the various approaches that constitute an effective ecological synthesis. The book also emphasizes selected topic areas in which landscape ecology has made the most contributions to our understanding of ecological processes, as well as identifying areas where its contributions have been limited. Each chapter features questions for discussion as well as recommended reading.

Energy Sprawl Solutions
Energy Sprawl Solutions

Author: Joseph M. Kiesecker

Publisher: Island Press

Published: 2017-06-15

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 1610917227

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Over the next several decades, as human populations grow, the demand for energy will soar. But renewable energy sources have a large energy sprawl--the amount of land needed to produce energy--which can threaten biodiversity. In Energy Sprawl Solutions, scientists Joseph M. Kiesecker and David Naugle provide a roadmap for preserving biodiversity despite the threats of energy sprawl. Their strategy--development by design--identifies and sets aside land where biodiversity can thrive while consolidating development in areas with lower biodiversity value. This contributed volume features case studies from countries around the world, each describing a different energy sector and the way they have successfully maximized biodiversity protection. This book provides a needed guide for elected officials, industry representatives, NGOs and community groups who have a stake in sustainable energy-development planning.