1. Landscape Fragmentation in the Lake Champlain Basin Charlotte Low Matt Gustafson Walker Brown Photograph: Caldwell Clark 2010 (Mt. Philo)

2. Problem Statement Land Fragmentation, resulting from agriculture, industry, urban development, and transportation networks, in the Lake Champlain Basin, has a dramatic effect on the function, value, and quality of wetlands, forests, and herbaceous landscapes through disrupting the natural dynamics of these systems.

3. Connections Matrix Urban DevelopmentIndustry Landscape Fragmentation HerbaceousWetlandsForestsAgricultureRoads

4. Goals Develop an assessment of land fragmentation and its effects on habitats Construct a relative risk ranking system and link/importance matrices Objectives Research previous studies Develop a diagram illustrating the existing connections Create GIS maps analyzing land use and transportation networks Assign risk rankings by sub-watershed Photograph: http://img5.visualizeus.com/thumbs/df/9c/eden,animals,bear,forest,road,funny- df9ceec4b92e8091ca15aa48d791f795_h.jpg Photograph: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5051555848_10a02fbe4e.jpg

5. Effects of Fragmentation Habitat Loss, Isolation, Separation Edge Effects Decreased Connectivity – Biogeography Loss of Biodiversity – Genetic, Species, Ecological Increased Mortality ―Predation, Collisions, Exposure Photograph: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ey0cXXT2kz8/TTN8AzmashI/AAAAAAAAFNk/5Ammw0HXRtQ/s400/EasterBunnyRoadKill4406.jpg

6. Approach 2 Phase Approach – 1 st – Literature Review to direct link and importance matrix's – 2 nd – GIS Analysis Unique approach for land fragmentation as a stressor

8. Findings Impact Link Stressor of Habitat Open Water >6' Open Water <6' DevelopedForestHerbaceousAgricultureWetlands Fragmentation0001.501 Impact Importance Fragmentation0002102 Effect Link Source of Stressor AgUrbWWTPDamsRoadsFisheriesMarinasForestIndustrialParksExternal Fragmentation110010001.50 Effect Importance Fragmentation22002000210

9. Connections Matrix Urban DevelopmentIndustry Landscape Fragmentation HerbaceousWetlandsForestsAgricultureRoads

10. Watershed/Risk Region Percent Habitat Cover Types Fragmentation Index Score Final Index Score (F) Risk Rank Burlington Bay0.1523.703.636 St. Albans Bay0.3196.5030.336 Shelburne Bay0.38131.3050.556 Lake Champlain (direct)0.48197.8094.956 Northeast Arm0.46213.4098.916 South Lake B0.69320.20220.126 Otter Creek0.60395.10237.656 Port Henry0.51514.10264.036 Mallets Bay0.76411.20311.024 Isle La Motte0.74426.00316.544 Main Lake VT0.80405.30324.384 South Lake A0.70548.30381.724 Missisqoui Bay0.68725.80495.424 Cumberland Bay0.87926.40802.872 Main Lake NY0.89950.90843.292 Risk RankF Stat Range Note: Fragmented Cover Types include Brush, Forest, Wetland 60 - 281 4282 - 563 2564 - 844 Table 1: Summary of Fragmentation Index and Relative Risk Ranks by Watershed

12. Conclusion/Management Recommendations Ideally the sources of landscape fragmentation; roads, urban areas, agriculture, and recreational parks, can be controlled and reduced in the future. Adopt policies and zoning regulations which keep populations localized around urban centers and villages and protect important wildlife corridors Establishment of riparian buffers and wildlife corridors

13. Questions?