A computerized spatial analysis system for assessing wildlife habitat from vegetation maps Article

Mead, RA, Sharik, TL, Prisley, SP et al. (1981). A computerized spatial analysis system for assessing wildlife habitat from vegetation maps . 7(1), 34-40. 10.1080/07038992.1981.10855007

cited authors

  • Mead, RA; Sharik, TL; Prisley, SP; Heinen, JT

authors

abstract

  • Vegetation and land cover patterns affect the quality of habitat available for wildlife. Given the degree of interspersion of cover types and relative value of each edge type and the importance of spatial diversity, an index of habitat spatial diversity can be computed for each parcel of land (of any desired size) relative to each wildlife species or group of species. This is accomplished by defining a grid which is either placed on a land cover map or on an aerial photograph. Each cell is then coded on the basis of its predominant cover type. A computer program subsequently analyses the arrangement of these coded cells and produces maps of (a) interspersion, (b) juxtaposition, and (c) spatial diversity. Separate multicolor maps can be made for any wildlife habitat of interest using a digital film recorder. These map overlays can be used by the resource manager to compare wildlife habitat quality and potential with maps for forest, range, watershed and recreation potential. © 1980 Canadian Space Agency.

publication date

  • January 1, 1981

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 34

end page

  • 40

volume

  • 7

issue

  • 1