Wildlife Habitat Suitability & Connectivity (Screening)

Objective

Evaluate relative habitat suitability and connectivity across the parcel for three generalized wildlife groups: pollinators, ground-nesting birds, and small mammals—so management actions can be prioritized where they are most likely to matter.

• Highlight areas suitable for pollinator habitat enhancement.
• Identify interior open areas with reduced edge and disturbance influence for ground-nesting birds.
• Model a low-cost movement corridor for small mammals using land-cover-based cost surfaces.

Data used

• NLCD 2021 land cover raster (30m) — habitat classification and cost surface development.
• USGS 3DEP digital elevation model (30m) — slope-derived suitability screening.
• OpenStreetMap roads — proximity to disturbance for bird suitability.
• Derived rasters — distance to forest edge, distance to roads, slope raster, and species-specific suitability/cost surfaces.

All datasets were projected into a common UTM coordinate system and aligned with consistent raster snapping and cell size.

Approach

• Pollinator suitability: multi-factor weighted overlay using land cover suitability, proximity to forest edges (edge bonus), and slope-based planting feasibility.
• Ground-nesting bird suitability: weighted overlay emphasizing open land cover, distance from forest edges (predation risk reduction), and distance from adjacent roads (disturbance).
• Small mammal connectivity: least-cost corridor modeling using a land-cover cost surface, cost distance, and cost path to derive a buffered movement corridor.

Key outputs

• Pollinator habitat suitability surface (continuous raster).
• Ground-nesting bird suitability surface (screening classification).
• Buffered least-cost movement corridor for small mammals.
• Integrated interpretation summarizing overlap and tradeoffs among species groups.

Summary of findings

• Pollinator suitability is highest in gently sloped open areas adjacent to forest edges.
• Ground-nesting bird suitability is limited but present in interior open zones farther from forest and road influence.
• A clear low-cost movement corridor for small mammals is present, concentrated along forested connectivity.
• Habitat value varies spatially depending on species-group requirements; overlap exists but patterns differ.

Limitations

• 30m resolution: fine-scale habitat features (hedgerows, narrow plantings, small trails) are not resolved.
• Generalized groups: this is not species-specific modeling and does not represent seasonal variation.
• Intended use: planning, prioritization, and communication—not a substitute for field surveys or regulatory assessments.