PROJECT 1 - SUITABILITY HABITAT FOR LEPUS MILLIPEDIS IN SQUAMISH, BRITISH COLUMBIA
This is a hypothetical project with a goal of making decision support for the production of an environmentally-friendly land mammal that was developed at the University of British Columbia named the "Lepus millipedis". This mammal is a genetically engineered species developed among other things to:
improves forest stand conditions
reduces soil erosion
improves wildlife habitat
provides economic opportunity
Here is an excerpt of the memo from the Squamish Forest District detailing some of the reasons why creating a suitable habitat for this mammal is of prime importance.
The mammal’s physiology is such that the production of this species on temperate rainforests site actually improves the condition of the site. Its multi-footed design supplies just enough "trampling action" to improve soil condition and permeability. A herbivore, it readily ingests the developing shoots of many shrub species and retards the spread of shrubs. (Evidently, the animal also secretes a mild phytotoxin in its feces that is specific to non-native
shrub and forbs species.) Pilot studies have shown that areas where the mammal has been produced actually have improved wildlife habitat value. One study found that the stand condition improved to the point that riparian areas were regenerating, and general ecosystem "health" was improving,
both of which favor wildlife development.
PROJECT GOALS: Some of the project goals include;
To create a capability model to identify polygons capabale of supporting the breeding of the Lepus millipedis.
To create a suitability model to identify out of the capable polygons, those that are most suitable to support the breeding of the Lepus millipedis.
To create a map that will graphically show this.
SOFTWARES USED: ModelBuilder, ArcGIS Pro
improves forest stand conditions
reduces soil erosion
improves wildlife habitat
provides economic opportunity
Here is an excerpt of the memo from the Squamish Forest District detailing some of the reasons why creating a suitable habitat for this mammal is of prime importance.
The mammal’s physiology is such that the production of this species on temperate rainforests site actually improves the condition of the site. Its multi-footed design supplies just enough "trampling action" to improve soil condition and permeability. A herbivore, it readily ingests the developing shoots of many shrub species and retards the spread of shrubs. (Evidently, the animal also secretes a mild phytotoxin in its feces that is specific to non-native
shrub and forbs species.) Pilot studies have shown that areas where the mammal has been produced actually have improved wildlife habitat value. One study found that the stand condition improved to the point that riparian areas were regenerating, and general ecosystem "health" was improving,
both of which favor wildlife development.
PROJECT GOALS: Some of the project goals include;
To create a capability model to identify polygons capabale of supporting the breeding of the Lepus millipedis.
To create a suitability model to identify out of the capable polygons, those that are most suitable to support the breeding of the Lepus millipedis.
To create a map that will graphically show this.
SOFTWARES USED: ModelBuilder, ArcGIS Pro