Article
Computerized Spatial Analysis System for Assessing Wildlife Habitat from Vegetation Maps
Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing
(1981)
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.
Disciplines
Publication Date
1981
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/07038992.1981.10855007
Citation Information
Terry L. Sharik. "Computerized Spatial Analysis System for Assessing Wildlife Habitat from Vegetation Maps" Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing Vol. 7 Iss. 1 (1981) p. 34 - 40 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/terry_sharik/160/