A Geographic Information System Approach to Determine Connectivity between Duck Mountain Provincial Park and Forest and Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba

Abstract

Four geographic information system methods were applied to determine connectivity and fragmentation for a corridor from Riding Mountain National Park to Duck Mountain Provincial Park and Forest. Least-cost path modelling showed that presently there is no corridor of continuous forest or corridor of undeveloped land between these two areas, of which developed land appears to fragment all possible paths. Maps generated from spatial graphs and least-cost path modelling show that undisturbed land and forest is concentrated in the western Bluewing Corridor. Due to its greater connectivity, the Bluewing corridor is the preferred route for a corridor between these conservation areas.