Climate Change Connectivity Case Studies

A key step toward supporting the resiliency of our natural systems to climate change is increasing connectivity between intact habitat core areas, allowing for movement of plants and animals between habitat patches. This supporting guide was produced for use by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and will provide two case studies, demonstrating how our Climate Change Connectivity Parcels (CCC Parcels) dataset can be integrated into conservation planning strategies which focus on maximizing connectivity and resilience of Pennsylvania biodiversity in the face of climate change.

This case study was developed to address protection of a species of concern known to be vulnerable to climate change. The climate change connectivity planning strategy is derived from the species biology.

The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program recently collaborated with neighboring heritage programs to undertake an assessment of wetland butterflies (Selfridge et al 2018). This project focused on 14 butterfly Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) identified as priorities in their state Wildlife Action Plans. In addition to field surveys for these species, we also produced 1) a species habitat model (SHM) for each species, as well as a 2) climate-envelope model (CEM) that identified areas where the species range may expand, contract, or remain stable due to climate change.

One of the butterflies studied for this project was the  bog copper . This species is typically found in acidic peatlands with cranberries and other heath family plants (NatureServe 2008). While our wetland butterfly studies showed a fairly significant reduction of the species range overall, there was some indication from the CEMs that climate was more stable into the future in the Pocono Mountain region of Pennsylvania, an area which could serve as a climate refugia for the bog copper. Bog copper was also confirmed to be a highly specialized peatland species, based on surveys conducted as part of a PNHP headwater peatland wetland project (Furedi et al. 2021). It was only found in peatlands with robust populations of cranberries, its larval host plant. Additionally, it was restricted to peatlands that occurred in the glaciated plateau region of Pennsylvania.

This case study combines an understanding of species biology with an assessment of the conservation function of the landscape, to achieve a planning strategy that both increases climate change resilience of a focal species while supporting regional climate change connectivity goals. Similar projects should use these types of desktop analyses along with consultation with experts, targeted field inventories, and meetings and discussions with community stakeholders, to reach actionable climate change connectivity plans.

This case study was developed to identify high priority protection gaps for connectivity and then derive site-specific conservation strategies that support species of concern.

Kittatinny Ridge is an over 185 mile long forested ridge, leading from the southern border of Pennsylvania to the Delaware River Gap. It is already a  focal area for conservation  work in the state, and also contains many high-priority parcels for Climate Change Connectivity. It provides a unique, relatively un-fragmented corridor for the movement of biodiversity through Pennsylvania, in response to changing climate.

This case study was an example of a site-based approach to developing a climate change connectivity conservation strategy. Similar information can be gathered from the CCC parcels dataset at other focal sites, to support local conservation action that still contributes to regional connectivity.

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4. Furedi, M., E. Zimmerman, D. Yeany, S. Schuette, B. Leppo, P. Woods, J. McPherson, C. Tracey, and G. Podniesinski. 2021. An Examination of Headwater Peatland Wetlands in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Harrisburg, PA
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