GEV 4320/8320: GIS for Conservation Management Story Maps

Gray Wolf Habitat Suitability in Pennsylvania

Alec Henderson Spring 2020

Gray wolves have been absent from the state of Pennsylvania for more than a century. This story map investigates the current habitat suitability of Pennsylvania for gray wolves. If there is suitable habitat, an attempt to "rewild" portions of the state and reintroduce wolves is recommended based on the model presented in this study.
How a Wall Along the US-Mexico Border Would Impact Vulnerable Wildlife

Damir Creecy Spring 2020

This story map investigates what kind of impact building a wall between the United States and Mexico would have on animals inhabiting the American Southwest. This study looks specifically at the pronghorn species and how the pronghorn's movement patterns will be interrupted by a large physical barrier, such as a wall.
Mangroves and Climate Change

Tess Adgie Spring 2020

Black mangroves are a coastal tree species that is being driven poleward due to climate change. However, black mangroves are capable of many ecosystem services that may protect coastal habitats and communities. This story map explores the distribution of mangrove seedlings as a way of expanding current understanding of the black mangrove's range along the northeast coast of Florida.
Preparing for Climate Change: Preserving Delaware Beaches for Future Sea Turtle Nesting

Nicole Marks Spring 2020

In light of sea level rise and increasing ocean surface temperatures, sea turtle species will likely need to alter their nesting behavior. Historically, Delaware beaches were rarely used for nesting sites. However, in recent years, loggerhead and green sea turtle nests have been discovered. Increasing ocean temperatures may be driving sea turtle nesting northwards. This story map details how an ideal future nesting habitat needs to be identified and protected in anticipation of future sea turtle nesting.
California's Tiniest Hero: The Giant Kangaroo Rat

Delaina Castillo Spring 2020

This story map details the making of a habitat suitability model for the endangered giant kangaroo rat endemic to California. This presentation contains an overview of what environmental variables are affecting the habitat of the endangered giant kangaroo rat and discusses the current status of this species.
The Diamondback Terrapin: Population Size Roller Coaster

Sandra Demberger Spring 2020

The Diamondback Terrapin Turtle was nearly fished to extinction. Terrapin populations have rebounded, but the species is vulnerable due to increasing vehicular traffic and irresponsible crabbers. This story map aims to inform citizens and water lovers how they can help protect the Diamondback Terrapin.
Wildlife Crossing Bridges: A New Normal

Lloyd Willis Spring 2020

Wildlife crossing structures are used around the world to protect various types of species, ranging from deer and elephants to tiny red crabs. This story map presents the importance of installing more of these crossing structures on major roadways as humanity continues to develop and expand. This will not only reduce potentially harmful human-animal interactions but also save species themselves.
Location X: Understanding Northwest Atlantic Blue Shark Distribution

Ben Moy Spring 2020

This story map presents the potential species distribution of blue sharks in the northeastern Atlantic. The overall purpose of this study was to create a species distribution model (SDM) to better understand blue sharks and their movements and population trends. Results found that blue sharks had a high distribution off the central coast of Nova Scotia. Understanding blue shark locations can help us improve fishery management efforts to decrease rates of bycatch.
Impact of Australian Bushfires on Suitable Koala Habitat

Melissa Juber Spring 2020

The 2019-2020 Australian bushfire season has been detrimental for wildlife in Victoria. This story map investigates how the Australian bushfire season has impacted the habitat of koalas. An analysis was performed to determine the environmental characteristics that were most predictive of koala presence. Using the four most related environmental variables (soil organic content, elevation, annual precipitation, and soil order), a model was created to determine which areas of Victoria had suitable habitat for koalas.
Save the Eastern Box Turtle

Elizabeth Wills Spring 2020

Even though the Eastern Box Turtle is the most common terrestrial turtle found in New Jersey, its population is declining throughout New Jersey and other states. It is listed as a vulnerable species on the ICUN Red List of Threatened Species, but little to no conservation work has been done in New Jersey to protect them specifically. This story map looks at habitat suitability for the Eastern Box Turtle throughout New Jersey.
Plight of the Pygmy

Lauren Sage Spring 2020

The Pygmy rabbit is the smallest rabbit in the United States and was listed as a threatened species in Washington in 1990 and was reclassified as an endangered species in 1993. In March 2003, the Columbia Basin Pgymy rabbit was federally listed as an endangered species. This story map looks at the habitat suitability of conservation areas for the Columbia Basin Pgymy rabbit.
The Fight to Save Green Sea Turtle Hatchlings

Kirsten Ahn Spring 2020

The Green Sea Turtle, also known as the Chelonia Mydas, has been an endangered species since 1978. Though this sea turtle was just downlisted to threatened by the US in 2016, it still remains an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. This story map focuses on the conservation of beach nesting sites in Vanuatu for the green sea turtle and looks at suitable areas for nesting. Turtle populations have been decreasing in Vanuatu due to increased tourism and increasing climate change.
The Gray Wolf in Stevens County, WA

Katie Maier Spring 2020

Gray Wolves, scientific name "Canis lupus," are endangered canines that are typically found in a diversity of habitats including tundra, woodlands, forests, grasslands, and deserts. This story map looks at the habitat suitability of Stevens County, Washington for gray wolves. 13 different ranches were geolocated in Stevens County in order to see which ranches had the closest proximity to gray wolf suitability patches.
Ice, Ice, Save Me

Beatriz De Jesus Spring 2020

This story map dives into the crucial environment of polar bears in the Arctic and the imminent threats that challenge the survival of this species as a whole. Due to the increasing effects of global climate change, their habitat is being increasingly compromised. Declines in population have led to a change in their conservation status; i.e. they are listed as Endangered in the US Endangered Species Act of 2008.

GEV 4320/8320: GIS for Conservation Management Esri Story Maps

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Gray Wolf Habitat Suitability in Pennsylvania

Alec Henderson Spring 2020

How a Wall Along the US-Mexico Border Would Impact Vulnerable Wildlife

Damir Creecy Spring 2020

Mangroves and Climate Change

Tess Adgie Spring 2020

Preparing for Climate Change: Preserving Delaware Beaches for Future Sea Turtle Nesting

Nicole Marks Spring 2020

California's Tiniest Hero: The Giant Kangaroo Rat

Delaina Castillo Spring 2020

The Diamondback Terrapin: Population Size Roller Coaster

Sandra Demberger Spring 2020

Wildlife Crossing Bridges: A New Normal

Lloyd Willis Spring 2020

Location X: Understanding Northwest Atlantic Blue Shark Distribution

Ben Moy Spring 2020

Impact of Australian Bushfires on Suitable Koala Habitat

Melissa Juber Spring 2020

Save the Eastern Box Turtle

Elizabeth Wills Spring 2020

Plight of the Pygmy

Lauren Sage Spring 2020

The Fight to Save Green Sea Turtle Hatchlings

Kirsten Ahn Spring 2020

The Gray Wolf in Stevens County, WA

Katie Maier Spring 2020

Ice, Ice, Save Me

Beatriz De Jesus Spring 2020