Assessing Ecological Economic Impacts of Landscape Change
in Mountain Ecosystems.
Author: Dr. Tony
Prato, University of Missouri-Columbia
Abstract: An integrated method of assessing the
ecological and economic impacts of landscape change in mountain
ecosystems is presented. The method: a) identifies historical
changes in land cover using remotely sensed data, b) uses a
functional landscape model to predict changes in land cover in
response to biophysical and economic drivers, and c) evaluates
impacts of land cover changes on ecological integrity and economic
activity. The functional landscape model combines zone-specific
transition probabilities derived from historical land cover data
and projected land use requirements for economic development.
Impacts of landscape changes on ecological integrity are evaluated
by integrating changes in landscape structure metrics estimated
from land cover data and habitat suitability criteria for key
species. Economic impacts are assessed using the IMPLAN model. The
method can be used to evaluate the vulnerability of species to
further habitat fragmentation and the effectiveness of alternative
management strategies in achieving sustainable landscape
management.
