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UNICOR: A species connectivity and corridor network simulator

  • University of Montana
  • Lupine Logic Inc.
  • United States Department of Agriculture
  • Montana State University

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

165 Scopus citations

Abstract

We introduce UNIversal CORridor network simulator (UNICOR), a species connectivity and corridor identification tool. UNICOR applies Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm to individual-based simulations. Outputs can be used to designate movement corridors, identify isolated populations, and prioritize conservation plans to promote species persistence. The key features include a driver-module framework, connectivity mapping with thresholding and buffering, and calculation of graph theory metrics. Through parallel-processing, computational efficiency is greatly improved, allowing analyses of large extents and entire populations. Previously available approaches are limited by prolonged computational times and poor algorithmic efficiency, restricting problem-size and requiring artificial subsampling of populations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9-14
Number of pages6
JournalEcography
Volume35
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2012

Funding

Funder number
1067613

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