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Dryad
Published June 15, 2023 | Version v1
Dataset Open

Data from: Conserving habitat for migratory ungulates: how wide is a migration corridor?

Creators

  • 1. University of Wyoming
  • 2. Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • 3. United States Geological Survey
  • 4. Western EcoSystems Technology (United States)

Description

  1. Conserving migratory ungulates relies on the analysis of GPS collar data and associated maps of migration corridors to inform management and policy actions. Current methods for identifying migratory corridors use complex statistical models designed to account for movement uncertainty rather than estimating the amount of space required by animals to migrate. Further, such methods can complicate conservation efforts by producing highly variable corridor widths and non-contiguous corridors that do not fully connect seasonal ranges.
  2. To remedy this, we propose an intuitive line buffer approach for delineating individual migration corridors that is simple to implement and focuses on the functional corridor widths needed by migratory ungulates. 
  3. By buffering a line that connects successive GPS locations, we can delineate individual migration corridors with consistent widths that are robust to variable parameters (GPS fix-rate, travel speed, tortuosity) and provide contiguous connection between seasonal ranges. Using a combination of expert knowledge, simulation, and 10-min GPS collar data collected from mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), we suggest 400 to 600 m are reasonable estimates of functional migration corridor widths for individuals of those species.
  4. Our line buffer approach is intended to simplify migration corridor delineation, improve transparency, and encourage a broader discussion of functional corridor widths. These considerations help advance efforts to conserve habitat within migration corridors and prioritize conservation efforts within a single corridor or across multiple corridors.

Notes

The dataset is a comma-delimited file with 5 columns and 6,444 rows. The species column represents either mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) or pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). The id column represents a unique animal id. The x and y columns represent easting and northing of the relocations in ESPG: 5072. The date column represents the date and time (in 'Year-Month-Day Hour:Minute:Second' format) of the relocation in local time (MST or MDT). The dataset is only the 10-min relocation data from the 4 animals during their spring migration in 2022. Note that these data do not encompass the entire spring migration of these animals, as we remotely programmed the collars (which have a delay of a day or two) to collect 10-min data after they seemingly began migrating. 

Funding provided by: Wyoming Department of Game and Fish*
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Files

GPS_10min_MuleDeer_Pronghorn_Wyoming.csv

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