Lab 6: Suitability Least Cost Analysis Part B

 

For this scenario of the lab, we were tasked with identifying potential wildlife corridors that would be suitable for black bear movement between two existing protected areas in Coronado National Forest. To build the suitability model, there were three criteria used to assess the best corridor for the black bears: Distance from Roads, Elevation, and Land Cover. I reclassified each criteria to a 1-10 suitability scale and then combined the reclassified layers using the Weighted Overlay tool with weights of: Land Cover at 60%, Elevation at 20%, Distance to Roads at 20%. I then created a Cost Surface using the Raster Calculator tool with the expression "10 - Suitability Layer." The lower values indicated easier travel for bears while the higher values were less desirable areas for travel. The resulting corridor shown in the layout above in a red color, connect the two forest areas through mid-elevation forested zones avoiding major roads.