Redleaf Environmental has developed ground breaking research into mapping natural asset corridors within Australia. Advancements in GIS interrogation, manipulation and analysis of complex datasets and biological processes has been gleaned from the international and national literature and applied to natural assets corridor mapping. Very few examples within Australia have used empirical data through extensive modelling of focal species habitat suitability to identify corridors. A powerful decision support tool is the result.

The principal objectives of the corridor mapping project were to identify, justify and map the following at a local government scale:

• biodiversity corridors
• corridor buffers
• existing vegetated areas within the corridors; and
• potential rehabilitation areas within the corridors.

The outputs of this decision support tool can be used by any number of potential users including landcare groups, NRM regional bodies, private landholders, research institutions, state and commonwealth departments. The corridors also extend into neighbouring local government areas and could potentially influence other councils in biodiversity corridor mapping.

The method integrates the results of a number of focal species and guild models into a corridor design network. Each focal species is modelled through the ArcGIS platform using datasets and scientific knowledge of species biology to calculate habitat patches, population patches and to provide a basis for a linkage corridor network across a study area. The focal species models were based on sound scientific principles and understanding using the best available data layers and expert knowledge. The outputs from this method are transparent, repeatable and provide an evidence based approach to identifying corridors and justification for their location.

This study developed a decision support tool using ArcGIS and incorporates:

• focal species modelled corridors
• combined modelled corridor (includes the focal species models)
• a landscape integrity model layer
• a priority rehabilitation tool across the entire study area

Possible ways to use the outputs of this decision support tool are:

Redleaf's team of GIS analyst's and scientists applied this method to the Toowoomba local government area. But the method could be applied to any study area including river catchments, bioregions or at a local catchment scale. It all depends on your needs.

Contact us today for further information. We would be happy to provide you with a free presenation on the method.

We are experts in the following areas

• Flora and Fauna Surveys and Assessments
• Aquatic Surveys
• Fauna Spotter Catcher
• Bat Conservation and Management
• Anabat Echolocation Call Identification
• Natural assets corridor mapping