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Evaluate Habitat Patches

Evaluate Habitat Patches measures the percent area of landscape within the analysis area remaining and generates a shapefile of the results.

This tool buffers structures and roads input layers by the disturbance distance to simulate habitat fragmentation created by structures and roads. The resulting habitat patches are evaluated by applying the minimum core size threshold.

Evaluate Habitat Patches is suitable for testing existing landscapes or for scenario testing to help land use planners design landscapes that maximize wildlife conservation value.


Illustration

Figure 1
Figure 1. Example output showing habitat blocks that exceed specified minimum patch size.

Usage Tips

Analysis Extent: Outputs are clipped to polygons contained in the analysis extent layer. For best results, the analysis extent should be limited to areas of suitable habitat for the target species.

Using dissolve to convert a multipart analysis extent layer to a single part layer can dramatically improve processing speed.


Command line syntax

EvaluateHabitatCores <Output_Table> <Analysis_Extent> <Structures_Layer> <Roads_Layer> <Minimum_Habitat_Core> <Disturbance_Distance> {Hectares | Acres | Square Kilometers | Square Meters | Square Miles}

Parameters
Expression Explanation
<Output_Table>

The name of a table where summary data will be stored.

<Analysis_Extent>

Polygon layer to be used as boundary for analysis area. This layer must have a projection with units in meters. Analysis outputs are clipped to the polygon(s) contained in this layer. For most accurate results, the analysis area should be limited to areas containing suitable habitat for the target species.

HINT: Using dissolve to convert a multipart analysis extent layer to a single part layer can dramatically improve processing speed.

<Structures_Layer>

A point layer representing the location of structures on the landscape.

<Roads_Layer>

A line layer representing the placement of roads on the landscape.

<Minimum_Habitat_Core>

The minimum habitat core area requirements for the target species.

<Disturbance_Distance>

The distance from roads and houses the target species is likely to avoid or where habitat quality is degraded.

{Hectares | Acres | Square Kilometers | Square Meters | Square Miles}

Select the units for reporting output densities.

Command Line Example


Scripting syntax

EvaluateHabitatCores (Output_Table, Analysis_Extent, Structures_Layer, Roads_Layer, Minimum_Habitat_Core, Disturbance_Distance, Output_Units)

Parameters
Expression Explanation
Output Table (Required)

The name of a table where summary data will be stored.

Analysis Extent (Required)

Polygon layer to be used as boundary for analysis area. This layer must have a projection with units in meters. Analysis outputs are clipped to the polygon(s) contained in this layer. For most accurate results, the analysis area should be limited to areas containing suitable habitat for the target species.

HINT: Using dissolve to convert a multipart analysis extent layer to a single part layer can dramatically improve processing speed.

Structures Layer (Required)

A point layer representing the location of structures on the landscape.

Roads Layer (Required)

A line layer representing the placement of roads on the landscape.

Minimum Habitat Core (Required)

The minimum habitat core area requirements for the target species.

Disturbance Distance (Required)

The distance from roads and houses the target species is likely to avoid or where habitat quality is degraded.

Output Units (Optional)

Select the units for reporting output densities.

Script Example