RAMAS® Landscape
DESCRIPTION
RAMAS® Landscape integrates the landscape model LANDIS with our RAMAS®/GIS habitat-based metapopulation model. With the integration of a landscape and a metapopulation model, predictions about the viability, recovery, and growth of a species can be based on the predicted changes in the landscapes in which they live.
In RAMAS® Landscape, predictions of the landscape model LANDIS are used as input maps for the metapopulation model RAMAS®/GIS. The program combines landscape predictions, information about the habitat requirements of the species, and demographic data on its population dynamics into a metapopulation model, which has dynamic spatial structure simulating the changes in the landscape. This metapopulation model is then run to simulate future changes in the abundance of the species and its distribution in the landscape, to estimate the risk of extinction or decline, time to extinction and other measures of threat and viability.
SOFTWARE
RESEARCH
Integrating Landscape and Metapopulation Modeling Approaches: Viability of the Sharp-tailed Grouse in a Dynamic Landscape
Citation: Akçakaya HR, Radeloff VC, Mladenoff DJ, He HS. 2004. Integrating landscape and metapopulation modeling approaches: viability of the sharp-tailed grouse in a dynamic landscape. Conservation Biology 18(2):526-537.
Presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology
We analyze the effect of forest management options on the viability of the Sharp-tailed Grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus, in the Pine Barrens region of northwestern Wisconsin using a model that integrates landscape and metapopulation modelling approaches. Our model simulates metapopulations in dynamic and fragmented habitats; it allows population viability analyses based on temporal changes in the habitat patch structure, brought about by processes such as succession, disturbances, and silviculture. Both the landscape and metapopulation components are spatially dynamic models.
The landscape component (LANDIS) predicts landscape dynamics in the form of a time series of maps that describe the tree species composition and age distribution at each decade. These maps are then combined into a time series of patch structures, which form the dynamic spatial structure of the metapopulation component (RAMAS®). The results indicate that the viability of the Sharp-tailed Grouse in the Pine Barrens depends both on landscape dynamics and on demographic variables such as fecundity and mortality. Ignoring the landscape dynamics gave overly optimistic results, and results based only on landscape dynamics (ignoring demography) led to a different ranking of the management options than the ranking based on the more realistic model that incorporated both landscape and demographic dynamics.
SERVICES
Applied Biomathematics has world-leading experts in metapopulation modeling and the use of RAMAS® Landscape. We are here to help, and can lead projects in modeling, results synthesis, report writing, and peer reviewed publications.
Modeling and Analysis
We have extensive experience in landscape ecology, habitat-based metapopulation models, and the analysis of the viability, recovery, and growth of species populations. We are available to perform original research in this area to suit your needs.
Data Synthesis and Report Writing
Our expert scientists can assess and summarize data and existing research and clearly communicate this synthesis in reports useful for policy development or decision making.
Support
Using RAMAS® Landscape? We offer technical support and can answer your questions about the use of this software for your research project.
