the upper altamaha initiative: fall 2005
utility right-of-way design to accommodate wildlife and passive recreation

Leif Stephens, Nate Hunt, Carol Flaute

Urban Wildlife Management in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia (PDF)

Abstract

As the Earth's human populations continue to grow, communities must increasingly balance the preservation of wildlife habitat with urban development. Constant development results in a decrease of wildlife habitat and an increase of habitat fragmentation. Urbanization often leaves animals with small, isolated patches of habitat that are separated by buildings, roads, neighborhoods, and farms. These infrastructure and habitat changes often create impassable barriers to wildlife migration, and the fragmentation of wildlife habitats can make it difficult for a wildlife population to sustain itself in isolated areas. When animals attempt to move between habitat patches, their interactions with development can be fatal, especially when crossing roads. Athens-Clarke County (ACC) is concerned about how to improve the management of its urban wildlife and forests, and establishing wildlife corridors to permit safer animal passage within and across the county. In order to help the county address this concern, we have been asked to provide the following assistance:

1. Compile a list of species that are associated with each habitat type in the county, and from this list, select indicator species for each habitat. We will provide two types of indicator species. The first will be a representative species that can be used in making land management decisions and to help with public relations as they pertain to these decisions. The second will include species that are indicative of good habitat quality. This information will be incorporated into GIS shapefiles and can be used for future greenspace planning.
2. Conduct a literature review on different road crossing options for wildlife usage and recommend types of road crossings that are appropriate for connecting fragmented habitats in ACC. The r eview will include information such as why road crossings are important, which types of crossings work for which species, and how to decide where to implement road crossings.
3. Conduct a literature review on different management strategies for enhancing wildlife habitat and corridors in utility line right-of-ways. This review will include management implementations as they pertain to certain wildlife and surrounding habitat. Management schemes will include the time of year, practice used (such as mowing, harrowing, planting, etc.), and identification of plants that are utilized by wildlife.

The first objective will assist in determining which areas of the county should be connected, while the second and third objectives are tools that can be used to help connect habitats and enhance the wildlife management of these areas. As ACC's population continues to grow, the information provided by this project can help the county work toward the goal of developing in an ecologically sensitive manner that protects wildlife and wildlife habitat. The county may use this information as a resource to help manage existing and future greenspace and wildlife corridors, including the greenway network.

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University of Georgia -  Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology