Geo-political borders and at-risk species' distributions and conservation

NERC : Sarah Raymond : NE/S007504/1

The research project will investigate the impacts of the US-Canada border on conservation of at-risk species around the region of the Okanagan watershed, in the context of culture, politics and land governance. Species distribution modelling will be used to compare distributions of selected species either side of the border, and environmental, social and geographical variables will be included to determine how differences in governance influence where species are found.

Additionally, environmental suitability maps will identify regions either side of the border which may provide suitable habitat for at-risk species, even if not previously recorded there. The expected outcomes include a greater understanding of how conservation and species occurrence is influenced by political borders, which can then be used to better inform conservation decisions within North America and further afield.

The project will highlight the importance of transboundary and multidisciplinary cooperation to tackle the current global biodiversity crisis that we face.