UNICOR: a species connectivity and corridor network simulator

2011/11/23 by E. L. Landguth, Erin L. Landguth, Brian K. Hand +7 · 6 citations
Environmental Science · #Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation #Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation

paper · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0587.2011.07149.x

openalex publication_date 2011/11/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

We introduce UNIversal CORridor network simulator (UNICOR), a species connectivity and corridor identification tool. UNICOR applies Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm to individual‐based simulations. Outputs can be used to designate movement corridors, identify isolated populations, and prioritize conservation plans to promote species persistence. The key features include a driver‐module framework, connectivity mapping with thresholding and buffering, and calculation of graph theory metrics. Through parallel‐processing, computational efficiency is greatly improved, allowing analyses of large extents and entire populations. Previously available approaches are limited by prolonged computational times and poor algorithmic efficiency, restricting problem‐size and requiring artificial subsampling of populations.

Citations

• A Resistant‐Kernel Model of Connectivity for Amphibians that Breed in Vernal Pools
• A note on two problems in connexion with graphs

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