ID: 1780
Presenting Author: Jonathan Ruppert
Session: 683 - Watershed Intelligence: Integrating Science and Engagement in Impact Assessments
Status: pending
TRCA applies graph-theoretic modeling to assess urban impacts on wildlife connectivity, guiding mitigation and planning aligned with biodiversity goals like the 30×30 initiative.
Urban expansion continues to reshape natural landscapes, fragmenting habitats and disrupting wildlife movement. At the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), we use graph-theoretic connectivity modeling within a multispecies risk assessment framework to evaluate how proposed developments affect ecological networks. Our regional and watershed-scale analyses reveal that without mitigation, key corridors linking core and peripheral forested areas are severed, isolating green spaces within the urban matrix. Scenarios that incorporate small, distributed renaturalized areas show improved connectivity and help offset habitat loss. However, elevated road mortality near critical corridors highlights transportation infrastructure as a major barrier. TRCA and partners are implementing projects that integrate regional modeling with site-level assessments to guide mitigation strategies, including wildlife crossings and targeted restoration. This approach supports evidence-based planning that balances urban growth with biodiversity conservation. It also contributes to policy goals like the 30×30 initiative, reinforcing the role of strategic connectivity modeling in natural heritage system planning and sustainable development.
Dr. Jonathan Ruppert is a Senior Research Scientist at TRCA and Adjunct Professor at U of T, specializing in urban ecology, connectivity modeling, and biodiversity-focused planning.