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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
12:44
Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
Published on: July 24, 2016
Evaluating aggregate terrestrial impacts of road construction projects for advanced regional mitigation
James H Thorne1, Evan H Girvetz, Michael C McCoy
1Information Center for the Environment, University of California, 2132 Wickson Hall, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA. jhthorne@ucdavis.edu
Environmental Management
|February 17, 2009
Summary
This study developed a GIS database to assess highway construction habitat impacts in California. It aids transportation planners in meeting mitigation obligations and streamlines environmental reviews.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Transportation projects require assessing terrestrial habitat impacts for mitigation.
- Environmental reviews for highway construction can cause costly delays.
- Effective tools are needed for transportation planners to manage biological mitigation obligations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a GIS-based database framework for assessing aggregate terrestrial habitat impacts from highway construction.
- To incorporate statewide natural resource data into early planning and environmental assessments.
- To assess 10-year statewide mitigation obligations for the California Department of Transportation.
Main Methods:
- Developed a GIS database framework integrating natural resource data.
- Utilized eight spatial scales (watersheds, counties, transportation districts) creating 8058 planning units.
- Spatially intersected species occurrence data and landcover with planning units and project footprints.
Main Results:
- Projected habitat impacts were summarized and stored in the database.
- Database queries allow impact summaries by project, watershed, county, or district.
- The framework facilitates strategic identification of mitigation opportunities.
Conclusions:
- The GIS database provides a tool for assessing cumulative habitat impacts of highway projects.
- It supports efficient planning and identification of mitigation strategies for transportation agencies.
- The data architecture is adaptable for various agency biologists and planners and useful for regional planning.
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