Prioritizing Areas for Landscape-Scale Ecological Restoration and Rewilding

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Robert Rose

Project Description

Working with American Prairie and Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, a team of W&M students will help with a zonation study identifying priority areas to restore intact prairie ecosystems in Montana.

Restoring landscape-scale and resilient prairie ecosystems across Montana requires an integrative approach to understanding the ecological and socioeconomic dimension of the ecosystem. Grassland ecosystems support globally important biodiversity, ecosystem services, and socioeconomic and cultural values for many communities.

American Prairie and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) are collaborating to develop a plan for landscape-scale prairie ecosystem restoration and reconnection in Montana. To inform the American Prairie conservation strategy, the team is identifying priority zones for restoration, considering diverse factors such as ecosystem functionality, biodiversity, landscape connectivity, wildlife space use, restoration potential, socioeconomic and cultural activities, and human perceptions.

Two W&M students will join a team of researchers working to identify priority zones for restoration from an integrative and just lens, informing American Prairie's strategy to restore connected prairie ecosystems across Montana.

Number of Students

2

Prerequisites and Required Skills:

Pre-req: Intro to GIS

Travel Required

Student may have an opportunity for a 2-week visit to Montana to validate their data and to learn about American Prairie. Students should be prepared to camp and hike in variable terrain.

Project ID - Format

25-010-25 - CRP Year