Exploring Patterns of Habitat Diversity Across Landscapes Using Partial Ordering

Potential habitat suitability was assessed for species groupings of vertebrate fauna in the State of Pennsylvania, USA as part of a nationally coordinated GAP Analysis Program to find gaps in provision for conservation of important habitats. Diversity values were compiled spatially at a resolution of one square kilometre from species models developed at 30-meter resolution. Diversity patterns differ in varying degrees among species groups for mammals, birds, amphibians, snakes/lizards, turtles, and fishes. Comparing the patterns for partial ordering on watershed extents using statistical indices of ranking can facilitate determination of inter-group commonality and contrast. This helps to designate watersheds as having importance from multi-group and particular group perspectives. Partial ordering on the basis of rank-range runs is particularly informative when combined with levels of counter-indication corresponding to levels in a Hasse diagram. This serves to segregate sets having combinatorial clarity of condition relative to conservation from settings where disparate conditions may offer opportunities for targeted restoration. Disparity of conditions on multiple bio-indicators may arise from habitat heterogeneity as well as differential degradation. Broadening the spectrum of indicators will usually increase the apparent complexity of the conservation context.