Jochen Jaeger, visiting scholar from Zurich, Switzerland, and Patty Cramer, visiting speaker from Utah State University, were both at the Road Ecology Center May 8^th, 2007 for Patty’s lecture as part of the Road Ecology Seminar Series.

Jochen is at the UC Davis Road Ecology Center for two months to collaborate on a research project funded by the Sustainable Transportation Center at ITS-Davis, the university’s new UTC. The project: Modeling Habitat Fragmentation in Relation to Road Systems: A Tool for Transportation Planning in California, is developing new GIS-based metrics of habitat fragmentation due to road networks in California and testing the metrics for ten endangered animal species. This tool is being developed for use in long-range transportation planning, safety, project delivery and stewardship.

Patty presented results of her research on Evaluation of the use and effectiveness of wildlife crossings. Through a National Acadamies’ research grant, Patty surveyed over 400 professionals across North America and shared many fascinating examples of wildlife crossings and implications for transportation planning and project development and further research. Patty’s slides can be seen on our course website.