The Hub Conservation Area - Montanans 4 Safe Wildlife Passage

GUIDE TO READINGPRIORITY LINKAGE ASSESSMENT LINKAGE REPORTS (p 50-192)Major Linkage NameLinkage “scorecard”- see page 30 fordetailsSpeciesAnimalIcons.Theserepresentthemajorspeciesdiscussedfor eachlinkagearea.Geographic BoundaryThe outer boundary of the linkageis described using local landmarks,highways, or other features. The nameof the linkage (i.e. Tobacco Roots toGravelly) describes the general habitatareas that are connected and displayedon the accompanying linkage map.Some linkages, such as Horse Prairie orCentennial Valley, also represent criticalcore habitat as well as connectionsbetween other linkages.Importance of Linkage AreaThe important habitat uses andconnections for several wildlife speciesthat are provided by the linkage areaare described in this section. Theconnections may be between seasonalhabitats within the local geographic area(i.e. bighorn movement between summerand winter range), or linkages betweenthis particular area and adjoining habitatsat a regional scale (i.e. wolverinemovement between major mountainranges).Ecological SettingThe natural features of the linkageare described here. This includesdescriptions of the vegetationcommunities (i.e. kinds of trees andplants), general topography andriver drainages, and the kinds ofhuman development (i.e. highways,railroads, major power lines) or naturaldisturbances (i.e. wild fires) that haveoccurred in the area that influencehabitat quality and continuity.WildlifeThis section describes the primarywildlife uses that occur in the linkage,emphasizing those focal species thathave important wide-ranging or seasonalmovements.48