Spatial Optimisation of River Restoration Planning in Nova Scotia: Masters Thesis.
Published in Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2013
Recommended citation: Oldford G (2013). "Spatial Optimisation of River Restoration Planning in Nova Scotia, Canada [Thesis]" School for Resource & Environmental Studies. (https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/36309/Oldford-Greig-MES-SRES-August-2013.pdf?sequence=1)
Optimisation, a method of prioritisation, is capable of accounting for longitudinal connectivity, spatial interdependence, and cumulative effects of anthropogenic barriers such as dams and culverts. In addition, optimisation can help ensure that limited restoration funds are efficiently allocated. Despite these advantages, it remains under-employed. I present optimisation models for maximising connectivity within a river network (i.e., undirected connectivity) and connectivity between the network and its outflow (i.e., directed connectivity) and demonstrate their application on three river networks in Nova Scotia, Canada. Non-additive cumulative effects of barriers and key budget thresholds that yielded better returns on investment were observed. The methods and models address current challenges in implementation of the optimisation approach to systematic river restoration planning.