Data from: Conserving habitat for migratory ungulates: how wide is a migration corridor?

<ol> <li>Conserving migratory ungulates relies on the analysis of GPS collar data and associated maps of migration corridors to inform management and policy actions. Current methods for identifying migratory corridors use complex statistical models designed to account for movement uncertainty rather than estimating the amount of space required by animals to migrate. Further, such methods can complicate conservation efforts by producing highly variable corridor widths and non-contiguous corridors that do not fully connect seasonal ranges.</li> <li>To remedy this, we propose an intuitive line buffer approach for delineating individual migration corridors that is simple to implement and focuses on the functional corridor widths needed by migratory ungulates. </li> <li>By buffering a line that connects successive GPS locations, we can delineate individual migration corridors with consistent widths that are robust to variable parameters (GPS fix-rate, travel speed, tortuosity) and provide contiguous connection between seasonal ranges. Using a combination of expert knowledge, simulation, and 10-min GPS collar data collected from mule deer (<em>Odocoileus</em> <em>hemionus</em>) and pronghorn (<em>Antilocapra</em> <em>americana</em>), we suggest 400 to 600 m are reasonable estimates of functional migration corridor widths for individuals of those species.</li> <li>Our line buffer approach is intended to simplify migration corridor delineation, improve transparency, and encourage a broader discussion of functional corridor widths. These considerations help advance efforts to conserve habitat within migration corridors and prioritize conservation efforts within a single corridor or across multiple corridors.</li> </ol>