We present results from two modeling approaches for the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion, focal species and landscape integrity. The eleven species (Sharp-tailed Grouse, Greater Sage-Grouse, black-tailed jackrabbit, white-tailed jackrabbit, Townsend’s ground squirrel, Washington ground squirrel, least chipmunk, mule deer, Western rattlesnake, beaver, and tiger salamander) represent six broad vegetation classes within the ecoregion. Landscape integrity identifies areas of relatively low human disturbance and connections between these areas. We synthesize these results in the main report and in more detailed species-specific appendices.

Our results support a vision for a connected Columbia Plateau Ecoregion in Washington. This includes descriptions of two broad connectivity regions, the Connected Backbone of central Washington and the Braided Scablands Swath in the far eastern portion of the state, as well as east–west connections between them: the Upper Crab Creek and Lower Crab Creek linkage zones. Complex linkage zones connecting to areas outside of Washington include the Northern, Southern, Cascade Range, and Blue Mountains zones.

We encourage that you use this analysis to support the development and implementation of innovative strategies and efforts to help fulfill the vision of a connected Columbia Plateau in Washington  We also encourage users to review and consider the supplemental connectivity maps presented in our Addendum publication, Columbia Plateau Ecoregion Addendum: Habitat Connectivity Centrality, Pinch-Points, and Barriers/Restoration Analyses.

Washington Connected Landscapes Project:  Analysis of the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion

Questions and requests for hard copies of the Executive Summary can be submitted via our Contact Us page. All files in .pdf format.

Executive Summary

Analysis of the Columbia Plateau.  Full document including five chapters for download.

• Chapter 1.  Introduction to the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion Analysis
• Chapter 2.  Methods
• Chapter 3.  Results from the Connectivity Analysis of the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion
• Chapter 4.  Important Areas for Connectivity in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion
• Chapter 5.  Future Work and Conclusions

Appendices

• Appendix A.1. Connectivity for Sharp-tailed Grouse in the Columbia Plateau
• Appendix A.2. Connectivity for Greater-Sage Grouse in the Columbia Plateau
• Appendix A.3. Connectivity for Black-tailed Jackrabbit in the Columbia Plateau
• Appendix A.4. Connectivity for White-tailed Jackrabbit in the Columbia Plateau
• Appendix A.5. Connectivity for Townsend’s Ground Squirrel in the Columbia Plateau
• Appendix A.6. Connectivity for Washington Ground Squirrel in the Columbia Plateau
• Appendix A.7. Connectivity for Least Chipmunk in the Columbia Plateau
• Appendix A.8. Connectivity for Mule Deer in the Columbia Plateau
• Appendix A.9. Connectivity for Western Rattlesnake in the Columbia Plateau
• Appendix A.10. Connectivity for Beaver in the Columbia Plateau
• Appendix A.11. Connectivity for Tiger Salamander in the Columbia Plateau
• Appendix B. Focal Species and Landscape Integrity Habitat Concentration Areas, Core Areas, and Linkage Data (see below)
• Appendix C. Focal Species and Landscape Integrity Model Values
• Appendix D. GIS Data Layer Development and Data Sources
• Appendix E. Focal Species Selection

Data Layers

Data layers are available for download via zip files below, and are available for download in our Databasin data gallery . Please contact us if you have any questions.

List of vector and raster data layers available (PDF file).  Click on the species or Landscape Integrity below to download a zip file.  Each zipped file contains a geodatabase, layer file dir, and a metadata dir (xml, html).  Be aware that these are large files, so you will need a good internet connection to download.

1. Landscape Integrity
2. Sharp-tailed grouse
3. Greater-sage grouse
4. Black-tailed jackrabbit
5. White-tailed jackrabbit
6. Townsend’s ground squirrel
7. Washington ground squirrel
8. Least chipmunk
9. Mule deer
10. Western rattlesnake
11. Beaver
12. Tiger salamander

Base layers package for the Columbia Plateau analyses.

Data layers are copyrighted by the Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Working Group with user constraints and guidance.