URWA_habitat

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Working Group (WHCWG)

Publication_Date: 20120531

Title: URWA_habitat

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: raster digital data

Other_Citation_Details: Washington ground squirrel, Urocitellus washingtoni (URWA)

Description:

Abstract:

Source: Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Working Group (WHCWG) 2012. For eight of the 11 focal species, focal species leads developed habitat models by assigning habitat values to each class of each relevant data layer (not all 22 layers were used for every species). These habitat values ranged from 0 (non-habitat) to 1 (the best possible habitat), and were selected based on information gleaned from the literature, expert opinion, and critical review of first-draft habitat maps. We used this rating scale to estimate the habitat value score for categories in each data layer assuming that all other input layers are optimal (e.g., what would the habitat value be for a cell that includes a steep slope, if all other conditions were optimal?).Once habitat scores were applied to base raster data, we multiplied scores across all input data layers to derive a composite score for each grid cell. For example, if a model included three layers, and a particular grid cell had values of 1.0, 0.5, and 0.5, respectively for the layers, the final model would have a value of 0.25 (1.0 x 0.5 x 0.5) in that cell. Thus, a feature in each data layer could only reduce the final habitat score or leave it unchanged. Species leads could parameterize features to force grid cells to be non-habitat by assigning them zero values. Likewise, assigning features a value of one meant that the remaining features in the grid cell would determine habitat values. See Appendix C for a master list of parameter values.For the Western rattlesnake, Greater Sage-Grouse, and Sharp-tailed Grouse, sufficient data existed for species leads to consider different approaches to modeling habitat and the associated habitat concentration areas. In the case of the rattlesnake, occurrence data were used in combination with the input data layers to model habitat using the MAXENT habitat modeling tool (Philips et al. 2006; see also Appendix A.9). For the two grouse species, we used lek location data in combination with resistance layers to identify habitat concentration areas without using a habitat model (See Section 2.7.1 and Appendices A.1 and A.2).

Purpose:

This raster represents suitable habitat, a prerequisite step in developing habitat concentration areas (HCAs) for 8 of the 11 Columbia Plateau project focal species.

Supplemental_Information:

This GIS dataset is part of a suite of wildlife habitat connectivity data produced by the Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Working Group (WHCWG). The WHCWG is a voluntary public-private partnership between state and federal agencies, universities, tribes, and non-governmental organizations. The WHCWG is co-led by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT). This dataset quantifies current wildlife habitat connectivity patterns for the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Available WHCWG raster data include model base layers, resistance, habitat, cost-weighted distance, and landscape integrity. Grid cell size is 90 m x 90 m. Habitat concentration areas, core areas, and linkage maps reside in raster and vector format. Project background can be found in the report: Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Working Group (WHCWG). 2012. Washington Connected Landscapes Project: Analysis of the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Washington Department of Transportation, Olympia, WA. Report document available online at: <http://www.waconnected.org>

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -121.861001

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -115.403665

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 49.004052

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 44.496779

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Theme_Keyword: wildlife habitat connectivity

Theme_Keyword: focal species

Theme_Keyword: habitat model

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Place_Keyword: Washington

Place_Keyword: Oregon

Place_Keyword: Idaho

Place_Keyword: Columbia Plateau Ecoregion

Place_Keyword: Pacific Northwest

Place_Keyword: USA

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

DATA BACKGROUND: The Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Working Group (WHCWG) produced these data which represent a regional analysis that portrays conditions at a regional scale. Applying these data at finer, more local scales is likely to increase uncertainty in terms of accuracy and applicability for local land use decisions. However, for the scale at which they were developed, these products are state-of-the-art, peer-reviewed representations of landscape variables and connected habitat networks. The WHCWG expended great effort to compile the best GIS data within constraints imposed by data development costs, available compilation sources, and available staff resources. Inherent in any dataset used to develop graphical representations, are limitations of accuracy as determined by, among others, the source, scale and resolution of the data. The products and data from this analysis convey a wealth of information relevant to conservation of Washington's wildlife and though they represent the state of the art, they rely on imperfect data, knowledge, and assumptions. We strongly suggest that readers thoroughly understand our methods and the limitations of those methods prior to applying our results. The data user should note Chapter 2 and appendices in the WHCWG Columbia Plateau report. See metadata Credits for the report.
SOURCE DATA YEAR: The GIS base layers input to linkage modeling were developed from a wide variety of sources compiled over the years generally from 1999 to 2010. We would like to specify a GIS base layer compilation year for users of the connectivity data; however, the wide range of base layer compilation dates complicates such a specification. For example, land cover / land use, a major base layer, was mapped from Landsat imagery acquired from 1999 to 2003. This layer was subsequently modified by the WHCWG Columbia Plateau Ecoregion project using land cover / land use sources as recent as 2010. Likewise, transportation data were primarily obtained from the 2010 Census TIGER roads and housing density data were generated from the 2000 Census dataset. The data user should be aware that some areas experiencing rapid change over the last decade may not be captured in the modeling effort. APPROPRIATE SCALE OF USE: The raw GIS data obtained by the WHCWG Columbia Plateau project were compiled from a wide range of compilation source scales. The GIS data were post-processed at a 30 m x 30 m cell size (except housing density which had a native cell size of 100 m x 100 m). These data were compiled to 90 m x 90 m cell size prior to connectivity modeling. Given the wide ranging source scales and post-processing we do not recommend application of linkage data at scales larger than 1:100,000.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:

Spatial Data Management Unit, Wildlife Program, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife

Contact_Person: Spatial Data Manager

Contact_Position: Spatial Data Manager

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing

Address: 600 Capitol Way N

City: Olympia

State_or_Province: Washington

Postal_Code: 98501

Country: US

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (360) 902-2515

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (360) 902-2162

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: info@waconnected.org

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: wildthing@dfw.wa.gov

Hours_of_Service: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM PST Weekdays (except Holidays)

Data_Set_Credit:

Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Working Group (WHCWG) 2012. Washington Connected Landscapes Project: Analysis of the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Washington Department of Transportation, Olympia, WA. Report document available online at: <http://www.waconnected.org>

Native_Data_Set_Environment:

Microsoft Windows Vista Version 6.0 (Build 6002) Service Pack 2; ESRI ArcGIS 10.0.3.3600

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Raster_Object_Information:

Raster_Object_Type: Pixel

Row_Count: 5471

Column_Count: 5259

Vertical_Count: 1

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Planar:

Map_Projection:

Map_Projection_Name: HabConnectProjectArea North America Albers Equal Area Conic

Albers_Conical_Equal_Area:

Standard_Parallel: 43.0

Standard_Parallel: 48.0

Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -120.0

Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 41.0

False_Easting: 700000.0

False_Northing: 0.0

Planar_Coordinate_Information:

Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: coordinate pair

Coordinate_Representation:

Abscissa_Resolution: 0.0000000033997027415466626

Ordinate_Resolution: 0.0000000033997027415466626

Planar_Distance_Units: Meter

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: D North American 1983

Ellipsoid_Name: GRS 1980

Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.0

Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257222101

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview: Cell value represents a composite habitat score.

Distribution_Information:

Distribution_Liability:

The Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Working Group (WHCWG) makes no guarantee concerning the content, accuracy, completeness, or the results obtained from queries or use of WHCWG data, other than those for which the data was developed and its intended use. The WHCWG shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein.

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20120701

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:

Spatial Data Management Unit, Wildlife Program, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife

Contact_Person: Spatial Data Manager

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing

Address: 600 Capitol Way N

City: Olympia

State_or_Province: Washington

Postal_Code: 98501

Country: US

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (360) 902-2515

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (360) 902-2162

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: wildthing@dfw.wa.gov

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

Metadata_Time_Convention: local time