Predicted vertebrate species habitat distributions and species richness

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All species range maps are predictions about the occurrence of those species within a particular area (Csuti 1994). Traditionally, the predicted occurrences of most species begin with samples from collections made at individual point locations. The purpose of the GAP vertebrate species maps is to provide more precise information about the current predicted distribution of individual native species’ habitats within their general ranges and to allow calculation of predicted area of distributions and associations to specific habitat characteristics. We applied modern modeling and mapping techniques to produce predictive maps of the spatial occurrence of terrestrial vertebrates in the 5 states of the northwestern U.S. (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington; hereafter “Northwest”), in support of the U.S. Geological Survey Northwest Gap Analysis Project (NWGAP). Our general reasoning, objectives, and approach were outlined by Aycrigg and Beauvais (2007). The main objective was to produce consistent, repeatable, and standardized information products of high utility to NWGAP as well as the resource management community in the Northwest. To meet this objective we built upon the information and techniques developed by earlier Gap Analysis Projects (e.g., Merrill et al. 1996; Scott et al. 2002; Boykin et al. 2007), explored and applied some of the latest procedures of distribution modeling, and developed some novel approaches and methods. To our knowledge these models represent the first regional habitat models for vertebrate species at this resolution for the Northwest. The intent of this dataset and associated environmental variables is to provide these data in a user-friendly manner that will increase the chances of the models being used for conservation decisions and planning. We view species distribution modeling as an iterative process and hope that, as these models are used, we will get input from users to improve upon them. And we hope they can be updated as new information regarding the modeling process as well as the ability to map changed in species habitat distributions over time, is gathered.

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ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology

Recommended citation:
Beauvais, G., M. Andersen, D. Keinath, J. Aycrigg, and J. Lonneker. 2013. Predicted vertebrate species habitat distributions and species richness. Chapter 3 in J. Aycrigg, et al., eds. Ecoregional Gap Analysis of the Northwestern United States: Northwest Gap Analysis Project Draft Report. U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Program.

SWAP (2/19/2016) citation [corrected]:
Beauvais GP, Andersen M, Keinath D, Aycrigg J, Lonneker J. 2013. Predicted vertebrate species habitat distributions and species richness. Chapter 3. In: Aycrigg J, Andersen M, Beauvais GP et al., editors. Ecoregional gap analysis of the northwestern United States: Northwest Gap Analysis Program draft report. [place unknown]: US Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project. p. 58–110. [accessed 2016 Feb 16]. http://dx.doi.org/10.3996/092013-JFWM-064.S8. [Changed last name of publisher to "Program"]