When a species is proposed for listing as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must consider whether there are areas of habitat believed to be essential the species conservation. Those areas may be proposed for designation as critical habitat. Critical habitat is a term defined and used in the Act. It is a specific geographic area(s) that contains features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and that may require special management and protection. Critical habitat may include an area that is not currently occupied by the species but that will be needed for its recovery. An area is designated as critical habitat after the Service publishes a proposed Federal regulation in the Federal Register and receives and considers public comments on the proposal. The final boundaries of the critical habitat are also published in the Federal Register.

This layer consists of the merged footprints of the USFWS critical habitat and the USFWS proposed Bi-State Sage-Grouse critical habitat,1 clipped to California. Critical habitat constitutes areas considered essential for the conservation of a listed species. These areas provide notice to the public and land managers of the importance of the areas to the conservation of this species. Special protections and/or restrictions are possible in areas where Federal funding, permits, licenses, authorizations, or actions occur or are required. The critical habitat footprint shown here is used as part of the biological planning priorities in the CEC 2023 Land-Use Screens and removes technical resource potential from the state. More information about this layer and its use in electric system planning is available in the Land Use Screens Staff Report in the CEC Energy Planning Library. [1] This dataset is obtained from the "Web Links" section (USFWS Proposed Critical Habitat Map) of the Bi-State Sage-Grouse Maps & GIS webpage, available at Maps & GIS | Bi-State Sage-Grouse (bistatesagegrouse.com).

This dataset displays the geographic areas within which critical habitat (CH) for terrestrial species at risk, listed on Schedule 1 of the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), occurs in Canada. Note that this includes only terrestrial species and species for which Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Parks Canada Agency (PCA) lead. Under SARA, critical habitat is “the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is identified as the species’ critical habitat in the recovery strategy or action plan for the species.” To precisely define what constitutes critical habitat for a particular species it is essential that this geospatial information be considered in conjunction with complementary information provided in a species’ recovery document. Recovery documents are available from the Species at Risk (SAR) Public Registry (https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry.html) for two posting stages (proposed and final posting). The recovery documents contain important information about the interpretation of the geospatial information, especially regarding the biological and environmental features (“biophysical attributes”) that complete the definition of a species’ critical habitat. Within any defined critical habitat geospatial boundary, not all of the area is necessarily critical habitat. It is important to note that recovery planning documents (and, therefore, critical habitat) may be amended from time to time as new information becomes available, which may occur after a document has been posted as proposed or final on the SAR Public Registry. The SAR Public Registry should always be considered as the main source for critical habitat information. In cases where the data are sensitive, the geographic area within which critical habitat occurs may be represented as grids. These are coarse grids (1, 10, 50 or 100 square kilometres) that serve as indicators to locate critical habitat in the recovery planning document. More detailed information on critical habitat may be made available on a need-to-know basis by contacting Environment and Climate Change Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service at ec.planificationduretablissement-recoveryplanning.ec@canada.ca. The data is current as of the date of the most recent revision.

This data provides results from field analyses, from the California Environmental Data Exchange Network (CEDEN). The data set contains two provisionally assigned values (“DataQuality” and “DataQualityIndicator”) to help users interpret the data quality metadata provided with the associated result.

Due to file size limitations, the data has been split into individual resources by year. The entire dataset can also be downloaded in bulk using the zip files on this page (in csv format or parquet format), and developers can also use the API associated with each year's dataset to access the data.

Users who want to manually download more specific subsets of the data can also use the CEDEN Query Tool, which provides access to the same data presented here, but allows for interactive data filtering.

This data set contains sensitive biological resource data for coastal habitats in Louisiana. Vector polygons represent various habitats, including marsh types, other wetlands, and seagrasses. Species-specific abundance, seasonality, status, life history, and source information are stored in relational data tables (described below) designed to be used in conjunction with this spatial data layer...

Area of Habitat (AOH) is 'the habitat available to a species, that is, habitat within its range'. It complements a geographic range map for a species by showing potential occupancy and reducing commission errors. AOH maps are produced by subtracting areas considered unsuitable for the species from their range map, using information on each species' associations with habitat and elevation. We present AOH maps for 5,481 terrestrial mammal and 10,651 terrestrial bird species (including 1,816 migratory bird species for which we present separate maps for the resident, breeding, and non-breeding areas). Our maps have a resolution of 100 m. On average, AOH covered 66±28% of the range maps for mammals and 64±27% for birds. The AOH maps were validated independently, following a novel two-step methodology: a modeling approach to identify outliers and a species-level approach based on point localities. We used AOH maps to produce global maps of the species richness of mammals, birds, globally thre...

Version 3.0 of the NFHP Data System consists of data access and visualization tools and underlying data management tools and functions. The NFHP National Assessment Results Viewer allows users to visualize the primary results reported in Through a Fish's Eye: The Status of Fish Habitats in the United States 2010 at various spatial scales. It depicts the condition of stream and coastal habitats across the country on a variety of base maps and provides one-click access to more detailed information at finer scales. The NFHP Data Theme Viewer provides a summarized look at available data by theme. Datasets are displayed to show data distribution and data density nationally, compared to available data linked to the NFHP spatial framework. The first theme to be provided is the Biological Data theme. Future priority data themes will be determined through the efforts of the National Science and Data Committee. The NFHP Data System provides streamlined data access and download capabilities for national and partnership data via a familiar Web page format. Behind the scenes, data management and delivery tools are powered by two existing USGS systems to enhance the data sharing, documentation, and delivery capabilities available to partners: USGS ScienceBase provides the data file upload and catalog services, while the USGS Core Science Metadata Clearinghouse assists with data documentation and preservation best practices that will improve the ability for partners, researchers, and managers who access and use data now and in the future.

This part of DS 781 presents habitat data in the Offshore of Carpinteria map area, California. The vector data file is included in "Habitat_OffshoreCarpinteria.zip," which is accessible from https://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/781/OffshoreCarpinteria/data_catalog_OffshoreCarpinteria.html. These data accompany the pamphlet and map sheets of Johnson, S.Y., Dartnell, P., Cochrane, G.R., Golden, N.E., Phillips, E.L., Ritchie, A.C., Kvitek, R.G., Greene, H.G., Endris, C.A., Seitz, G.G., Sliter, R.W., Erdey, M.D., Wong, F.L., Gutierrez, C.I., Krigsman, L.M., Draut, A.E., and Hart, P.E. (S.Y. Johnson and S.A. Cochran, eds.), 2013, California State Waters Map Series—Offshore of Carpinteria, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3261, 42 p., 10 sheets, scale 1:24,000, https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3261. Potential marine benthic habitat maps were constructed using multibeam echosounder (MBES) bathymetry and backscatter data. The habitats were based on substrate types and docume ...

This dataset contains seagrass time-series monitoring data collected by the Smithsonian Institution’s MarineGEO (Marine Global Earth Observatory) and its network partners. The dataset includes measurements on seagrass density, seagrass cover, and epifaunal invertebrates. The data is collected using MarineGEO’s standard survey design for sampling seagrass habitats.

MarineGEO seagrass monitoring at each site is conducted along three 50-m fixed transects intended to be permanent and sampled regularly (usually annually). Transects are located parallel to shore and along the shallow (inshore), middle (interior), and deep (offshore) parts of the seagrass bed, although variation can occur due to local site conditions. The seagrass cover measurements are taken every 4 meters along the transect (n = 12 per transect), the seagrass density measurements are taken alongside the cover measurements at every other replicate (n = 6 per transect), and epifaunal community samples are collected every 8 meters (n = 3 per transect).

Seagrass cover is measured by placing a quadrat (recommended size is 50 x 50 cm) alongside the transect line and estimating the cover of each seagrass species, other sessile organisms, and bare substratum. Seagrass density is measured by counting the number of seagrass shoots within a quadrat (recommended size is 25 x 25 cm). Epifauna samples are collected by randomly selecting an area ~ 1 meter to any side of the transect and quickly removing seagrass shoots with associated epifauna into a mesh bag; the animals are later identified in a laboratory by the data collectors. All data has undergone QA/QC by MarineGEO Central at the Smithsonian after submission by MarineGEO partners.

Note that the dataset may include submerged aquatic vegetation (not technically seagrass) in brackish to tidal freshwater sites collected with the MarineGEO seagrass protocol. This dataset will be updated on an on-going basis.

This record is for Approval for Access product AfA439. A habitat map derived from airborne data, specifically CASI (Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager) and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data.

The habitat map is a polygon shapefile showing site relevant habitat classes. Geographical coverage is incomplete because of limits in data available. It includes those areas where the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme have carried out sufficient aerial and ground surveys in England.

The habitat map is derived from CASI multispectral data, LIDAR elevation data and other GIS products. The classification uses ground data from sites collected near to the time of CASI capture. We use ground data to identify the characteristics of the different habitats in the CASI and LIDAR data. These characteristics are then used to classify the remaining areas into one of the different habitats.

Habitat maps generated by Geomatics are often derived using multiple data sources (e.g. CASI, LIDAR and OS-base mapping data), which may or may not have been captured coincidentally. In instances where datasets are not coincidentally captured there may be some errors brought about by seasonal, developmental or anthropological change in the habitat.

The collection of ground data used in the classification has some limitations. It has not been collected at the same time as CASI or LIDAR capture; it is normally within a couple of months of CASI capture. Some variations between the CASI data and situation on site at the time of ground data collection are possible. A good spatial coverage of ground data around the site is recommended, although not always practically achievable. For a class to be mapped on site there must have been samples collected for it on site. If the class is not seen on site or samples are not collected for a class, it cannot be mapped.

No quantitative accuracy assessment has been carried out on the habitat map, although the classification was trained using ground data and the final habitat map has been critically evaluated using Aerial Photography captured simultaneously with the CASI data by the processors and independently by habitat specialists. Please note that this content contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right [2014] and you must ensure that a similar attribution statement is contained in any sub-licences of the Information that you grant, together with a requirement that any further sub-licences do the same.

This dataset contains a collation of marine habitat and species biotope records created during contracts commissioned by Natural England; collected by Defra and associated bodies/agencies; or provided by third parties that have allowed their data to be republished under the Open Government Licence (OGL). There are two datasets available for download: 'Marine Habitats and Species Open Data' and 'Marine Designated Site Features Open Data'. The dataset 'Marine Habitats Species Open Data' comprises eight sub-datasets: three point datasets and five polygonal. These represent all publicly available datasets of marine habitats and species held by Natural England. The dataset 'Marine Designated Site Features Open Data' is a subset of the habitat and species data, which shows habitats and species (feature) data only within the site in which they are legally designated. The datasets comprises 6 sub-datasets: one point dataset and five polygonal. Both datasets are provided as an ESRI File Geodatabase (GDB) and as an OGC GeoPackage (GPKG). Additionally, 'Marine Designated Site Features Open Data' is provided with an ESRI structured layer file (LYR). All dataset geometry has been validated using the ESRI validation method. It has not been validated using the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) validation method and therefore may not comply with the OGC specification. These datasets are available under the Open Government Licence (OGL).

These are geospatial data that characterize the distribution of polar bear denning habitat on the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (NPR-A). Two datasets are included in this data package, they are both vector geospatial datasets of putative denning habitat (one set each for the western and eastern portion of the NPR-A). Each vector dataset is provided in both ESRI shapefile and Keyhole Markup Language (KML) formats. Denning habitat was estimated from computer interrogation of digital terrain models (DTM) derived from Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IfSAR) imagery collected by sensors mounted on fix-wing aircraft. Den habitat is defined as abrupt landscape features (e.g., coastal and riverbanks, lake shores) that are likely to accumulate snow to a depth sufficient for polar bears to build a maternal den (i.e., > 1 meter deep).

This part of SIM 3254 presents data for the habitat map of the seafloor (see sheet 7, SIM 3254) of the Offshore of Ventura map area, California. The vector data file is included in "Habitat_OffshoreVentura.zip," which is accessible from http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/781/OffshoreVentura/data_catalog_OffshoreVentura.html. Using multibeam echosounder (MBES) bathymetry and backscatter data, potential marine benthic habitat maps were constructed. The habitats were based on substrate types and documented or "ground truthed" using underwater video images and seafloor samples obtained by the USGS. These maps display various habitat types that range from flat, soft, unconsolidated sediment-covered seafloor to hard, deformed (folded), or highly rugose and differentially eroded bedrock exposures. Rugged, high-relief, rocky outcrops that have been eroded to form ledges and small caves are ideal habitat for rockfish (Sebastes spp.) and other bottom fish such as lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus). Habitat map is presented in a map format generated in a GIS (ArcMap), and both digital and hard-copy versions will be produced.

This part of DS 781 presents data for the habitat map of the seafloor of the Drakes Bay and Vicinity map area, California. The vector data file is included in "Habitat_DrakesBay.zip," which is accessible from https://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/781/DrakesBay/data_catalog_DrakesBay.html. These data accompany the pamphlet and map sheets of Watt, J.T., Dartnell, P., Golden, N.E., Greene, H.G., Erdey, M.D., Cochrane, G.R., Johnson, S.Y., Hartwell, S.R., Kvitek, R.G., Manson, M.W., Endris, C.A., Dieter, B.E., Sliter, R.W., Krigsman, L.M., Lowe, E.N., and Chin, J.L. (J.T. Watt and S.A. Cochran, eds.), 2015, California State Waters Map Series—Drakes Bay and Vicinity, California: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2015–1041, pamphlet 36 p., 10 sheets, scale 1:24,000, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20151041. Potential marine benthic habitat maps were constructed using multibeam echosounder (MBES) bathymetry and backscatter data. The habitats were based on substrate types and documented or "ground tr ...

This is a spatial dataset that describes the geographic extent and location of Habitat Networks for 18 priority habitats based primarily, but not exclusively, on the priority habitat inventory with additional data added in relation to habitat restoration-creation, restorable habitat, plus fragmentation action, and network enhancement and expansion zones. The maps are created following a standardised process that incorporates a range of data layers and identifies specific locations for a range of actions to help improve the ecological resilience for each of the habitats/habitat networks. This is the combined habitat network map. This updated dataset replaces the two previous published layers 'Habitat Networks (Combined Habitats) (England)' and 'Habitat Networks (Combined Habitats) (England) Priority Restoration'.

The Habitat Networks (England) comprise a series of 23 individual habitat network maps for England plus a single 'Combined Habitat Networks Map' and 3 'Grouped Habitat Networks Map'. The habitat network maps seek to apply the best evidence and principles and to use the best available nationally consistent spatial data. The habitat network maps are developed around 4 distinct habitat components sets and include 4 distinct network zones where action may be undertaken to build greater ecological resilience. The different elements of the maps are described below:

Habitat Components: - The location of existing patches of a specific habitat for which the network is developed. This is termed the 'Primary habitat' e.g. lowland heathland. The main baseline data used for this is the Priority Habitat Inventories (PHI). - The location of additional habitat that naturally form mosaics with the primary habitat e.g. habitats that are most likely to form ecological mosaics possibly used by species associated with the primary habitat. This is termed the 'Associated habitat'. The main baseline data used for this is the Priority Habitat Inventories (PHI). - The locations where habitat creation or restoration is known to occur, this is primarily sites under relevant agri-environment options. This is termed the 'Habitat creation'. - Sites where data suggests small fragments of the primary habitat or degraded habitat exists and where restoration may be possible, this is primarily developed from information held within the current PHI. This is termed the 'Restorable habitat'.

Network Zones: - Land within close proximity to the existing habitat components that are more likely to be suitable for habitat re-creation for the particular habitat. These areas are primarily based on soils but in many cases has been refined by also using other data such as hydrology, altitude and proximity to the coast. This is termed the 'Network Enhancement Zone 1'. - Land within close proximity to the existing habitat components that are unlikely to be suitable for habitat re-creation but where other types of habitat may be created or land management may be enhanced including delivery of suitable Green Infrastructure. This is termed the 'Network Enhancement Zone 2'. - Land immediately adjoining existing habitat patches that are small or have excessive edge to area ratio where habitat creation is likely to help reduce the effects of habitat fragmentation. This is termed the 'Fragmentation Action Zone'. - Land within relatively close proximity to the Network Enhancement Zones 1 & 2 that are more likely to be suitable for habitat creation for the particular habitat and identifying possible locations for connecting and linking up networks across a landscape. This is termed the 'Network Expansion Zone'

Note: For some habitat networks not all of the habitat components or all the action zones are identified either because the data does not exist or the habitat does not lend itself to identifying particular types of action. Further details are outlined in the Habitat Network Mapping Guidance document. The Network boundary is drawn around the 4 habitat components using a variable buffering process with a generalised distance of 500m although 1km was used for Blanket Bog. As the boundary for each habitat network is tightly drawn around the existing patches of habitat this means that at a national scale the habitat network is composed of a series of smaller 'networks' that encapsulates one or more clusters of existing habitat patches. These may be considered as 'network segments'. The Network Expansion Zone has been drawn around these segments to identify areas where additional action may be undertaken to build greater ecological resilience across the wider landscape.

The datasets used in the creation of the predicted Habitat Suitability models includes the CWHR range maps of Californias regularly-occurring vertebrates which were digitized as GIS layers to support the predictions of the CWHR System software. These vector datasets of CWHR range maps are one component of California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR), a comprehensive information system and predictive model for Californias wildlife. The CWHR System was developed to support habitat conservation and management, land use planning, impact assessment, education, and research involving terrestrial vertebrates in California. CWHR contains information on life history, management status, geographic distribution, and habitat relationships for wildlife species known to occur regularly in California. Range maps represent the maximum, current geographic extent of each species within California. They were originally delineated at a scale of 1:5,000,000 by species-level experts and have gradually been revised at a scale of 1:1,000,000. For more information about CWHR, visit the CWHR webpage (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR). The webpage provides links to download CWHR data and user documents such as a look up table of available range maps including species code, species name, and range map revision history; a full set of CWHR GIS data; .pdf files of each range map or species life history accounts; and a User Guide.The models also used the CALFIRE-FRAP compiled "best available" land cover data known as Fveg. This compilation dataset was created as a single data layer, to support the various analyses required for the Forest and Rangeland Assessment, a legislatively mandated function. These data are being updated to support on-going analyses and to prepare for the next FRAP assessment in 2015. An accurate depiction of the spatial distribution of habitat types within California is required for a variety of legislatively-mandated government functions. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protections CALFIRE Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP), in cooperation with California Department of Fish and Wildlife VegCamp program and extensive use of USDA Forest Service Region 5 Remote Sensing Laboratory (RSL) data, has compiled the "best available" land cover data available for California into a single comprehensive statewide data set. The data span a period from approximately 1990 to 2014. Typically the most current, detailed and consistent data were collected for various regions of the state. Decision rules were developed that controlled which layers were given priority in areas of overlap. Cross-walks were used to compile the various sources into the common classification scheme, the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR) system.CWHR range data was used together with the FVEG vegetation maps and CWHR habitat suitability ranks to create Predicted Habitat Suitability maps for species. The Predicted Habitat Suitability maps show the mean habitat suitability score for the species, as defined in CWHR. CWHR defines habitat suitability as NO SUITABILITY (0), LOW (0.33), MEDIUM (0.66), or HIGH (1) for reproduction, cover, and feeding for each species in each habitat stage (habitat type, size, and density combination). The mean is the average of the reproduction, cover, and feeding scores, and can be interpreted as LOW (less than 0.34), MEDIUM (0.34-0.66), and HIGH (greater than 0.66) suitability. Note that habitat suitability ranks were developed based on habitat patch sizes >40 acres in size, and are best interpreted for habitat patches >200 acres in size. The CWHR Predicted Habitat Suitability rasters are named according to the 4 digit alpha-numeric species CWHR ID code. The CWHR Species Lookup Table contains a record for each species including its CWHR ID, scientific name, common name, and range map revision history (available for download at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR).

The MSFD commission staff working paper (CSWP) defines predominant habitat types required for use in MSFD habitats initial reporting article 8 Analysis of essential features and characteristics (Art 8.1a Habitats). These predominant habitat typologies broadly correspond to EUNIS level 2 habitat typologies. This supported the process of mapping existing habitat types (evidence based and predicted) to the CSWP PHT classification by means of data re-engineering. The PHT layer has been derived from, Evidence based data source (EMODnet sediment and substrate) Predicted habitats data source (Predicted EUNIS habitats (2008 MESH model) In areas where neither evidence nor predicted data was available, a depth proxy was created using INFOMAR bathymetry. When viewing the PHT habitats layer, the Predominant Habitat Confidence should be also be used as reference as this provides the user with a means to establish the data source underpinning the derived PHT habitat type per polygon.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) commissioned the California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project because a functional network of connected wildlands is essential to the continued support of California's diverse natural communities in the face of human development and climate change. The Essential Connectivity Map depicts large, relatively natural habitat blocks that support native biodiversity (Natural Landscape Blocks) and areas essential for ecological connectivity between them (Essential Connectivity Areas). This coarse-scale map was based primarily on the concept of ecological integrity, rather than the needs of particular species. Essential Connectivity Areas are placeholder polygons that can inform land-planning efforts, but that should eventually be replaced by more detailed Linkage Designs, developed at finer resolution based on the needs of particular species and ecological processes. It is important to recognize that even areas outside of Natural Landscape Blocks and Essential Connectivity Areas support important ecological values that should not be "written off" as lacking conservation value. Furthermore, because the Essential Habitat Connectivity Map was created at the statewide scale, based on available statewide data layers, and ignored Natural Landscape Blocks smaller than 2,000 acres squared, it has errors of omission that should be addressed at regional and local scales.

This part of DS 781 presents data for the habitat map of the seafloor of the Offshore of Half Moon Bay map area, California. The polygon shapefile is included in "Habitat_OffshoreHalfMoonBay.zip," which is accessible from http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/781/OffshoreHalfMoonBay/data_catalog_OffshoreHalfMoonBay.html. Using multibeam echosounder (MBES) bathymetry and backscatter data (see Bathymetry; Backscatter A [8101]; and Backscatter B [7125]--Offshore Half Moon Bay, California, DS 781), potential marine benthic habitat maps were constructed. The habitats were based on substrate types and documented or "ground truthed" using underwater video images and seafloor samples obtained by the USGS. These maps display various habitat types that range from flat, soft, unconsolidated sediment-covered seafloor to hard, deformed (folded), or highly rugose and differentially eroded bedrock exposures. Rugged, high-relief, rocky outcrops that have been eroded to form ledges and small caves are ideal habitat for rockfish (Sebastes spp.) and other bottom fish such as lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus). Habitat map is presented in a map format generated in a GIS (ArcMap), and both digital and hard-copy versions will be produced.

These datasets were developed to represent the geographic distribution of Plantago ovata in the Mojave Desert. This data release consists of two raster spatial layers (GeoTIFF) reflecting predicted habitat for the species within the Mojave Desert and the standard error in predictions. The habitat layer (raster dataset) is a continuous probability distribution of suitable habitat where values range from 0 (very low probability of species occurrence) to 1 (very high probability of species occurrence). An additional raster dataset provides the standard error in habitat predictions calculated among alternative habitat models: users should evaluate both the habitat and standard error datasets and exercise prudence when applying the predictions to real world assessments of habitat. An R script is also provided that can reproduce the analyses used to create the raster datasets.