AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
FWS NWI Wetland Mapper Prints FY23

This dataset shows the extent of maps printed from the USFWS Wetlands Mapper ([https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/]) in the United States in fiscal year 2023. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is a publicly available resource that provides detailed information on the abundance, characteristics and distribution of America’s wetlands. One of the ways the wetlands data is provided to the public is via an interactive wetlands mapper ([https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/Mapper.html]). The [Wetlands Mapper] delivers an easy-to-use map-like view of America’s wetland resources. It spatially integrates NWI data with additional natural resource information and political boundaries to produce a robust decision support tool. From 2015-2024, over 2.3 million maps have been printed from the NWI Wetlands Mapper. The geographic extent of these maps illuminate certain patterns of how NWI data are used by the public. Being aware of how the public uses NWI data will allow the program respond to user needs, learn where updates might be most appreciated, and help guide future project planning. For questions or comments on this information, please contact Jeff Ingebritsen (jeffrey_ingebritsen@fws.gov).
SWAP data entry progress (feature layer)

This layer shows progress made towards the goal of all SWAP information entered an accessible using the SWAP Data Visualization Tool (SWAP DVT). The SWAP DVT demonstrates how collaboration, effective conservation, and management decisions can be promoted across a variety of landscapes and political boundaries. This tool allows users to quickly compare data, threats, and conservation initiatives both within and across species, habitats, state lines, and regions in the United States and its territories. Data are standardized to the same format to assist state personnel in collaboration and awareness of neighboring State Wildlife Action Plans. Key trends in threats and actions that must be taken to aid in species or habitat recovery are also displayed, allowing for effective conservation across political boundaries. The tool can also be updated and improved for each SWAP revision cycle.
Level of agreement among GCMs for projected change in SEI class (under RCP4.5 2071-2100)

Understanding how climate change will contribute to ongoing declines in sagebrush ecological integrity is critical for informing natural resource management. We assessed potential future changes in sagebrush ecological integrity (SEI) under a range of scenarios using an individual plant-based simulation model, integrated with remotely sensed estimates of current sagebrush ecological integrity. The simulation model allowed us to estimate how climate change, wildfire, and invasive annuals interact to alter the potential abundance of key plant functional types that influence sagebrush ecological integrity (SEI): sagebrush, perennial grasses, and annual grasses. This layer shows agreement among climate models for change in sagebrush ecological integrity class (under RCP4.5 2071–2100) for areas that are currently Core Sagebrush Areas (CSA) or Growth Opportunity Areas (GOA). “Non-robust agreement” indicates agreement among 7–11 models out of 13 (not a robust signal, represented by light colors), and ‘robust agreement’ means agreement among 12–13 models (a robust signal, represented by dark colors). Loss of CSA means future classification is GOA or Other Rangeland Area (ORA). Loss of GOA means future classification is ORA. Change in SEI class, is relative to the SEI class during the 2017-2020 time-period. Please see Holdrege et al. 2024 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2024.08.003) for details on our methods (note that this layer is shown in Fig 2a of that manuscript). This layer is derived from the 'c9_Default_RCP45_2071-2100.tif' that can be downloaded from Science Base (https://doi.org/10.5066/P13RXYZJ).
Natural Landcover In Floodplains (SECAS Goal Trends)

Yearly trend Natural landcover in floodplains declined by about 0.008% per year in the SECAS region (not including the Caribbean). That is a loss of approximately 23,400 acres per year. There were declines in most states. On track to meet SECAS goal No. The decline of about 0.03% every 4 years is not enough to meet the SECAS goal of a 1% increase every 4 years. Data source [National Land Cover Database (NLCD)] Confidence in trend Low. The decline was not statistically significant across the region. There are major issues with NLCD classification errors in floodplain areas—especially when separating non-natural habitats like pasture and row crop from natural habitats like shrublands, grasslands, and wetlands. These classification errors seem to be impacted by yearly climate variations and add significant noise to the trend data.In addition to yearly noise due to misclassification, the consistent incorrect classification of grasslands as pasture results in an overall underestimate of natural landcover in areas where grasslands occur in floodplains. Interpretation This is an indicator of the health of freshwater and nearby wetland ecosystems. Despite extensive conservation investments in protecting and restoring natural landcover in floodplains, this indicator does not appear to be improving since 2011. While increases in this indicator for some states are positives signs of progress, recent wetland policy changes will likely make it particularly challenging to meet the SECAS goal in future years. Other information available A table of state-level summaries is available in Appendix I of the pdf report: [https://secassoutheast.org/pdf/SECAS-goal-report-2024.pdf].
Grassland & Savanna Area (SECAS Goal Trends)

Yearly trend Grassland and savanna area declined by 0.31% per year from 2011-2021. Area declined in most counties (76%). Increases typically occurred in counties with major ecosystem-based restoration efforts (e.g., range-wide longleaf pine, woodlands in Missouri and Arkansas.) On track to meet SECAS goal No. The decline of about 1.24% every 4 years is not enough to reach the SECAS goal of a 1% increase every 4 years. Data source Modeled indicator based on[National Land Cover Database (NLCD)]land cover and canopy cover,[LANDFIRE Biophysical Settings,][Texas Ecological Mapping Systems,][Oklahoma Ecological Systems Map.]The model starts with areas that were historically grassland or savanna based on LANDFIRE. It then uses landcover and canopy cover to identify current area for each year. For areas of historic grassland, it uses a canopy cover threshold of 0%. For areas of historic savanna, it uses a canopy cover threshold of 60%. In Texas and Oklahoma, we further reduced the estimate by removing mesquite-invaded areas that weren’t currently functioning as grassland or savanna.This approach is similar to parts of the grasslands and savannas Blueprint indicator, but includes a number of changes more focused on trend estimation. Confidence in trend High. Trend is statistically significant and shows consistent declines across all five years with data (2011, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021). Interpretation This is a coarse indicator of the overall extent of grassland and savanna. It includes a wide range of quality, from restored areas and remnants, to temporary grasslands created by forestry, to highly altered areas of pasture. The steep declines mirror large declines seen in species that depend on grasslands and savannas, like pollinators and grassland birds. Grassland declines throughout the SECAS region are occurring on both public and private lands. For most SECAS states, the major source of grassland and savanna loss was excess tree growth. The exceptions to this were: 1) Missouri, where the biggest loss was to row crop, and 2) Texas and Florida, where the biggest loss was to urban growth. Despite steep declines, improvements in places like the longleaf pine range, historic woodlands in Missouri and Arkansas, and tallgrass prairie in Northeast Oklahoma show that focused conservation attention can reverse declines in specific places. Other information available Tabular data associated with the chart above are available in Appendix I.
Landscape Condition (SECAS Goal Trends)

Yearly trend Landscape condition decreased by about 0.02% per year from 2011-2021. All states had statistically significant declines except Oklahoma and Mississippi. These two states had declines that were not statistically significant. On track to meet SECAS goal No. The decline of about 0.08% every 4 years is not enough to reach the SECAS goal of a 1% increase every 4 years. Data source [National Land Cover Database (NLCD)] Confidence in trend Medium. The trend is statistically significant, but yearly weather changes can have a major impact on classification accuracy. NLCD is also not good at separating pasture from more natural grassland. That means this indicator is likely underestimating landscape condition improvements resulting from grassland restoration. Interpretation This is an indicator of landscape condition at multiple scales relevant to species and ecosystems. It looks at naturalness of land cover within 0.22 acres (one 30 m pixel), 10 acres, 100 acres, 1,000 acres, and 10,000 acres. While there are some issues with classification accuracy, the overall declines in landscape condition likely reflect ongoing issues with habitat fragmentation and alteration throughout the Southeast. The overall declines in this indicator, however, are overestimated in areas with significant grassland restoration because the indicator often misclassifies natural grasslands as pasture. Other information available A table of state-level summaries is available in Appendix I of the pdf report: [https://secassoutheast.org/pdf/SECAS-goal-report-2024.pdf].
Upland Forest Birds (SECAS Goal Trends)

Yearly trend When averaged across all points with trends, upland forest bird abundance increased by 0.98% per year from 2012-2022. Species used were cerulean warbler, Louisiana waterthrush, wood thrush, and worm-eating warbler. These species are Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need for states in the Southeast, primarily occur in this ecosystem, and have sufficient data for trend analysis in eBird Status and Trends. Trends varied across the Southeast, with the biggest declines occurring in the Central Hardwoods, Appalachians, and northeast part of the Southeast Coastal Plain Bird Conservation Regions. For two widespread species, points were mostly increasing: wood thrush (91% increasing) and Louisiana waterthrush (64% increasing). For two species with smaller ranges in the Southeast, points were mostly declining: cerulean warbler (78% declining) and worm-eating warbler (78% declining). Breeding Bird Survey trends, which cover more coarse areas, also show similar patterns. On track to meet SECAS goal Yes. The increase of about 3.92% every 4 years is greater than the SECAS goal of a 1% increase every 4 years. Data source [eBird Status and Trends] Confidence in trend Low. Less than half of the points that were increasing (38%) were statistically significant. Interpretation This is an indicator of both local and landscape conditions across the upland forest ecosystem. Upland hardwood birds benefit from conversion of historic grassland and savanna ecosystems into closed canopy forest. In areas with increases, that may mean increases in closed canopy forest overall are offsetting the negative impacts of land use changes like greater forest fragmentation. Some areas of upland forest bird decline, like Southeast Missouri, could actually be positive signs of conservation overall as these areas are restored to the more open forest types that historically occurred there. Species-specific trends also highlight how more widespread generalist species (Louisiana waterthrush, wood thrush) seem to be poised to take advantage of changing landscape conditions. More specialist and range-limited species (cerulean warbler, worm-eating warbler) seem to be less able to take advantage of these changes. Based on range-wide trends for these species, it doesn’t appear that climate change is a major driver of trends during this time period. It’s also important to note that all these species are neotropical migrants. Threats to survival during migration (e.g., communication towers) and on their wintering grounds (e.g., habitat loss) are likely also impacting population trends. Other information available A table of state-level summaries for each species, a map by Bird Conservation Region (BCR), and tabular data associated with the chart above are available in Appendix I of the pdf report: [https://secassoutheast.org/pdf/SECAS-goal-report-2024.pdf].
Forested Wetland Birds (SECAS Goal Trends)

Yearly trend When averaged across all points with trends, forest wetland bird abundance increased by 2.85% per year from 2012-2022. Species used were prothonotary warbler, Swainson's warbler, swallow-tailed kite, and yellow-throated warbler. These species are Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need for states in the Southeast, primarily occur in this ecosystem, and have sufficient data for trend analysis in eBird Status and Trends. Most points across the SECAS region were increasing. Declines were mostly in areas experiencing major impacts from sea-level rise. Individual species trends also followed this pattern. Breeding Bird Survey trends, which cover more coarse areas, also show similar patterns. On track to meet SECAS goal Yes. The increase of about 11.4% every 4 years is greater than the SECAS goal of a 1% increase every 4 years. Data source [eBird Status and Trends] Confidence in trend Medium. Most of the points (57%) that were on track for the goal were statistically significant. Interpretation This is an indicator of both local and landscape conditions across the forested wetland ecosystem. While there are some declines, especially in areas impacted by sea-level rise, overall, forested wetland birds appear to be on track to meet the SECAS goal. This may be due to the extensive conservation investments in forested wetlands, policies restricting wetland development, and growing interest from urban communities in protecting water supply and reducing flood risks. Other information available A table of state-level summaries for each species, a map by Bird Conservation Region (BCR), and tabular data associated with the chart above are available in Appendix I of the pdf report: [https://secassoutheast.org/pdf/SECAS-goal-report-2024.pdf].
Forested Wetland Area (SECAS Goal Trends)

Yearly trend Overall area of forested wetlands increased by approximately 0.08% per year from 2011-2021. That translates to gain of approximately 181,000 acres per year. Forest wetland area overall also increased for most states. On track to meet SECAS goal No. The increase of about 0.32% every 4 years is not enough to reach the SECAS goal of a 1% increase every 4 years. Data source [National Land Cover Database (NLCD)] Confidence in trend Low. The trend is not statistically significant and yearly weather changes can have a major impact on classification accuracy. Interpretation This is a coarse indicator of the overall extent of potential habitat in the forested wetland ecosystem. Extensive conservation investments in forested wetlands, policies restricting wetland development, and growing interest from urban communities in water supply protection and reducing flood risks may be causing the increases in forested wetland area. However, forested wetland area is also very sensitive to timber management decisions and yearly weather fluctuations that facilitate or hinder harvest. It is likely that many complicated interacting factors will drive changes in this indicator in the future. Other information available A table of state-level summaries is available in Appendix I of the pdf report: [https://secassoutheast.org/pdf/SECAS-goal-report-2024.pdf].
Grassland & Savanna Birds (SECAS Goal Trends)

Yearly trend When averaged across all points with trends, grassland and savanna bird abundance declined by 2.2% per year from 2012-2022.Species used were American kestrel, Bachman's sparrow, Eastern meadowlark, grasshopper sparrow, Henslow's sparrow, LeConte's sparrow, loggerhead shrike, Northern Bobwhite, prairie warbler, red-cockaded woodpecker, and scissor-tailed flycatcher. These species are Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need for states in the Southeast, primarily occur in this ecosystem, and have sufficient data for trend analysis in eBird Status and Trends. Most points across the SECAS region were declining. For most individual species, a majority of points were declining, but there were also a number of points with increases. Two species with most of their range in the longleaf pine ecosystem had a larger number of increasing points than other species: red-cockaded woodpecker (58% increasing) and Bachman’s sparrow (43% increasing). Breeding Bird Survey trends, which cover more coarse areas, also show similar patterns. On track to meet SECAS goal No. The decline of about 8.8% every 4 years is not enough to meet the SECAS goal of a 1% increase every 4 years. Data source [eBird Status and Trends] Confidence in trend Medium. Most of the points (65%) that were declining and off track for the goal were statistically significant. Interpretation This is an indicator of both local and landscape conditions across the grassland and savanna ecosystem. Large declines across most of the region highlight the major problems for this ecosystem and the species that depend on it. Signs of improvement in the longleaf range, South Florida, the Chihuahuan Desert, the West Gulf Coastal Plain, and the Appalachians show that targeted conservation attention can still have an impact. Improvements in specific species like red-cockaded woodpecker and Bachman’s sparrow also show that targeted improvements in habitat quality can make a major difference. Other information available A table of state-level summaries for each species, a map by Bird Conservation Region (BCR), and tabular data associated with the chart above are available in Appendix I of the pdf report: [https://secassoutheast.org/pdf/SECAS-goal-report-2024.pdf].
Beach Birds (SECAS Goal Trends)

Yearly trend When averaged across all points with trends, beach bird abundance decreased by 1.42% per year from 2012-2022. Species used were American oystercatcher, black skimmer, gull-billed tern, least tern, piping plover, roseate tern, snowy plover, and willet. These species are Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need for states in the Southeast, primarily occur in this ecosystem, and have sufficient data for trend analysis in eBird Status and Trends. Most points across the SECAS region were declining, with the exception of some areas with significant investment in coastal conservation. Individual species trends also followed this pattern. The only exception was breeding piping plover, where all breeding points in the SECAS region were declining. On track to meet SECAS goal No. The decline of about 5.68% every 4 years is not enough to reach the SECAS goal of a 1% increase every 4 years. Data source [eBird Status and Trends] Confidence in trend Medium. Most points that had declines (52%) were statistically significant. Interpretation This is an indicator of beach habitat quality. The mixed but mostly declining trends highlight the challenges and opportunities within this ecosystem. Habitat modification, climate change, and human disturbance continue to pose problems, but conservation action in specific areas seems to be making an impact. As these birds are migratory, conservation actions and threats impacting their populations occur both within the Southeast and in other parts of the species’ ranges. Other information available Species-specific summaries and tabular data associated with the chart above are available in Appendix I of the pdf report: [https://secassoutheast.org/pdf/SECAS-goal-report-2024.pdf].
Offshore Wind Turbine (120 m) Development Pressure

The [Geospatial Energy Mapper] (GEM) provides mapping data and analysis tools for planning energy infrastructure in a geographic context. GEM is an interactive web-based decision support system that allows users to locate areas with high suitability for clean power generation and potential energy transmission corridors in the United States. Users can browse and download data layers, or create a custom suitability model to identify areas for energy development. GEM is built on the core data and capabilities of the [Energy Zones Mapping Tool] (EZMT). GEM features an improved user interface, updated data, and additional capabilities. Argonne National Laboratory hosts the tool with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity. This model is specific to offshore wind turbines (120 m). We modified the default model parameters to remove the habitat and protected areas elements. As a result, this layer represents the threat of energy development from a utility perspective and does not consider whether development is suitable from a conservation perspective. We considered a threat-only layer to be more complementary to the Southeast Blueprint, which already depicts conservation priorities. In addition, the source data for the habitat and protected areas elements were outdated and provided inconsistent coverage across the SECAS geography. We kept the default weights for all remaining model input layers as shown in the bulleted list below. The default and customizable models are downloadable from [the GEM viewer]. These data are provided for use in combination with the Blueprint and other data available on the [SECAS Atlas]. We chose the 120 m model (rather than the 80 m or 100 m models) based on the overall trend of increasing turbine size, and the reduction in wind shear and increase in available wind speed at higher altitudes ([Department of Energy 2023]). * Bathymetry (weight = 2) * Distance (m) to Substation (>= 115kV) (weight = 1) * Distance in Meters to a Shoreline (weight = 1) * Mean Annual Wind Speed (Offshore at 120m) (weight = 5) * Navigable Waterways (weight = 2) * Unexploded Ordnance (Offshore) (weight = 1) For more information on these model parameters or to view and download this layer from its native mapper: * Visit [https://gem.anl.gov/tool] * Select "Find suitable areas" from the sidebar on the left * Choose wind technology * Choose the Land-based wind turbine (120 m) model * View/download the default model or customize as described above Please direct any questions to [gem@anl.gov].