WAFWA_MZs

The purpose of this map service is to be base data for the CED (Conservation Efforts Database https://conservationefforts.org/) public interactive map. The audience is any public user interested in context layer for the sagebrush biom. Layer’s specific metadata is available through this hosted feature service by viewing individual layer’s metadata. The sagebrush ecosystem is the largest ecosystem type in the continental U.S., providing habitat for more than 350 associated fish and wildlife species. In recognition of the need to conserve a healthy sagebrush ecosystem to provide for the long-term conservation of its inhabitants, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and United States Geological Survey (USGS) developed the Conservation Efforts Database version 2.1.0 (CED). The purpose of the CED is to efficiently capture the unprecedented level of conservation plans and actions being implemented throughout the sagebrush ecosystem and designed to capture actions not only for its most famous resident, the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage-grouse) but for the other species that rely on sagebrush habitats. Understanding the distribution and type of conservation actions happening across the landscape will allow visualization and quantification of the extent to which threats are being addressed. The spatially explicit, web-based Conservation Efforts Database is capable of (1) allowing multiple-users to enter data from different locations, (2) uploading and storing documents, (3) linking conservation actions to one or more threats (one-to-many relationships), (4) reporting functions that would allow summaries of the conservation actions at multiple scales (e.g., management zones, populations, or priority areas for conservation), and (5) accounting for actions at multiple scales from small easements to statewide planning efforts. GRSG Population Areas This data set represents greater sage-grouse populations to be used in work for the USFWS 2015 Status Review for the greater sage-grouse. Boundaries taken from BLM/WAFWA revised population boundaries (‘COT_SG_Populations_2014_WAFWA_UT’ data layer). The original data layer was slightly modified for the USFWS 2015 Status Review. Modifications include dissolving populations across State boundaries and merging several polygons together. Five additional polygons were added to the data set including four polygons in Utah and one polygon in Canada. These additional polygons were added from the original WAFWA Sage-Grouse Populations layer and covered important areas for GRSG missed in the original data set. Other modifications made to incorporate updated information and data. This data set provides population base data needed for USFWS analysis while remaining consistent with work being done by BLM and other agencies/groups. More detailed information on modifications can be found in the Supplemental Information. Sage-grouse Management Zones The Greater Sage-grouse Comprehensive Conservation Strategy developed sage-grouse management zones determined by sage-grouse populations and sub-populations identified within seven floristic provinces. Floristic provinces (identified by Connelly et al. 2004) were used to delineate Management Zones because they reflect ecological and biological issues and similarities, not political boundaries. In addition, the vegetation communities found in the floristic provinces, as well as the management challenges, within a Management Zones are similar and sage-grouse and their habitats are likely responding similarly to environmental factors and management actions.