The riparian data was also recently used to develop a habitat suitability model for the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse, a Federal Threatened species. The riparian data was combined with an occurrence database and through the use of logistic regression techniques a habitat suitability model was developed. The model indicated that the presence of Preble's was strongly associated with the presence of riparian shrub and with distance to riparian shrub. This model has been used in a predictive fashion to prioritize survey efforts and for protection of habitat through the various Section 7 and Habitat Conservation Planning processes being undertaken along the Front Range. As individual topographic quads are mapped and larger more complete blocks of riparian data developed the data has also been used for county land use planning purposes in the designation of Significant Wildlife Habitat.
Riparian areas are also highly susceptible to development pressure.
For these reasons it is important that riparian areas receive special consideration through the development review process. These folks along with myself as Riparian Coordinator are responsible for organizing and coordinating various mapping projects within their respective regions and for preparing the data for posting on the FTP site. The primary funding for the Colorado Riparian Vegetation Mapping Project is received from Great Outdoors Colorado. Those funds support the mapping of approximately 60 Quads per year. With only about 25 percent of the 1800 Quads covering Colorado completed this represents a rather daunting task.