Digital Range Maps for 606 Terrestrial Vertebrates of the
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Digital Range Maps for 606 Terrestrial Vertebrates of the Southeastern United States INTRODUCTION Biological Resources USGS USGS science for a changing world The Southeast Gap Analysis Project (SE-GAP) has developed digital polygon range maps for 606 terrestrial vertebrates that regularly breed within the region (see Figure 1), as well as wintering ranges for 28 bird species and 3 mammalian species. Currently, few if any, maps exist in a digital format and those that do tend to be generalized delineations (i.e. low spatial resolution) that can vary widely (Figures 1 & 2). The focus of the SE-GAP effort has been to provide more detailed species' range maps that will serve two purposes: • As a stand-alone product useful for the conservation community at-large • As a model delimiter for GAP predicted vertebrate distribution models Figure 1. NatureServe digital distribution map for the Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis). Matthew J. Rubino 1 , Amy L. Silvano 2 , Matthew E. Elliott 3 § 1 Biodiversity and Spatial Information Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. 2 Alabama Gap Analysis Project, Auburn University, Auburn, AL. 3 Natural Resources Spatial Analysis Lab, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. § current address: GA Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle, GA. Figure 2. Compiled individual state GAP hexagon ranges for the Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis). Predicted Confirmed Possible METHODS and DATA A variety of sources were used to develop species' range maps. These sources consisted of information in two broad categories: • Species location records and range maps available in a number of formats (Table 1) • Digital spatial data of environmental parameters (Table 2) Table 1. Examples of species distribution data sources and their available formats utilized during SE-GAP digital species range map development Table 2. Environmental data layers utilized during SE-GAP digital species range map development Data Source Formats Digital Print Web- based Written Documentation Personal Communication Breeding bird atlases Breeding bird atlases Breeding bird atlases Taxonomically specific publications Conversations with biologists and taxonomic experts NatureServe Taxonomically specific publications Birds of North America Primary literature State GAP hexagon ranges Primary literature State Natural Heritage Programs Individual research projects State Natural Heritage Programs Individual research projects State and federal inventory programs Field guides State and federal inventory programs USFWS Endangered species recovery plans Individual research projects Field guides Data Layer Source Resolution or Scale Ecoregions EPA Omernik Level III & Level IV Ecoregions 1:100,000 & 1:24,000 Elevation USGS National Elevation Dataset Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) 30 m grid cells Geology Individual State Resource Agencies 1:100,000 – 1:500,00 Salinity NOAA 3-Zone Average Annual Salinity Digital Geography ? (~1:250,000) Soils Natural Resources Conservation Service Soils State Soil Geographic database (STATSGO) & Soil Survey Geographic database (SSURGO) 1:100,000 & 1:24,000 Streams & Waterbodies USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) 1:100,000 & 1:24,000 Watershed Boundaries USGS 8-Digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) Boundaries 1:100,000 & 1:24,000 Figure 3. Use of 8-Digit HUCs to delineate range for the Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata) METHODS and DATA Digital data sources were used explicitly within GIS during digitization of polygons (Figures 3 & 4). Up-to-date published sources were consulted when available (Figrure 5). Web-based sources are becoming increasingly available and are often the most recent information on species' occurrences (Figures 6 & 7). Figure 4. Use of point data to delineate range for the Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii). Points outside polygon range are >20 years old or migratory records. SE-GAP has created detailed digital range maps for southeastern terrestrial vertebrates by compiling the most recent information available regarding species' occurrences and limiting environmental parameters that affect species' distributions (Figure 8). This is likely one of the most comprehensive dataset for species ranges available digitally. The data are currently in draft format awaiting input by expert reviewers. After finalization, the products should benefit researchers, planners, and managers alike, as well as serving the end goals of Gap Analysis in the Southeast. RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS Figure 5. Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) range Nest locations map from literature source (Rabon et al. 2003). REFERENCES NC NHP Point Data GA Breeding Bird Atlas Blocks KY Breeding Bird Atlas Blocks Willow Flycatcher Range HUC Boundaries Western Chorus Frog Range Blackburn, Laura M., Priya Nanjappa, and Michael J. Lannoo. 2002. US Amphibians Distribution Maps. Ball State University and Muncie Center for Medical Education, Indiana University School of Medicine, Muncie, Indiana. Online at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/armiatlas/ Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 2003, January 6. Florida's breeding bird atlas: A collaborative study of Florida's birdlife. http://www.myfwc.com/bba/ (Date accessed 12/2/2005). Parsons, K. C., and T. L. Master. 2000. Snowy Egret (Egretta thula). In The Birds of North America, No. 489 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. Rabon, D.R, S.A. Johnson, R. Boettcher, M. Dodd, M. Lyons, S. Murphy, S. Ramsey, S. Roff and K. Stewart. 2003. Confirmed leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) nests from North Carolina, with a summary of leatherback nesting activities north of Florida. Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 10 101, 2003. Note: Breeding bird atlas data for VA and TN were consulted in print format. Figure 6. ARMI Atlas range for Chamberlain's Dwarf Salamander (Eurycea chamberlani) (Blackburn et al. 2002). Figure 7. Birds of North America and Florida Breeding Bird Atlas ranges for Snowy Egret (Egretta thula). (Parsons and Master 2000, FL FWCC 2003). Figure 8. SE-GAP range for Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) showing the incorporation of NatureServe and GAP hexagon ranges. Note: FL BBA was used to eliminate the FL Keys from the Snowy Egret's range, which is difficult to discern using Birds of North America range map. Note: Each state GAP project produced hexagon ranges. SE-GAP compiled these data which were created over the last 10 years using a variety of methodologies. Southeast GAP Boundary Southeast States Breeding Distribution Nonbreeding Resident GAP Hexagon Range for the Black Rail NatureServe Range for the Black Rail SE-GAP Range for the Black Rail
Transcript of Digital Range Maps for 606 Terrestrial Vertebrates of the
Digital Range Maps for 606 Terrestrial Vertebrates of the Southeastern United States
INTRODUCTION
Biological ResourcesUSGSUSGS
science for a changing world
The Southeast Gap Analysis Project (SE-GAP) has developed digital polygon rangemaps for 606 terrestrial vertebrates that regularly breed within the region (see Figure 1),as well as wintering ranges for 28 bird species and 3 mammalian species. Currently,few if any, maps exist in a digital format and those that do tend to be generalizeddelineations (i.e. low spatial resolution) that can vary widely (Figures 1 & 2). The focusof the SE-GAP effort has been to provide more detailed species' range maps that willserve two purposes:• As a stand-alone product useful for the conservation community at-large• As a model delimiter for GAP predicted vertebrate distribution modelsFigure 1. NatureServe digital distribution map forthe Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis).
Matthew J. Rubino1, Amy L. Silvano2, Matthew E. Elliott3 §1 Biodiversity and Spatial Information Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. 2 Alabama Gap Analysis Project, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.3 Natural Resources Spatial Analysis Lab, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. § current address: GA Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle, GA.
Figure 2. Compiled individual state GAP hexagonranges for the Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis).
PredictedConfirmed
Possible
METHODS and DATAA variety of sources were used to develop species' range maps. These sourcesconsisted of information in two broad categories:• Species location records and range maps available in a number of formats (Table 1)• Digital spatial data of environmental parameters (Table 2)
Table 1. Examples of species distribution data sources andtheir available formats utilized during SE-GAP digital speciesrange map development Table 2. Environmental data layers utilized during SE-GAP digital
species range map developmentData Source Formats Digital Print Web-
based Written
Documentation Personal
Communication Breeding bird atlases
Breeding bird atlases
Breeding bird atlases
Taxonomically specific publications
Conversations with biologists and taxonomic experts
NatureServe Taxonomically specific publications
Birds of North America
Primary literature
State GAP hexagon ranges
Primary literature
State Natural Heritage Programs
Individual research projects
State Natural Heritage Programs
Individual research projects
State and federal inventory programs
Field guides
State and federal inventory programs
USFWS Endangered species recovery plans
Individual research projects
Field guides
Data Layer Source Resolution or Scale
Ecoregions EPA Omernik Level III & Level IV Ecoregions 1:100,000 & 1:24,000
Elevation USGS National Elevation Dataset Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) 30 m grid cells
Geology Individual State Resource Agencies 1:100,000 – 1:500,00
Salinity NOAA 3-Zone Average Annual Salinity Digital Geography
? (~1:250,000)
Soils Natural Resources Conservation Service Soils State Soil Geographic database (STATSGO) & Soil Survey Geographic database (SSURGO)
1:100,000 & 1:24,000
Streams & Waterbodies USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) 1:100,000 &
1:24,000
Watershed Boundaries
USGS 8-Digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) Boundaries
1:100,000 & 1:24,000
Figure 3. Use of 8-Digit HUCs to delineate range forthe Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata)
METHODS and DATADigital data sources were used explicitly within GIS during digitization of polygons (Figures 3 & 4). Up-to-date published sources were consulted whenavailable (Figrure 5). Web-based sources are becoming increasingly available and are often the most recent information on species' occurrences (Figures 6 & 7).
Figure 4. Use of point data to delineate range for theWillow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii). Points outsidepolygon range are >20 years old or migratory records.
SE-GAP has created detailed digitalrange maps for southeastern terrestrialvertebrates by compiling the mostrecent information available regardingspecies' occurrences and limitingenvironmental parameters that affectspecies' distributions (Figure 8). Thisis likely one of the most comprehensivedataset for species ranges availabledigitally. The data are currently in draftformat awaiting input by expert reviewers.After finalization, the products shouldbenefit researchers, planners, andmanagers alike, as well as serving theend goals of Gap Analysis in the Southeast.
RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS
Figure 5. Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) rangeNest locations map from literature source (Rabon et al. 2003).
REFERENCES
NC NHP Point DataGA Breeding Bird Atlas BlocksKY Breeding Bird Atlas BlocksWillow Flycatcher Range
HUC BoundariesWestern Chorus Frog Range
Blackburn, Laura M., Priya Nanjappa, and Michael J. Lannoo. 2002. US Amphibians Distribution Maps. Ball State University and Muncie Center forMedical Education, Indiana University School of Medicine, Muncie, Indiana. Online at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/armiatlas/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 2003, January 6. Florida's breeding bird atlas: A collaborative study of Florida's birdlife.http://www.myfwc.com/bba/ (Date accessed 12/2/2005).Parsons, K. C., and T. L. Master. 2000. Snowy Egret (Egretta thula). In The Birds of North America, No. 489 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). TheBirds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.Rabon, D.R, S.A. Johnson, R. Boettcher, M. Dodd, M. Lyons, S. Murphy, S. Ramsey, S. Roff and K. Stewart. 2003. Confirmed leatherback turtle(Dermochelys coriacea) nests from North Carolina, with a summary of leatherback nesting activities north of Florida. Marine Turtle Newsletter No.10 101, 2003.
Note: Breeding bird atlas datafor VA and TN were consultedin print format.
Figure 6. ARMI Atlas range forChamberlain's Dwarf Salamander(Eurycea chamberlani)(Blackburn et al. 2002).
Figure 7. Birds of North America and Florida BreedingBird Atlas ranges for Snowy Egret (Egretta thula).(Parsons and Master 2000, FL FWCC 2003).
Figure 8. SE-GAP range for Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) showingthe incorporation of NatureServe and GAP hexagon ranges.
Note: FL BBA was used to eliminate the FL Keys from theSnowy Egret's range, which is difficult to discern usingBirds of North America range map.
Note: Each state GAPproject producedhexagon ranges.SE-GAP compiledthese data whichwere created over thelast 10 years using avariety of methodologies.
Southeast GAP BoundarySoutheast StatesBreeding DistributionNonbreeding Resident
GAP Hexagon Range for the Black Rail
NatureServe Range for the Black Rail
SE-GAP Range for the Black Rail
