CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE'S TERRESTRIAL CONNECTIVITY DATASET: OVERVIEW AND UPDATES

Michael A Hardy; California Department of Fish & Wildlife; michael.hardy@wildlife.ca.gov; Melanie Gogol-Prokurat

Habitat connectivity, which provides pathways for organisms to move across the landscape to find resources, reproductive opportunities, and quality habitat, is critical for maintaining viable populations of wildlife species, particularly in the face of anthropogenic pressures and a changing climate.  The California landscape is becoming increasingly fragmented due to urbanization and climate change, resulting in barriers to wildlife movement. In recent years, increased interest in a systematic approach to restoring, maintaining, and enhancing habitat connectivity for wildlife has emerged.  The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Areas of Conservation Empasis (ACE) is a suite of geospatial data products that provide information on biodiversity, habitat connectivity, and climate resiliency. The ACE Terrestrial Connectivity dataset is a compilation of statewide and regional habitat linkage data into one statewide connectivity map. This dataset is used by scientists and decision-makers to inform how to best conserve habitat connectivity. Here we describe recent updates to the dataset, including efforts made to enhance interaction and interpretation of the dataset within CDFW’s online Biogeographic Information and Observation System (BIOS), and outline plans for future updates.

Poster Session