The project is the combination of two pilot projects initiated and funded by the Western Governors' Association (WGA) for development of a Decision Support System (DSS). The project will establish a useful and consistent source of mapped biological information that decision makers and the public can use to identify and understand crucial wildlife habitats and corridors.
Objectives:
Phase I
- Develop and compile natural resource spatial data that is compatible across the fourstate project area.
- Complete a connectivity/linkage plan for the project area to implement in Phase 2.
Select a transboundary subset of species and habitats for Beaverhead Mountains section and Arid Lands project area. - Define a transboundary compatible model of unfragmented habitats for Beaverhead Mountains section and Arid Lands project area.
- Complete a climate change plan identifying steps, data and outcomes to incorporate results of Pacific Northwest Climate Change Vulnerability and Water Resources in a Changing Climate assessments into the draft DSS.
- Collect technical and public input to assist in development of the DSS.
Phase 2
- Compatible datasets for all transboundary species of greatest conservation need and those that are socially and economically important for the entire project area
- Transboundary categorization of crucial habitat areas, including wildlife linkage
- Draft a list of best practices and management recommendations for corridors and crucial habitats
- Incorporate spatial representations of climate change impacts and develop recommended management actions for reducing and adapting to climate change for fish and wildlife
- Devise a web interface to deploy the draft DSS based on public and technical input
Deliverables (due date):
Phase I (5/11)
- An inventory of GIS data for all applicable fish, wildlife, and plant occurrence and modeling data
- A connectivity/linkage plan to produce a connectivity data layer for the project area in Phase 2
- A transboundary compatible subset of focal species and land cover types for Beaverhead Mountains section and Arid Lands area
- A transboundary compatible layer defining unfragmented habitats for Beaverhead Mountains section and the Arid Lands area
- A climate change plan outlining steps and data necessary to produce a climate change assessment, data layers, adaptive management plan and management actions for the draft DSS
- Summary of technical and public input on DSS development
Phase 2 (5/12):
- Transboundary compatible datasets for all species of greatest conservation need and socially and commercially important species and habitats within the project area
- Transboundary categorization of habitats; including wildlife linkage and crucial areas
- Definitions, protocols, scales, and ranking models associated with project area
- Draft of best practices and management recommendations for project area
- Spatial representations of climate change impacts to wildlife and recommended management actions for reducing and adapting to climate change
- A summary of public and technical input related to project efforts and a final report
- A beta version of a mapping service and web page through which it can be deployed
Affiliation:
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Fiscal Year:
2010
Project Lead:
Servheen, Gregg
Funding Allocation:
$135,000