Name: BLM National GRSG Existing Sagebrush 2013 Update
Display Field:
Type: Raster Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: Developed to support the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) Monitoring Framework, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Existing Sagebrush 2013 update data layer is a binary raster principally comprised of pixels representing 18 ecological systems which were determined to have the capability of supporting sagebrush vegetation while also providing suitable seasonal habitat for GRSG. Sagebrush vegetation was defined as sagebrush species or subspecies that provide habitat for GRSG and are also included in the Sage-Grouse Habitat Assessment Framework (Stiver et al. 2014). The resultant data layer was derived from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) LANDFIRE Version 1.2 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) thematic raster data product (http://www.landfire.gov). EVT is composed of vegetation map units based upon NatureServe’s terrestrial ecological systems classification, which is a nationally consistent set of mid-scale ecological units (Comer et al., 2003). LANDFIRE maps EVTs using decision tree models, field reference data, Landsat imagery, digital elevation model (DEM) data, and biophysical gradient data. After recoding the original LANDFIRE EVT product to a preliminary existing sagebrush binary raster, additional habitat (i.e., sagebrush vegetation pixels) was subsequently removed to account for selective anthropogenic and ecological disturbances (e.g., agricultural expansion, urbanization, wildfire, and conifer encroachment). A description of each habitat removal mask is provided in the Data Quality section of this metadata record.
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Copyright Text: Processed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Operations Center (NOC), OC-534.