Aerial Information Systems, Inc. (AIS) was contracted by the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission (CVCC) through a Local Assistance Grant originating from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to map and describe the essential habitats for bighorn sheep monitoring within the San Jacinto-Santa Rosa Mountains Conservation Area. This effort was completed in support of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP). The completed vegetation map is consistent with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife classification methodology and mapping standards. The mapping area covers 187,465 acres of existing and potential habitat on the northern slopes of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains ranging from near sea level to over 6000 feet in elevation. The map was prepared over a baseline digital image created in 2014 by the US Department of Agriculture '' Farm Service Agency''s National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP). Vegetation units were mapped using the National Vegetation Classification System (NVCS) to the Alliance (and in several incidences to the Association) level (See Appendix A for more detail) as described in the second edition of the Manual of California Vegetation Second Edition (Sawyer et al, 2009). The mapping effort was supported by extensive ground-based field gathering methods using CNPS rapid assessment protocol in the adjacent areas as part of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) to the north and east; and by the 2012 Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan vegetation map in the western portion of Riverside County adjacent to the west. These ground-based data have been classified and described for the abovementioned adjacent regions and resultant keys and descriptions for those efforts have been used in part for this project.For detailed information please refer to the following report: Menke, J. and D. Johnson. 2015. Vegetation Mapping '' Peninsular Bighorn Sheep Habitat. Final Vegetation Mapping Report. Prepared for the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission. Aerial Information Systems, Inc., Redlands, CA.

Aerial Information Systems, Inc. (AIS) was contracted by the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission (CVCC) through a Local Assistance Grant originating from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to map and describe the essential habitats for bighorn sheep monitoring within the San Jacinto-Santa Rosa Mountains Conservation Area. This effort was completed in support of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP). The completed vegetation map is consistent with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife classification methodology and mapping standards. The mapping area covers 187,465 acres of existing and potential habitat on the northern slopes of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains ranging from near sea level to over 6000 feet in elevation. The map was prepared over a baseline digital image created in 2014 by the US Department of Agriculture '' Farm Service Agency''s National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP). Vegetation units were mapped using the National Vegetation Classification System (NVCS) to the Alliance (and in several incidences to the Association) level (See Appendix A for more detail) as described in the second edition of the Manual of California Vegetation Second Edition (Sawyer et al, 2009). The mapping effort was supported by extensive ground-based field gathering methods using CNPS rapid assessment protocol in the adjacent areas as part of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) to the north and east; and by the 2012 Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan vegetation map in the western portion of Riverside County adjacent to the west. These ground-based data have been classified and described for the abovementioned adjacent regions and resultant keys and descriptions for those efforts have been used in part for this project.For detailed information please refer to the following report: Menke, J. and D. Johnson. 2015. Vegetation Mapping '' Peninsular Bighorn Sheep Habitat. Final Vegetation Mapping Report. Prepared for the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission. Aerial Information Systems, Inc., Redlands, CA.

Vector datasets of CWHR range maps are one component of California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR), a comprehensive information system and predictive model for Californias wildlife. The CWHR System was developed to support habitat conservation and management, land use planning, impact assessment, education, and research involving terrestrial vertebrates in California. CWHR contains information on life history, management status, geographic distribution, and habitat relationships for wildlife species known to occur regularly in California. Range maps represent the maximum, current geographic extent of each species within California. They were originally delineated at a scale of 1:5,000,000 by species-level experts and have gradually been revised at a scale of 1:1,000,000. For more information about CWHR, visit the CWHR webpage (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR). The webpage provides links to download CWHR data and user documents such as a look up table of available range maps including species code, species name, and range map revision history; a full set of CWHR GIS data; .pdf files of each range map or species life history accounts; and a User Guide.

Vector datasets of CWHR range maps are one component of California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR), a comprehensive information system and predictive model for Californias wildlife. The CWHR System was developed to support habitat conservation and management, land use planning, impact assessment, education, and research involving terrestrial vertebrates in California. CWHR contains information on life history, management status, geographic distribution, and habitat relationships for wildlife species known to occur regularly in California. Range maps represent the maximum, current geographic extent of each species within California. They were originally delineated at a scale of 1:5,000,000 by species-level experts and have gradually been revised at a scale of 1:1,000,000. For more information about CWHR, visit the CWHR webpage (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR). The webpage provides links to download CWHR data and user documents such as a look up table of available range maps including species code, species name, and range map revision history; a full set of CWHR GIS data; .pdf files of each range map or species life history accounts; and a User Guide.

Hunting Zone Boundaries for Bighorn Sheep See: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/Bighorn/ for details about the Bighorn Sheep Management Program NOTE: Hunt boundary shown is an approximation. Hunters are responsible for knowing the exact boundary locations as described within Section 362, Title 14, Calif. Code of Regs

Hunting Zone Boundaries for Bighorn Sheep See: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/Bighorn/ for details about the Bighorn Sheep Management Program NOTE: Hunt boundary shown is an approximation. Hunters are responsible for knowing the exact boundary locations as described within Section 362, Title 14, Calif. Code of Regs

The datasets used in the creation of the predicted Habitat Suitability models includes the CWHR range maps of Californias regularly-occurring vertebrates which were digitized as GIS layers to support the predictions of the CWHR System software. These vector datasets of CWHR range maps are one component of California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR), a comprehensive information system and predictive model for Californias wildlife. The CWHR System was developed to support habitat conservation and management, land use planning, impact assessment, education, and research involving terrestrial vertebrates in California. CWHR contains information on life history, management status, geographic distribution, and habitat relationships for wildlife species known to occur regularly in California. Range maps represent the maximum, current geographic extent of each species within California. They were originally delineated at a scale of 1:5,000,000 by species-level experts and have gradually been revised at a scale of 1:1,000,000. For more information about CWHR, visit the CWHR webpage (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR). The webpage provides links to download CWHR data and user documents such as a look up table of available range maps including species code, species name, and range map revision history; a full set of CWHR GIS data; .pdf files of each range map or species life history accounts; and a User Guide.The models also used the CALFIRE-FRAP compiled "best available" land cover data known as Fveg. This compilation dataset was created as a single data layer, to support the various analyses required for the Forest and Rangeland Assessment, a legislatively mandated function. These data are being updated to support on-going analyses and to prepare for the next FRAP assessment in 2015. An accurate depiction of the spatial distribution of habitat types within California is required for a variety of legislatively-mandated government functions. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protections CALFIRE Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP), in cooperation with California Department of Fish and Wildlife VegCamp program and extensive use of USDA Forest Service Region 5 Remote Sensing Laboratory (RSL) data, has compiled the "best available" land cover data available for California into a single comprehensive statewide data set. The data span a period from approximately 1990 to 2014. Typically the most current, detailed and consistent data were collected for various regions of the state. Decision rules were developed that controlled which layers were given priority in areas of overlap. Cross-walks were used to compile the various sources into the common classification scheme, the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR) system.CWHR range data was used together with the FVEG vegetation maps and CWHR habitat suitability ranks to create Predicted Habitat Suitability maps for species. The Predicted Habitat Suitability maps show the mean habitat suitability score for the species, as defined in CWHR. CWHR defines habitat suitability as NO SUITABILITY (0), LOW (0.33), MEDIUM (0.66), or HIGH (1) for reproduction, cover, and feeding for each species in each habitat stage (habitat type, size, and density combination). The mean is the average of the reproduction, cover, and feeding scores, and can be interpreted as LOW (less than 0.34), MEDIUM (0.34-0.66), and HIGH (greater than 0.66) suitability. Note that habitat suitability ranks were developed based on habitat patch sizes >40 acres in size, and are best interpreted for habitat patches >200 acres in size. The CWHR Predicted Habitat Suitability rasters are named according to the 4 digit alpha-numeric species CWHR ID code. The CWHR Species Lookup Table contains a record for each species including its CWHR ID, scientific name, common name, and range map revision history (available for download at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR).

The datasets used in the creation of the predicted Habitat Suitability models includes the CWHR range maps of Californias regularly-occurring vertebrates which were digitized as GIS layers to support the predictions of the CWHR System software. These vector datasets of CWHR range maps are one component of California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR), a comprehensive information system and predictive model for Californias wildlife. The CWHR System was developed to support habitat conservation and management, land use planning, impact assessment, education, and research involving terrestrial vertebrates in California. CWHR contains information on life history, management status, geographic distribution, and habitat relationships for wildlife species known to occur regularly in California. Range maps represent the maximum, current geographic extent of each species within California. They were originally delineated at a scale of 1:5,000,000 by species-level experts and have gradually been revised at a scale of 1:1,000,000. For more information about CWHR, visit the CWHR webpage (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR). The webpage provides links to download CWHR data and user documents such as a look up table of available range maps including species code, species name, and range map revision history; a full set of CWHR GIS data; .pdf files of each range map or species life history accounts; and a User Guide.The models also used the CALFIRE-FRAP compiled "best available" land cover data known as Fveg. This compilation dataset was created as a single data layer, to support the various analyses required for the Forest and Rangeland Assessment, a legislatively mandated function. These data are being updated to support on-going analyses and to prepare for the next FRAP assessment in 2015. An accurate depiction of the spatial distribution of habitat types within California is required for a variety of legislatively-mandated government functions. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protections CALFIRE Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP), in cooperation with California Department of Fish and Wildlife VegCamp program and extensive use of USDA Forest Service Region 5 Remote Sensing Laboratory (RSL) data, has compiled the "best available" land cover data available for California into a single comprehensive statewide data set. The data span a period from approximately 1990 to 2014. Typically the most current, detailed and consistent data were collected for various regions of the state. Decision rules were developed that controlled which layers were given priority in areas of overlap. Cross-walks were used to compile the various sources into the common classification scheme, the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR) system.CWHR range data was used together with the FVEG vegetation maps and CWHR habitat suitability ranks to create Predicted Habitat Suitability maps for species. The Predicted Habitat Suitability maps show the mean habitat suitability score for the species, as defined in CWHR. CWHR defines habitat suitability as NO SUITABILITY (0), LOW (0.33), MEDIUM (0.66), or HIGH (1) for reproduction, cover, and feeding for each species in each habitat stage (habitat type, size, and density combination). The mean is the average of the reproduction, cover, and feeding scores, and can be interpreted as LOW (less than 0.34), MEDIUM (0.34-0.66), and HIGH (greater than 0.66) suitability. Note that habitat suitability ranks were developed based on habitat patch sizes >40 acres in size, and are best interpreted for habitat patches >200 acres in size. The CWHR Predicted Habitat Suitability rasters are named according to the 4 digit alpha-numeric species CWHR ID code. The CWHR Species Lookup Table contains a record for each species including its CWHR ID, scientific name, common name, and range map revision history (available for download at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR).

The datasets used in the creation of the predicted Habitat Suitability models includes the CWHR range maps of Californias regularly-occurring vertebrates which were digitized as GIS layers to support the predictions of the CWHR System software. These vector datasets of CWHR range maps are one component of California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR), a comprehensive information system and predictive model for Californias wildlife. The CWHR System was developed to support habitat conservation and management, land use planning, impact assessment, education, and research involving terrestrial vertebrates in California. CWHR contains information on life history, management status, geographic distribution, and habitat relationships for wildlife species known to occur regularly in California. Range maps represent the maximum, current geographic extent of each species within California. They were originally delineated at a scale of 1:5,000,000 by species-level experts and have gradually been revised at a scale of 1:1,000,000. For more information about CWHR, visit the CWHR webpage (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR). The webpage provides links to download CWHR data and user documents such as a look up table of available range maps including species code, species name, and range map revision history; a full set of CWHR GIS data; .pdf files of each range map or species life history accounts; and a User Guide.The models also used the CALFIRE-FRAP compiled "best available" land cover data known as Fveg. This compilation dataset was created as a single data layer, to support the various analyses required for the Forest and Rangeland Assessment, a legislatively mandated function. These data are being updated to support on-going analyses and to prepare for the next FRAP assessment in 2015. An accurate depiction of the spatial distribution of habitat types within California is required for a variety of legislatively-mandated government functions. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protections CALFIRE Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP), in cooperation with California Department of Fish and Wildlife VegCamp program and extensive use of USDA Forest Service Region 5 Remote Sensing Laboratory (RSL) data, has compiled the "best available" land cover data available for California into a single comprehensive statewide data set. The data span a period from approximately 1990 to 2014. Typically the most current, detailed and consistent data were collected for various regions of the state. Decision rules were developed that controlled which layers were given priority in areas of overlap. Cross-walks were used to compile the various sources into the common classification scheme, the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR) system.CWHR range data was used together with the FVEG vegetation maps and CWHR habitat suitability ranks to create Predicted Habitat Suitability maps for species. The Predicted Habitat Suitability maps show the mean habitat suitability score for the species, as defined in CWHR. CWHR defines habitat suitability as NO SUITABILITY (0), LOW (0.33), MEDIUM (0.66), or HIGH (1) for reproduction, cover, and feeding for each species in each habitat stage (habitat type, size, and density combination). The mean is the average of the reproduction, cover, and feeding scores, and can be interpreted as LOW (less than 0.34), MEDIUM (0.34-0.66), and HIGH (greater than 0.66) suitability. Note that habitat suitability ranks were developed based on habitat patch sizes >40 acres in size, and are best interpreted for habitat patches >200 acres in size. The CWHR Predicted Habitat Suitability rasters are named according to the 4 digit alpha-numeric species CWHR ID code. The CWHR Species Lookup Table contains a record for each species including its CWHR ID, scientific name, common name, and range map revision history (available for download at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR).

This data collection is associated with the project: “Status and Trends of Deciduous Communities in the Bighorn Mountains”. It contains the project study area, model evaluation data, model input data, and model output data in the form of probability of occurrence rasters for deciduous and coniferous species, as well as a synthesis map. The aim of the study is to assess the current trends of deciduous communities in the Bighorn National Forest in north-central Wyoming. The data here represents phase I of the project, completed in FY2017. The USGS created a synthesis map of coniferous and deciduous communities in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming using a species distribution modeling approach developed in the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) (Assal et al. 2015). The modeling framework utilized a number of topographic covariates and temporal remote sensing data from the early, mid and late growing season to capitalize on phenological differences in vegetation types. We used the program RandomForest in the R statistical program to generate probability of occurrence models for deciduous and coniferous vegetation. The binary maps were combined into a synthesis map using the procedure from Assal et al. 2015. In Phase II of this project (to be completed in FY2018 and 2019), the USGS will conduct a preliminary assessment on the baseline condition of riparian deciduous communities. This will be a proof-of-concept study where the USGS will apply a framework used in prior research in upland aspen and sagebrush communities to detect trends in riparian vegetation condition from the mid-1980s to present. Literature Cited Assal et al. 2015: https://doi.org/10.1080/2150704X.2015.1072289