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Western Governors' Association Large Intact Blocks [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]

Wildlife Department of Fish and Wildlife · 2023 Full Details

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Title
Western Governors' Association Large Intact Blocks [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]
Description
The Large Intact Blocks (LIB) dataset was calculated from the NatureServe Landscape Condition model as a way to identify large areas that were relatively intact or had low levels of anthropogenic impacts. Large Intact Blocks (LIBs) were derived directly from the landscape Condition scores similar to the methods used by the Washington Habitat Connectivity Working Group, as implemented in the Habitat Core Area tool (WHCWG 2010). The landscape was divided into 5 major ecodivison groups to account for major landscape Condition differences across the western United States (Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Warm desert, Intermountain Basin, and Pacific Coast) The Landscape Condition Quality Threshold (LCQT), or the minimum LC value that was considered to be high enough quality to be considered a core "block" or patch was identified for each sub region. The LCQT was determined using the footprint of the areas identified in the Protected Areas Database (PAD) that had a Gap status 1-3. The threshold value was the LC value that represented the top 80% of the LC values within the PAD. The LC data was smoothed using a 1,000 ha moving window, then areas within each ecodivision were analyzed against their unique LCQT value and groups of pixels above that threshold and greater than the 1,000 ha minimum size threshold were identified as Large Intact Blocks (LIBs). Each LIB was then binned into three levels of importance, based on relative level of intactness in its ecodivision (3 quantiles based on mean LC value) and its total area (1,000 - 10,000 ha, 10,000 - 50,000 ha, and 50,000+ ha). LIBs with the highest third of mean LC values regardless of size were ranked as level 1. LIBs that were 10,00-50,000 ha in size that were not classified as Level 1 were classified as Level 3 importance. All remaining LIBs were classified as Level 2 importance. This data layer is one of three that were produced to support the WGA Wildlife Council Landscape Integrity Working Group. The intent of these work products are to provide individual states with information on current landscape condition, significant large intact blocks and important connectivity zones mapped across the state and regional boundaries. These data may or may not be used by each state in the development of a state's final crucial habitat map. States may choose to supplement or replace the work group data with other data sources that may be available only for their state (and neighboring states). The final crucial habitat maps are not expected to be published until fall of 2013, and data the states use of these data in creating their crucial habitat maps may change. As potential users of these data you are encouraged to talk with each state to further identify any additional concerns a state may have or updated data layers that are produced subsequent to the publication date of these layers. For more information see LIB_methods.pdf and WGA Landscape Integrity Workgroup Recommendations, unpublished reports to WGA Wildlife Council State Technical Team dated 02/12/2013.
Creator
Wildlife Department of Fish and Wildlife
Temporal Coverage
Last Modified: 2023-06-23
Date Issued
2023-06-23
Rights
None. Please check for revisions. Although these data and information have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USFWS, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data and information on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Inherent in any data set used to develop graphical representations are limitations of accuracy as determined by, among others, the source, scale and resolution of the data. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and information, and aggregate use with other data and information. It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with this data and information, and aggregate use with other data and information. The USFWS is not liable for the user’s improper or incorrect use of the data and information described and/or contained herein. These data and any derived products are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such. The information contained in these data may be dynamic and could change over time. The data are not better than the original sources from which they are derived. It is the responsibility of the data user to use the data appropriately and consistent with the limitations of geospatial data in general and these data in particular. It is strongly recommended that the data described or contained herein be acquired directly from an authorized USFWS source and not indirectly through some other sources which may have changed the data in some way. The USFWS is not liable for data or information that indirectly acquired through other sources.
Access Rights
Public
Format
ArcGIS FeatureLayer
Language
English
Date Added
August 10, 2025
Provenance Statement
The metadata for this resource was last retrieved from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Open Data on 2025-08-24.

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Cite and Reference

  • Citation
    Wildlife Department of Fish and Wildlife (2023). Western Governors' Association Large Intact Blocks [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]. . https://gis-fws.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/fws::western-governors-association-large-intact-blocks-1 (web service)
  • BTAA Geoportal Link

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