Predicted habitat suitability model (also known as a species distribution model) for the Mojave Ground Squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis) in 5 counties (Inyo, Kern, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles), in California. This model was generated using a maximum entropy (MaxEnt, v3.3.3e) approach. This layer is a probability distribution of 'suitable habitat', where values range from 0 (very low probability of species occurrence) to 1 (very high probability of species occurrence). As with any model, prudence should be taken when evaluating model predictions or when applying the predictions to real world assessments of habitat. The logistic output values were rescaled to include the set [0,1] by subtracting the minimum value and dividing [...]
Summary
Predicted habitat suitability model (also known as a species distribution model) for the Mojave Ground Squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis) in 5 counties (Inyo, Kern, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles), in California. This model was generated using a maximum entropy (MaxEnt, v3.3.3e) approach. This layer is a probability distribution of 'suitable habitat', where values range from 0 (very low probability of species occurrence) to 1 (very high probability of species occurrence). As with any model, prudence should be taken when evaluating model predictions or when applying the predictions to real world assessments of habitat. The logistic output values were rescaled to include the set [0,1] by subtracting the minimum value and dividing by the difference between the minimum and maximum values.
Observation records for the targeted species were derived from a conglomerate of local sources, and are provided electronically along with this model. The model was based on 440 input localities derived from 629 observations of Mojave Ground Squirrel. Predicted values were obtained from 100 bootstrap replicates. Modeling was conducted at a scale of 1 km (raster cell size = 1000 m).
This model used 4 environmental variables, which are given below along with heuristic estimates from Maxent of each variable's contribution in parentheses: surface texture (46.6%), summer albedo (25.4%), winter precipitation (16.3%), and winter climatic water deficit (11.6%)
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Historic Habitat and Envrionmental Variables.lpk
2.23 MB
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MGS_Historic.zip
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MGS_Historic.sd
3.35 MB
Purpose
Habitat suitability model for the Mojave Ground Squirrel conducted on behalf of the California Energy Commission by the United States Geological Survey, Western Research Ecological Center, Las Vegas Field Station as a project through the California Energy Commission (Contract reference: CEC Agreement 50010027)
Rights
All data contained in this electronic file are considered both sensitive and confidential by the California Energy Commission and are to be withheld from public release pursuant to authority granted within section 207 of the Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Act (Public Resources Code 25000 et seq.). Actual location data from this file cannot be represented in any mapping product, either electronic or printed, that will be released to the public. These data cannot be transferred to any party outside of the federal government without the express written consent of the California Energy Commission.