Datasets for: Habitat Suitability Modeling for the Houston Toad

Datasets were provided to the Austin Ecological Services Field Office. Links are provided to the habitat suitability final report, and related article in the related identifiers of this metadata.

Houston Toad Habitat Suitability Models – 2025

Summary
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This dataset collection includes raster-based habitat suitability models for the endangered Houston Toad (Anaxyrus [Bufo] houstonensis), developed to support conservation planning and ecological research across its range in Texas. The primary ensemble model was built using 14 geologic, vegetation, and climate variables at a 0.8 sq. km resolution. Variables with the highest importance included deep sand (60–100 cm), average March temperature (1970–2000), and forest cover. This model is recommended for landscape-scale conservation and mitigation decision-making.

Scale: 0 (not habitat) to 1 (highly suitable habitat)
Reference: Walkup et al. 2025; Bowers et al. 2024 (See related identifiers)
More info: https://www.fws.gov/species/houston-toad-bufo-houstonensis

Model 1 – Occurrence-Informed Presence Prediction
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This raster model estimates the likelihood of Houston Toad presence at a 30 m resolution. It restricts predictions to geologic formation patches with known occurrence records, assigning zero probability to areas outside these formations. Soil and geology were combined into a substrate score, and tree canopy cover was weighted evenly with substrate scores.

Recommended Use: Identifying areas within the Houston Toad’s range for targeted conservation or preservation.

Scale:
1 = No likelihood of presence
2 = Very Low
3 = Low
4 = Medium
5 = High

Note: If the raster does not display the correct scale in ArcPro, right-click the layer name, choose Symbology, then select Unique Values in the primary symbology dropdown. Confirm to compute unique values.

Reference: Bowers et al. 2024
More info: https://www.fws.gov/species/houston-toad-bufo-houstonensis

Model 4 – Restoration and Reintroduction Potential
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This raster model evaluates restoration and reintroduction potential at a 30 m resolution. Unlike other models, it does not assume geologic formations directly influence habitat suitability. Instead, it focuses on soil and tree canopy cover, aligning closely with the 2008 Buzo models.

Recommended Use: Identifying areas with potential for habitat restoration and species reintroduction, rather than direct habitat suitability.

Scale:
1 = No restoration potential
2 = Low
3 = Medium
4 = High
5 = Reintroduction potential (given appropriate hydrology)

Note: If the raster does not display the correct scale in ArcPro, right-click the layer name, choose Symbology, then select Unique Values in the primary symbology dropdown. Confirm to compute unique values.

Reference: Bowers et al. 2024
More info: https://www.fws.gov/species/houston-toad-bufo-houstonensis