Spatial distribution dataset of livestock track landscapes in California

This dataset contains the geographic coordinates and hierarchical classifications of 1,697 sites with clearly observable livestock track landscapes across California, USA. Each record includes a unique identification code, longitude, latitude, and the corresponding livestock track landscape type. Spatial identification of livestock track landscapes The records were derived from the visual interpretation of 53,868 sites distributed across California at a uniform interval of 0.027778° (approximately 3 km). Interpretation was conducted using publicly available high-resolution imagery in Google Earth Pro (version 7.3.4.8248; Google, Mountain View, CA, USA). Sites with clearly recognizable livestock track features were retained as livestock track landscape sites, resulting in the 1,697 records included in this dataset. Visual classification of livestock track landscape types Livestock track landscapes were classified using an empirically grounded, morphology-based, three-level hierarchical framework. Level 1 distinguishes nature-dominated and grazing-management-dominated landscapes. At Level 2, nature-dominated landscapes are differentiated according to terrain, vegetation, or surface constraints, whereas grazing-management-dominated landscapes are differentiated according to grazing intensity or grazing infrastructure. Distinct and recurrent track-network patterns were retained as specific Level 3 types. Classification was based on observable track-network morphology and broader landscape context, and assignments were repeatedly compared and revised by the research team until consensus was reached. The 19 Level 3 livestock track landscape types are: Type I-A1, Well-developed parallel network;Type I-A2, Sub-parallel network;Type I-A3, Diffuse-intersecting network;Type I-A4, Curved-radiating uphill network;Type I-A5, Topographic-bypass network;Type I-A6, Valley–ridge corridor network;Type I-B1, Shrub-through network;Type I-B2, Shrub-bypass network;Type I-B3, Tree-centered radiating network;Type I-B4, Tree-deflected network;Type I-B5, Tree-through network;Type I-C1, Rock-bypass network;Type I-C2, Landslide-bypass network;Type I-C3, Waterbody-influenced network;Type II-A1, Less-developed network;Type II-B1, Livestock-shed–influenced network;Type II-B2, Road-influenced network;Type II-B3, Fence-influenced network; andType II-B4, Water-point radiating network. In the spreadsheet, longitude values in the “W” column are expressed as positive decimal degrees west, whereas latitude values in the “N” column are expressed as decimal degrees north. This dataset supports an associated manuscript on the spatial distribution, persistence, and structural diversity of livestock track landscapes in grazed ecosystems.