USFWS Utah Mexican Spotted Owl Lewis 2014 Habitat Model

The Lewis 2014 model was developed to help biologists identify potential Mexican spotted owl habitat in Utah. This data is intended to aid in the analysis of effects to Mexican spotted owl from proposed project-related disturbance and should be used in consultation with the USFWS <a href='https://www.fws.gov/office/utah-ecological-services' target='_blank' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>Utah Ecological Services Field Office</a> (URL). Based on the habitat requirements stated in the 2012<a href='https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8196' target='_blank' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'> Recovery Plan</a> (URL) and building upon the <a href='https://services.arcgis.com/QVENGdaPbd4LUkLV/arcgis/rest/services/MSO_Willey_1997/FeatureServer' target='_blank' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>Willey and Spotskey 1997 model</a> (URL), Lewis developed a new species distribution model using updated species information and improved GIS techniques and statistical approaches.  Additional habitat variables used in the 2014 model and approach included: surface ratio, curvature, geology, and cross-canyon width. Surface ratio is a measure that can be used to identify areas with steep canyons, while curvature identifies tablelands, cliff tops, and canyons. This is an ensemble classification layer that combines three models (the Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and MaxEnt models) and is displayed on a color ramp indicating the agreement of the three models on suitable habitat for the species. The layer uses the following scale: <div><ul><li>0 = no color or null; </li><li>1= Low Presence (yellow), No models; </li><li>2= Medium Presence (orange), 2 models overlap; </li><li>3= High Presence (red), 3 (or all) models overlap.</li></ul>A copy of the accompanying thesis, &quot;<a href='https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4325&amp;context=etd' target='_blank' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>Habitat Characteristics of Mexican Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis lucida) in the Canyonlands of Southern Utah</a>&quot; (URL) can be downloaded for reference. For project-planning, we recommend the use of the Lewis 2014 model in concert with the Willey 1997 model as well as with an analysis of aerial imagery to eliminate non-canyon habitat, such as mountain ridges or straight cliff edges. Additionally, field assessments should be conducted to identify suitable habitat that requires occupancy surveys.<br /></div>