Rare Vegetation - ACE [ds2722]

Rare Vegetation, Areas of Conservation Emphasis (ACE), version 3.0.

The Terrestrial Significant Habitats dataset is one of the four key components of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Areas of Conservation Emphasis (ACE) suite of terrestrial conservation information, along with Terrestrial Biodiversity, Connectivity, and Climate Change Resilience. This data set was developed to support conservation planning efforts by allowing users to spatially evaluate the distribution of terrestrial significant habitats across the landscape. Terrestrial Significant Habitats may include habitats or vegetation types that are the focus of state, national, or locally legislated conservation laws, as well as key habitat areas that are essential to the survival and reproduction of focal wildlife species. The Terrestrial Significant Habitats data set is expected to be used along with other ACE datasets to provide a robust assessment of the presence and relative importance of elements important for biodiversity conservation.

The Terrestrial Significant Habitats dataset provides a variety of information on terrestrial habitats synthesized from vegetation and land cover maps. This includes Rare Vegetation [ds2722], Oak Woodlands [ds2723], Riparian Habitat [ds2724], Saline Wetlands [ds2726], and several types of Freshwater Wetlands [ds2725]. The number of significant habitats in each hexagon is summarized in the Terrestrial Significant Habitats Summary [ds2721], and a reference to the original vegetation or landcover datasets that map the significant habitat elements is provided for each hexagon.