Replication Data for Optimizing Cattle Ranching Locations in Chaves County, New Mexico: A GIS-Based Assessment of Ecological Resources and Spatial Relationships to Active and Abandoned Oil And Gas Wells

Replication Data Description This replication dataset supports the study Optimizing Cattle Ranching Locations in Chaves County, New Mexico: A GIS-Based Assessment of Ecological Resources and Spatial Relationships to Active and Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells. It contains all spatial inputs, derived layers, and analytical outputs required to reproduce the GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation and suitability modeling presented in the study. The data include geospatial layers representing land use and land cover, soil and geology, elevation and slope proxies, hydrological features, vegetation and grazing allotments, wildfire exposure, transportation networks, settlements, and active and abandoned oil and gas wells. Intermediate products generated through spatial processing, including tessellation grids, spatial joins, buffering, and overlay operations, are also provided to ensure full transparency of the modeling workflow. All datasets are supplied in standard GIS formats with complete projection information and attribute tables, allowing direct use in ArcGIS and other compatible GIS platforms. The replication data enable independent verification of results, sensitivity testing of criteria, and reuse of the modeling framework for comparable ranching suitability assessments in energy-influenced landscapes.