Look for complete geospatial metadata in this layer's associated xml document available from the download link

* Metric Name: Open Habitat Raptors Species Richness  

* Tier: 2  

* Data Vintage: 04/2023  

* Unit Of Measure: Number of species  

* Metric Definition and Relevance: Native species richness is estimated based on high suitability reproductive habitat for a given species. Reproductive habitat is used to represent suitability because it is critical for species persistence and for most native species it has the most limited requirements. If a habitat is identified as high for a given species, it is considered suitable (1), and habitat identified as moderate, low or not suitable, it is considered unsuitable (0). Species richness values are used as a relative measure of biodiversity value; as such, areas with lower species richness based on these criteria may still have high biodiversity value, but not as high as areas with higher richness values. The total number of federally threatened/endangered native species per spatial unit (30m pixel) can be useful for assessing change in number/composition over space.  

* Creation Method: Generated using the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships model developed and managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. CWHR habitat values are based on the FVEG vegetation data that has been updated. Species are considered present, and habitats considered suitable for each 30m cell for which the canopy cover-size-vegetation combination have been deemed highly suitable for the reproduction of that species in the California Wildlife Habitat Relationship database.

Only raptor species that are associated with open habitats have been included
in the species richness count for this layer. The raptors included in this
layer are American Kestrel, Barn Owl, Burrowing Owl, Ferruginous Hawk, Golden
Eagle, Long-Eared Owl, Northern Harrier, Prairie Falcon, Rough-Legged Hawk,
Short-Eared Owl, Swainson'S Hawk, Turkey Vulture, White-Tailed Kite,
California Condor and Great Grey Owl.

  

* Credits: FVEG 2023 \--CALFIRE, CDFW, LANDFIRE, California Forest Observatory (SALO), USDA Forest Service California Department of Fish and Wildlife CWHR version 9.0 (CDFW); 2014