Mule Deer Connectivity Modeling for the California Desert Linkage Network [ds829]

This dataset represents potential cores and patches of breeding habitat for Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Potential breeding area is defined as a cluster of pixels that are good enough (habitat suitability score above 50) and big enough to support breeding by the focal species. The other primary input to the analysis is home range or territory size. Thus, this analysis was only conducted if this information was available for the focal species. Potential breeding habitat was classified into two size classes. A potential core was defined as a continuous area of suitable habitat large enough to sustain at least 50 individuals. Potential cores are probably capable of supporting the species for several generations (although with erosion of genetic material if isolated). A breeding patch was defined as an area of suitable habitat large enough to support successful reproduction by a pair of individuals (perhaps more if home ranges overlap greatly), but smaller than a potential core area. Patches are useful to the species if the patches are linked via dispersal to other patches and core areas. For more information about the creation and utilization of this data, please see the report "A Linkage Network for the California Deserts" at http://www.scwildlands.org/reports/Default.aspx