Project Summary:

The GAP analysis program proposes to take a geographic approach to planning whereby environmental layers are used to create broad-scale GIS maps of potential habitat for native species and, in addition, GIS data representing the current protection status of the land intersecting these species ranges allow managers to plan for species protection and habitat protection/restoration at broad, ecologically significant scales. This project uses a two-pronged effort to develop Aquatic GAP methodologies across the Colorado/Wyoming state line. 1) For a set of pilot watersheds in the South Platte River basin, apply Aquatic GAP techniques to aid in completion of the Missouri River Aquatic GAP program, and 2) Assess multiple approaches to developing robust species distribution models for 3 species in these watersheds. It is hoped that this pilot study will outline the costs and protocols for broader scale application of Aquatic GAP analysis in Wyoming and Colorado.