What's New
Research & Projects Publications
People
Data
Links
UCSB Biogeography Lab Publications Abstracts
A Digital Multipurpose Vegetation Map for the Colorado Desert of California
M. Violet Gray
The purpose of this mapping of Colorado Desert vegetation is to produce a medium scale representation of broad landscapes of vegetation. These data are intended for use as input for a regional conservation analysis technique known as Gap Analysis. Data were collected using field based techniques and areal units were delineated using Thematic Mapper satellite data. Cartographic analysis was performed to compare distribution of vegetation types and their component species with regard to areas of varying management regimes. Results show significant differences between protection regimes for vegetation types and their component species. An analysis of proposed desert wilderness areas showed a large increase in protection status for species and vegetation types exhibiting strong patterns of eastern distribution.