U.S. Geological Survey Gap Analysis Program species range data show a coarse representation of the total areal extent of a species or the geographic limits within which a species can be found. The data were compiled from GAP regional projects, NatureServe, and IUCN sources, then intersected with hydrological units and attributed with information on occurrence, origin, reproductive use, and seasonal use. The data are provided by the U.S. Geological Survey Gap Analysis Program in collaboration with multiple regional gap analysis projects.
Use Cases
- Modeling species habitat suitability based on attributed range data for occurrence, origin, and seasonal use.
- Analyzing biodiversity patterns across U.S. hydrological units based on intersected species range data.
- Assessing conservation priorities by comparing compiled range data from GAP, NatureServe, and IUCN sources.
Strengths
- Data compiled from multiple authoritative sources including GAP regional projects, NatureServe, and IUCN.
- Range data are attributed with specific biological context fields like occurrence, origin, reproductive use, and seasonal use.
- Coverage includes the contiguous U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Limitations
- Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
- Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
Provenance
- Source
- U.S. Geological Survey Gap Analysis Program (USGS-GAP), in collaboration with regional GAP projects, NatureServe, and IUCN.
- Collection Method
- Compilation and intersection of existing species range datasets from multiple sources.
- Time Range
- null
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.