Western Harvest Mouse Range Map for California Wildlife Habitat

Vector range maps represent the maximum current geographic extent of the Western Harvest Mouse within California, developed as part of the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR) system. The data supports habitat conservation, land use planning, and wildlife research for terrestrial vertebrates. Maps were originally delineated at 1:5,000,000 scale and revised at 1:1,000,000 by species-level experts.

Use Cases

• Model species distribution for the Western Harvest Mouse using CWHR range map geometry for conservation planning.
• Analyze habitat relationships by overlaying the vector range map with land cover or management status data layers.
• Support impact assessments by identifying the geographic extent of the species relative to proposed development areas.

Strengths

• Data is part of the authoritative California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR) system developed by the State of California.
• Range maps have been revised from an original scale of 1:5,000,000 to a more detailed 1:1,000,000 scale.
• The CWHR system provides a predictive model and linked documentation, including a species look-up table and user guide.

Limitations

• The dataset contains only a single species range map, limiting comparative ecological analysis without additional CWHR data.
• As a vector polygon dataset, analytical utility depends on joining with other spatial data (e.g., habitat, climate) which is not included.
• The 'maximum current geographic extent' may not reflect fine-grained population density or habitat suitability within the range.

Provenance

Source

State of California, California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR) program.

Collection Method

Originally delineated and later revised by species-level experts using expert opinion and scientific data.

Time Range

Current geographic extent; specific temporal coverage for observations is not provided.

Freshness

Last updated in March 2026, indicating recent maintenance.

Geography

California, United States.