![]() ![]() Todd Esque and researchers at USGS WERC are identifying key reptile and amphibian species throughout the DLCC region that are at-risk of being exposed to substantial habitat loss due to potential climate change. Their mission is to provide scientific information and decision-support tools to inform resource managers for the southwestern desert region. The DLCC forms a network of public-private partnerships. Public domain.)ĭesert Landscape Conservation Cooperative (DLCC) Reptile and Amphibian Research This species is among 24 different reptiles and amphibians for which habitat models are being constructed by various research groups for a comparison of methods and to consider how these species will do under projected climate scenarios.(Credit: Todd C. The name, sidewinder, stems from their mode of locomotion in which they throw their head to the side while using belly scales to propel themselves forward, and sideways, simultaneously. They are a sit-and-wait predator that curl up in the sand and look like a Danich pastry until a rodent or lizard runs by, when they envenomate them with lightning speed. New work continues to seek resolution to questions about the value of land parcels as Mohave ground squirrel habitat that were previously unresolved by incorporating newly developed spatial layers of vegetation with data on the demography of the ground squirrel.ĭesert sidewinder rattlesnakes (Crotalus cerastes) occupy habitats of loose soil and windblown sands. The work identified hypothetical species dispersal corridors and core habitat areas that were used toward the completion of BLM’s land use planning for the region. ![]() Irwin National Training Center conducted a synthesis of species habitat modeling, genetics, and Graph Theory to inform natural resource mangers about potential areas of conflict in land-use planning with the future conservation of the Mohave ground squirrel and future climate change. Mary’s College, and Department of Defense - Ft. Todd Esque and collaborators at USGS-WERC, US Bureau of Land Management, University of Nevada - Reno, St. With support from the California Energy Commission, Dr. The need to balance these national and state energy priorities with existing natural resource and land conservation policies has emerged as an expansive land use planning initiative known as the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP). Sunny, flat, desert valleys are preferred habitat for this species and the preferred siting locations for large scale renewable energy developments. ![]() The Mohave ground squirrel ( Xerospermophilus mohaviensis) is a rare mammal that lives in the western Mojave Desert of southern California and has the smallest distribution among ground squirrels in North America. Renewable Energy Development and Conservation of the Mohave Ground Squirrel USGS-WERC researchers and collaborators developed habitat models for the squirrel that were used for conflict resolution in the development of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. (Credit: Margaret Walden, University of Nevada, Reno. These squirrels inhabit the west Mojave Desert of southern California. The Mohave ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis) is small and brown brown with bristly hairs at the tip of it tail distinguishing them from their close relatives the round-railed ground squirrels (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus). We use models to assist in identifying plant and animal priority sites, species and communities that are vulnerable to climate change, produce high quality habitat models for managing species of concern, and investigate ecosystem responses to land use change and climate change. ![]() Todd Esque and WERC researchers use a variety of geospatial modeling approaches to understand the dynamics of arid ecosystems and how environmental changes affect our public lands. Species and habitat modeling are powerful tools used by researchers to answer natural resource management questions. Todd Esque, field researchers, and collaborators are using models, monitoring plans, and decision-support tools to provide land managers with the resources they need to answer questions about how environmental change influences plants, animals, and their habitats. Species are at-risk due to past, present, and future changes to the landscape. The southwestern desert region is home to many sensitive species. ![]()
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