Terrestrial Connectivity is one of the
main outputs of the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Areas of Conservation Emphasis (ACE) project. This dataset evaluates how an area contributes to animal
movement and general ecological flow. It includes information on corridors that
allow for species migration, including narrow channels through highly disturbed
areas which are critical for retaining the last threads of connectivity in
these areas, as well as high usage areas between large, contiguous and natural
landscapes which are described as intact. The ACE Ranks are used to indicate
level of connectivity conservation urgency, with essential corridors and
linkages emphasized with highest level scores of 4 or 5. Areas that have high
connectivity, but have not been identified as having channelized areas for
species corridors or habitat linkages, are given a rank 3. Large, intact
regions which also contribute to connectivity but possess greater redundancy on
account of their size, are given a lower rank of 2. Areas that show no
opportunity for connectivity are given the lowest rank of 1.<o:p></o:p>
Ranks 4 and 5 are used as an exclusion in the biological planning
priorities component of the Core and SB 100 Terrestrial Climate Resilience
Study Screens. This ensures that areas of technical resource potential
identified through screening avoid lands with higher conservation value for
connectivity.<o:p></o:p>
For more information about this layer
and its use in electric system planning, please read the Land Use Screens Staff
Report in the CEC Energy Planning Library. <o:p></o:p>