These data sets contain simple, landscape-scale greater sage-grouse habitat types that can be used for conservation and restoration planning purposes. The habitat types include: (1) key sage-grouse habitat areas and (2) three habitat restoration types: (a) R1 - perennial native and non-native grasslands with high restoration potential; (b) R2 - annual grass dominated areas (either shrubland or grassland) with low restoration potential and (c) R3 - conifer encroachment areas with high restoration potential. The initial data set delineates these habitat types up to the year 2000 (2000 Northern Sage-Grouse Habitat Planning Map). This baseline map was developed using field experts with Idaho BLM, Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and other local experts. Existing vegetation, fire history and sage grouse population data were used to delineate the habitat types. A subsequent data set (2002 Northern Sage-Grouse Planning Map) was also developed for the year 2002 and reflects changes in these habitats as a result of fires, emergency fire rehabilitation (EFR) and restoration efforts during 2000 and 2001. Fire polygon and project descriptions for EFRs and restoration projects were used to map habitats for the 2002 map (please see process step for detailed information on the original capture of the sage-grouse habitat data). A new data set was generated in 2004, reflecting fire polygons from 2002 and 2003. For the 2005 update BLM field offices submitted edits based on new information from monitoring and inventory data, fire occurrence and treatments from the 2005 season. IDFG digitized some polygons (particularly in the West Central SGPA) from NAIP imagery to increase the data accuracy. For the 2006 update BLM field offices submitted edits based on new information from monitoring and inventory data, fire occurrence and treatments from the 2006 season. IDFG has not submitted edits. USFS supplied fire polygons for updating the habitat that were already provided by BLM-IF so no further edits were made. For the 2007 edits, each BLM District submitted a seperate habitat dataset that included their edits. All the districts edited the same version of habitat that they copied from the Idaho State Office server. USFS also submitted edits based on 2007 fires, but none of these edits were new compared to what the BLM Districts submitted. For 2008 edits, each BLM District updated their portion of the habitat in SDE. USFS and IDFG contributed edits via BLM Field Office staff. For the 2009 edits, a very similar process was performed, where edits were done on SDE by the District Offices. Each office consulted with the USFS and IDFG. A new data set will be developed annually to update the planning map and chart landscape-level changes in sage-grouse habitat over time.
