Characterizing Habitat Conditions
We used two habitat variables, habitat abundance and habitat at risk of displacement by cheatgrass, to characterize the composite habitat conditions for each species group at the watershed extent within the Great Basin. For each variable, watersheds were assigned to one of three classes, resulting in nine possible combinations of habitat abundance and risk (Table: Composite habitat condition for Great Basin watersheds, Figure on the right).
The percentage of watersheds in each of the nine condition classes was relatively even for the sagebrush and salt desert shrub species groups, but one or two condition classes dominated the other three groups (Table: Composite habitat condition for Great Basin watersheds, Figure on the right). The best condition class, that of high habitat abundance coupled with none-low risk, was consistently uncommon, with the exception of the generalist group of species (Table: Composite habitat condition for Great Basin watersheds). Notably, the sagebrush group, which included both greater sage-grouse and pygmy rabbit, had the smallest percentage (2 percent) in this class (Table:Composite habitat condition for Great Basin watersheds, Figure on the right).
Encyclopedia ID: p3593
