Joshua Tree Range

This data set represents the digital range map of Joshua Tree ( Yucca brevifolia ) in western North America. It is only found in the Southern California Region of California.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Last Updated January 17, 2025, 06:42 (UTC)
Created January 17, 2025, 06:42 (UTC)
category /Biodiversity Conservation/Focal Species/Plants
collection_name California Landscape Metrics
creation_method Data from multiple sources, including existing digitized maps, tabular data, personal communication, and figures from other publications, were synthesized to create a single digital distribution. Several steps were undertaken in the process of generating the final distribution. Paper map or figure sources were scanned using a flatbed scanner. Scanned images were then georeferenced in ArcMap (ESRI ArcGIS 8.3) using the Georeferencing Toolbar utilities. Once georeferenced, scanned images were then digitized using heads-up digitizing into respective shapefiles using ArcMap (ESRI ArcGIS 8.3). These shapefiles were then used, in conjunction with a digital elevation model (GTOPO30 from http://edcdaac.usgs.gov/gtopo30/gtopo30.html), to visually compare, edit, and generate a new distribution. Editing encompassed moving, adding, deleting, and reshaping polygons in the shapefile subjectively based upon visual comparison of all datasets in the GIS. Only polygons of species presence are included in the final version, and all polygons of presence have a CODE equal to 1. Once a draft distribution was completed, the distribution was distributed to regional experts and critically reviewed. Following review, the distribution draft version was iteratively edited and modified to meet the suggestions of the aforementioned reviewers. Subsequent review is possible, and the current version of this data set could be modified again in the near future based on feedback from existing and additional reviewers. The purpose of this digital data set is to delimit the modern geographic distribution of Joshua Tree ( _Yucca brevifolia_ ) based on existing publicly available data. The polygons were then transformed to a binary 30m raster layer, where 1 represents Joshua Tree's range.
data_units Binary layer, 1 represents current range, 0 not in range
data_vintage 2003
encoding utf8
file_name JoshuaTreeRange_2003_202312_T2_v5
format GeoTiff
harvest_object_id cf3cb7a1-f0e3-4842-8488-20d7fb914a1c
harvest_source_id a2637971-af12-457f-ae4a-831d2202a539
harvest_source_title WIFIRE Commons
maximum_value 1.0
metric_definition_and_relevance This data set represents the digital range map of Joshua Tree ( _Yucca brevifolia_ ) in western North America. It is only found in the Southern California Region of California.
minimum_value 0.0
spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-119.0153812608704, 33.571980890522546], [-114.47713631243289, 33.571980890522546], [-114.47713631243289, 37.6534943030011], [-119.0153812608704, 37.6534943030011], [-119.0153812608704, 33.571980890522546]]]}
tier 2