If you were to derive each of these inputs on your own, this is how you would do it. However, we’ve just provided these for you in this lab. In other words, the below is FYI (you don’t have to do this).
The ungulate utilization model requires:
Existing, readily and freely available GIS datasets from GIS data clearinghouses can be used as model inputs. For the pilot study ungulate utilization model, we used:
NHD+ for a drainage network layer & hydrography data
Landfire for Vegetation Type raster data
USGS Digital Elevation (DEM) data for Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
These data were processed to generate the following raster datasets:
Euclidean distance to Water (NHD streams and water bodies), Forage preference (LANDFIRE landcover data), Percent slope map (based on USGS 10-m DEM)
How the LANDFIRE land cover data for existing (2008) was classified by ungulate forage preferences established in the literature.
Task 1: Classify the LANDFIRE land cover data
Table 4. Suitability of LANDFIRE land cover classes for ungulate grazing
O - Unsuitable - LANDFIRE land cover = Cropland, developed, roads, barren, or water.
1 - Barely Suitable - LANDFIRE land cover = sparsely vegetated.
2 - Moderately Suitable - LANDFIRE land cover = conifer forest.
3 - Suitable - LANDFIRE land cover = woodland or evergreen shrubland.
4 - Preferred - LANDFIRE land cover = grasslands, scrubland steep or riparian.
Your classified output should look something like the above for the Escalante (click on image for larger view).
**Output file: **
Task 1: Create a project area slope map
Your slope analysis should look something like the above.
**Output files: **
Task 1: Convert NHD waterbodies to polyline (for distance to water input.)
**Output: **
NHD_Lakes_As_Polyline.shp
Step 2: Use the Merge command to combine the resulting lakes polyline with the NHD perennial streams include streams outside your project area.
**Output: **NHD_Lakes_Perennial_Streams.shp
**Task 2: Use the Euclidean Distance command to calculate distance to water sources **
Output:
NHD_Lakes_Streams_For Euclidean_Distance.img
Step 3: Clip the output raster NHD_Lakes_Streams_For Euclidean_Distance.img by your area of interest.
Use Extract by Mask
Step 4: Convert raster to ASCII raster using the Raster to ASCII command.
Your euclidean distance should look something like the above.
Output: