New Map Helps Keep Common Wildlife Species Common

How do we prevent common species from becoming endangered species? The solution lies in minding the gap — the Gap Analysis Program, that is, a U.S. Geological Survey program that helps conservationists keep an eye on the needs of healthy wildlife populations.

While endangered species are able to maintain a more high-profile priority, common species often get left out of the loop.  GAP aims to identify plants and wildlife communities that aren't adequately represented in existing conservation lands. By identifying the habitats of wildlife that's not currently at risk, GAP tells conservationists how well they are keeping an eye on the needs of healthy plants and animals.

One of the star tools of this effort is a national map of the nation's ecosystems, a mash-up of ground and satellite surveys of land cover. GAP tries to sleuth out common species habitats that may not be well noted among existing conservation areas and efforts. The new overview helps wildlife professionals sustain the habitats of more common, everyday species.

"You cannot adequately manage an element without knowing its status throughout its range," states a background page on the GAP website, noting that the lack of information leads to poor land use decisions. "Conservation areas have often been set aside often without regard to their biodiversity content. As a result, many protected areas have little significance in terms of biodiversity, and many areas that are highly significant lack protection. The extinction crisis is real and it is here. If we wait until species are endangered before we take steps to protect them, we will perpetuate this crisis."

Protection for endangered species appears to be getting back on track. President Barack Obama took action last year to overturn an infuriating midnight regulation by his predecessor that hobbled the already shaky Endangered Species Act by removing the requirement for independent scientific reviews of federal projects that could affect protected animal and plant species. The reversal of that action is good news for endangered species — and now advocates for other wildlife get the support they need, too.

The coolest part? You can dig around in the maps and data yourself to find out what's going on in your own region or to follow your own pet wildlife causes. Tool around with GAP's searchable, zoomable map online, or root through the regional data.

Photo credit: GAP