<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><metadata xml:lang="en">
<Esri>
<CreaDate>20240709</CreaDate>
<CreaTime>14390200</CreaTime>
<ArcGISFormat>1.0</ArcGISFormat>
<SyncOnce>TRUE</SyncOnce>
</Esri>
<dataIdInfo>
<idCitation>
<resTitle>Sage Grouse Priority Habitat</resTitle>
</idCitation>
<idAbs>The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) Greater Sage-grouse Habitat Categorization Map is an analysis tool that incorporates the best available data (lek observations, telemetry locations, survey and inventory reports, vegetation cover, soils information, and aerial photography) into a statewide prioritization of Greater sage-grouse (sage-grouse) habitat. This tool provides resource managers with information to guide conservation and land-use planning efforts in the context of sage-grouse management at the landscape-scale (e.g. approximately 1:100,000). Sage-grouse habitat was categorized into the following five classes:1. Essential/Irreplaceable Habitat2. Important Habitat3. Habitat of Moderate Importance4. Low Value Habitat and Transitional Range5. Unsuitable HabitatN/A - Non-habitatThe sage-grouse habitat categorization analysis was only performed for areas within the sage-grouse population management units (PMUs) identified by the Governor’s Sage-Grouse Conservation Team (2004). Ongoing efforts will include revisions to the habitat categorization every 3-5 years based upon updated PMU boundaries, sage-grouse survey and inventory work, conservation projects, human land-use development, and wildfire events.</idAbs>
<idCredit>Nevada Department of Wildlife - field biologists, greater sage-grouse staff specialists, and GIS staff, In collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management - Nevada State Office and district field office personnel</idCredit>
</dataIdInfo>
</metadata>
