See metadata from the Data Catalogue record and Appendix IV in the the protocol for more information. 

 

This data identifies areas of secure core habitat capable for grizzly bears. For the purpose of this spatial analysis, secure
core areas are defined as areas that are roadless (or roaded but coastally remote) and in patches ≥10 km2 . Capable habitat is identified in Broad Ecosystem Inventory (BEI) mapping and excludes major water, ice and glacial features. 500m buffers on teh following human disturbance are also excluded from the secure core: mining and extraction, rail and airport infrastructure, oil and gas infrastructure, power and utility Rights of Way, agricultural, urban and urban-mixed use (e.g. recreational) areas. Harvest cut blocks and seismic lines were not excluded from core, as these areas may offer some habitat and forage opportunities.

Method (see protocol and data dictionary for more detailed information)
The general steps for determining capable secure habitat were as follows.
1. Calculate road density (raster) for ‘open’ roads and utilities in order to identify the ‘roadless’ areas
2. Smooth the ‘roadless’ areas to eliminate long, narrow ‘peninsulas’ and select only resulting secure core areas ≥10 km2
3. Further refine by removal of non-capable areas and select human disturbance to create final capable secure core polygons

 

Analysis Date: 2020