CNHP Spatial Layers
Download free Statewide GIS data layers below for NONCOMMERCIAL USE ONLY depicting Elements by 7.5 Minute USGS Quadrangle, Potential Conservation Areas, Networks of Conservation Areas and Terrestrial Ecological System Patches. Click on the Metadata tag to see a detailed description of a map layer. Due to the sensitive nature of some element data, actual species and natural community locations have been generalized to 7.5 minute USGS quadrangles.
For COMMERCIAL USE or more up-to-date/detailed information please contact our Data Distribution Coordinator Michael Menefee (970-491-7331, Michael.Menefee@colostate.edu), or use our online form to request data.
Individual Map Files for Download
| Map Products | Statewide Elements by Quad | Statewide Potential Conservation Areas | Statewide Networks of Conservation Areas | Terrestrial Ecological System Patches (2011) |
| ESRI Shapefiles (.zip) | L4 Elements | L4 PCAs | L4 NCAs | - |
| Metadata (.txt) | ||||
| Printable Maps (.pdf Letter Size) | L4 Element Map | L4 PCA Map | L4 NCA Map | TESP Map |
| Associated Reports (.zip, link) | - | L4 PCA Reports OR View Individual PCA Reports (link) | L4 NCA Reports | The State of Colorado’s Biodiversity 2011 (link) |
| ESRI Geodatabase (.zip) | L4 Geodatabase (includes Elements, PCAs and NCAs) | TESP Geodatabase | ||
Colorado Natural Heritage Program
These data are a product and property of Colorado State University, Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP). These data are strictly "on loan" and should be considered "works in progress". Data maintained in the Colorado Natural Heritage Program database are an integral part of ongoing research at CSU and reflect the observations of many scientists, institutions and our current state of knowledge. These data are acquired from various sources, with varying levels of accuracy, and are continually being updated and revised. Many areas have never been surveyed and the absence of data in any particular geographic area does not necessarily mean that species or ecological communities of concern are not present. These data should not be regarded as a substitute for on-site surveys required for environmental assessments. Absence of evidence is NOT evidence of absence. Absence of any data does not mean that other resources of special concern do not occur, but rather CNHP files do not currently contain information to document this presence. CNHP is not responsible for whether other, non-CNHP data providers have secured landowner permission for data collected.
These data are provided for non-commercial purposes only. Under no circumstances are data to be distributed in any fashion to outside parties. To ensure accurate application of data, tabular and narrative components must be evaluated in conjunction with spatial components. Failure to do so constitutes a misuse of the data. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program shall have no liability or responsibility to the data users, or any other person or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the data, including but not limited to any interruption of service, loss of business, anticipatory profits or indirect, special, or consequential damages resulting from the use of operation of the data. Data users hereby agree to hold CNHP, Colorado State University, and the State of Colorado harmless from any claim, demand, cause of action, loss, damage or expense from or related to data users use of or reliance on the data, regardless of the cause or nature thereof, and even in the event that such cause is attributable to the negligence or misconduct of CNHP.
These data are provided on an as-is basis, as-available basis without warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. Although CNHP maintains high standards of data quality control, CNHP, Colorado State University, and the State of Colorado further expressly disclaim any warranty that the data are error-free or current as of the date supplied.
BY CLICKING ON THE “ACCEPT” BUTTON, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION IN THE ABOVE DISCLAIMER AND AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT.
Statewide Elements by Quad map layer shows which species or natural communities are currently, potentially or historically located on a quad. Due to the sensitive nature of these data, actual species and natural community locations have been generalized to 7.5 minute USGS quadrangles.
Statewide Potential Conservation Areas (PCA) map layer shows CNHP's best estimate of the primary area required to support the long-term survival of targeted species or natural communities.
- The size and configuration of a PCA will be dictated by the conservation targets (i.e., those species, communities, or systems we seek to conserve at a given location) and their sustaining physical features and/or ecological features.
- PCA refers to the ability of a conservation area to maintain healthy, viable, targets over the long term (100+ years), including the ability of the targets to respond to natural or human-caused environmental change.
- PCAs do not necessarily preclude human activities, but their ability to function naturally may be greatly influenced by them.
- PCAs at all scales may require ecological management or restoration to maintain their functionality and long term persistence.
Statewide Network of Conservation Areas (NCA) map layer shows areas that fit one of the following definitions.
- A landscape area that encompasses Potential Conservation Areas (PCAs) that share similar species or natural communities and ecological processes. NCAs include unoccupied or surveyed areas that are within the same ecological system that the species or natural communities require. NCAs contain PCAs with an obvious repeating pattern (that is, the same species or natural communities are in each associated PCA).
- A mostly intact, lightly fragmented landscape that supports wide- ranging species and large scale disturbances. NCAs include unoccupied or unsurveyed areas that demonstrate the connectivity of the landscape. NCAs contain PCAs that may occur at a variety of ecological scales.
Terrestrial Ecological System Patches (TESP) map layer shows large-sized ecological system patches derived from a generalized version of the Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project landcover dataset (USGS 2004). Terrestrial Ecological Systems are dynamic groupings of plant and/or animal communities that: 1) occur together on the landscape; and 2) are linked by similar ecological processes, underlying abiotic environmental factors, or gradients; and 3) form a readily identifiable unit on the ground (Comer et al. 2003). The ranking system and score categories are based on conservation management status measures developed by The Nature Conservancy. Additional information is available in the report The State of Colorado’s Biodiversity.
