Help & Documentation
Below are definitions for common terms used to describe CNHP data and data dictionaries that define narrative fields in CNHP's reports and field forms.
Definitions
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A list of rare and imperiled plants, animals and natural plant communities that CNHP considers to be the most important targets for conservation of biodiversity. CNHP actively collects data on these elements. For each element on the list, we assign imperilment ranks using a 1-5 ranking system (with 1 being the most imperiled to 5 being the most common) that identifies how imperiled the element is globally and how imperiled it is in Colorado. Population size, threats, and trends can all be considered when assigning imperilment ranks. Elements are assigned a tracking status that indicates whether the element is fully tracked, partially tracked, or on CNHP's "watch list". Locations of elements fully or partially tracked by CNHP are maintained in our Biotics database as element occurrences. Locations of elements on our watch list are maintained as observations. CNHP's tracking list changes over time as new information is discovered. Global and state imperilment ranks and tracking status are continually updated, and elements can be removed or added to the list.
A biodiversity unit of conservation attention and action for which a global and state imperilment rank is assigned. Typically, an element represents a plant or animal species, or a natural plant community. Elements may be recognized at any taxonomic level although most are recognized at the species level and below for organisms and the USNVC Plant Association level for natural plant communities. Each entity is referred to as an element of biodiversity, or element for short.
An element occurrence represents a location at which an element is, or was, present. An EO has potential continued (or historic) presence and/or regular recurrence at a given location and has practical conservation value. The location is characterized by a habitat capable of sustaining or contributing to the survival of the species, or by a landscape that supports the ecological integrity of the natural plant community. Biologically meaningful presence is element-specific and based on the life history characteristics of the element. For some species, a single individual merits an element occurrence (e.g. a single plant of Colorado hookless cactus in native habitat) while for others it does not (e.g. a Bald Eagle flying overhead would not, but a nesting site would). Nearby individuals can be grouped into the same element occurrence creating one occurrence with spatially separated sub-populations.
A source feature is the mapped representation of one or more sightings of the same element in similar space. Source features are the building blocks, or individual units, of element occurrences and include spatial uncertainty buffers. Element occurrences are constructed from one or more source features.
Observations are source features without links to EOs. They either represent sightings of species on CNHP's watchlist or sightings of tracked elements that do not meet the minimum criteria necessary to make an occurrence (e.g. a Bald Eagle flying overhead). Observations are quickly mapped and attributed with basic information, typically a date, observer, and number of individuals. Condition and viability are not assessed for observations as they are for element occurrences. Observations provide a rapid means to map lower priority species.
Mapped locations are the combination of source features and observations. They literally represent the number of polygons in our Biotics database. CNHP will frequently use the term "mapped location" to quantify spatial data as the term "element occurrence" can be misleading. The number of element occurrences is not a good indicator of data entry effort since one EO can represent one polygon (e.g. a small cluster of rare plants) or hundreds of polygons (e.g. scattered leks spread across several miles of suitable habitat). When the number of mapped locations is reported, it typically includes tracked and watchlisted elements unless otherwise noted.
PCAs represent CNHP's best estimate of the primary area supporting the long-term survival of targeted element occurrences and typically include adjacent suitable habitat and buffers from disturbance. PCA refers to the ability of a conservation area to maintain healthy, viable targets over the long term (100+ years), including the ability 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. PCAs are assigned biodiversity significance ranks ranging from 1 (Outstanding Significance) to 5 (General Interest). Ranks are based on the rarity and quality of the element occurrences in the site.
Additionally, PCAs:- Are often based on desk-top scientific references and need ground-truthing
- Focus on biological and physical factors and do not account for land ownership and political concerns
- Support land-use planning and conservation strategies but do not have legal meaning or in any way represent an attempt to regulate or limit the use of private property
- Do not automatically exclude specific activities, rather it is hypothesized that some activities will cause degradation to the elements or the processes on which they depend, while others will not
An NCA will fit one of the following definitions:
- A landscape area that encompasses PCAs that share similar species or natural communities and ecological processes. NCAs include unoccupied or unsurveyed 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.
Data Dictionaries
Need help interpreting data you obtained from CNHP? Below is a list of data dictionaries for our data products. Just click on a link to find what you need to know.
- Element Occurrence Report Dictionary (PDF 41 kb)
- Potential Conservation Areas (PCA) Report Dictionary (PDF 34 kb)
- Network of Conservation Areas (NCA) Report Dictionary (PDF 28 kb)
- Observation Data Report Dictionary (PDF 27 kb)
- Animal Field Form Dictionary (PDF 52 kb)
- Natural Community Field Form Dictionary (PDF 78 kb)
- Plant Field Form Dictionary (PDF 70 kb)
