Tailoring GAP data in response to users' input: GAP data in State Wildlife Action Plans

As the last of the state Gap Analysis Programs bring their projects to a close, the National GAP is turning its focus to implementation and applications. GAP data are online and available for download for 40 states, and have been used in a wide range of projects from identifying high priority conservation areas to assessing state-level fire hazards. However, we feel the data has even wider potential. In a recent survey of State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) coordinators, respondents were asked about their use of GAP data in plan development, about modifications to existing data that they’d like to see, and about additional data that would be important to them. A list of potential modifications was compiled from the results of a 2005 survey which asked SWAP coordinators about barriers to using GAP data. According to respondents the most important modifications included providing more finer-scale mapping for specific species; information on habitat change; and more information about habitat condition. Other desired modifications included better delineation between forest types, better mapping of linear corridors, more information on threats to habitat and species, and more regional and aquatic data. This presentation will focus on how we at the GAP program are working to address these issues and to make our data more accessible to a wide range of potential users.