ACE Connectivity (Ranks 4 & 5)

Terrestrial Connectivity is one of the main outputs of the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Areas of Conservation Emphasis (ACE) project. This dataset evaluates how an area contributes to animal movement and general ecological flow. It includes information on corridors that allow for species migration, including narrow channels through highly disturbed areas which are critical for retaining the last threads of connectivity in these areas, as well as high usage areas between large, contiguous and natural landscapes which are described as intact. The ACE Ranks are used to indicate level of connectivity conservation urgency, with essential corridors and linkages emphasized with highest level scores of 4 or 5. Areas that have high connectivity, but have not been identified as having channelized areas for species corridors or habitat linkages, are given a rank 3. Large, intact regions which also contribute to connectivity but possess greater redundancy on account of their size, are given a lower rank of 2. Areas that show no opportunity for connectivity are given the lowest rank of 1.<o:p></o:p> Ranks 4 and 5 are used as an exclusion in the biological planning priorities component of the Core and SB 100 Terrestrial Climate Resilience Study Screens. This ensures that areas of technical resource potential identified through screening avoid lands with higher conservation value for connectivity.<o:p></o:p> For more information about this layer and its use in electric system planning, please read the Land Use Screens Staff Report in the CEC Energy Planning Library. <o:p></o:p>