Introduction

Land managers and scientific researchers often use classification systems as part of a framework to guide research, land use policies, and as a tool for communication. One form of land classification is habitat type. A habitat type is defined by Hironaka et al. (1983) as “the aggregate area of land that supports, or until recent times supported, and presumably is capable of again supporting, a particular climax plant community, regardless of the type or kind of disturbance plant community presently occupying the site”. When the climax plant community is compared with the abiotic factors of its surroundings (e.g., climate, soils, topography), it allows for a better understanding of the complexities of the environment that it occupies (Jensen et al. 1990).
Classification of communities, including the habitat type classification, has many applications (Barbour and Billings 1988, Bailey 1998, Küchler 1964 and 1970). In general, it provides a means of classification that allows for an information storage and retrieval system by basing the classification on the natural potential of a site regardless of the current condition (Hironaka et al. 1983). This gives land managers and researchers a baseline to start from when trying to determine the potential production capabilities of an area. Knowing what potential a site has provides guidance for decisions concerning land use planning in agriculture, forestry, recreation, hydrology, and can help in the development of objectives for restoration projects. Managers and researchers are able to predict what effect various treatments and land use policies will have on a particular site if they understand what factors influence the productivity of a site (Sharp and Sanders 1978). Habitat type classification also allows for health assessments and increased ecological understanding of succession and niche theory by comparing the existing vegetation communities with the potential natural vegetation. Habitat typing is also used to subdivide the landscape into areas that display the same potential climax communities, and may aid in defining and mapping boundaries for ecological communities.

Habitat types provide a useful classification tool, but little work has been done to consolidate and integrate information on the ecologically important topics concerning shrub steppe communities in Idaho. A search of the literature on habitat types of Idaho showed that little published information exists on this topic, and the information that is available is limited in value because it remains disjointed. Attempts at describing the various habitat types of Idaho were undertaken during the early 1980s. However, no effort to consolidate this information has been made since that time (Hironaka and Tisdale 1981, Hironaka et al. 1983, Sharp and Saunders 1978, and Tisdale 1986). This is particularly the case in regard to using basic ecological information for application in rangelands and other areas of natural resources.

A system that uses information technology and geographical information systems (GIS) to compile and integrate information on rangeland habitat types into an interactive electronic book on CD-ROM provides a convenient and easy-to-access tool for use by researchers, land managers, students, and the public. The incorporation of geographical information, graphs, images, and sounds allows for a more comprehensive understanding and visualization of all aspects of a habitat type and the environmental factors that influence the development of the climax community. This interface presents information in a comprehensive and interactive manner that greatly increases the understanding of habitat types and increases its accessibility to researchers, managers, and students. The interactive electronic book provides this type of framework. Moreover, this interactive book provides a tool to help understand the impacts of climate change (natural and human caused) and other disturbances in the communities that make up shrub steppe ecosystems. Additionally, the creation of an interactive CD-ROM-based book has provided a model template for others in natural resources to develop similar programs in different regions. Ultimately, this interactive electronic book will facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of shrub steppe habitat types and the interactions that occur within these communities.

Objectives

1. Develop a comprehensive analysis of rangeland habitat types that includes and integrates the physical environment, ecology, and human influences.

2. Use the tools from information technology and GIS to organize and present this information in an entirely new interactive electronic interface for a CD-ROM-based book.

3. Provide increased understanding and access of scientific information on shrub steppe habitat types to researchers, land managers, students, and the public.

The completion of the above objectives has resulted in the consolidation of shrub steppe habitat types in Idaho into a single, easy-to-access, and interactive electronic book. The interactive nature allows users and learners to view the multiple dimensions that make up each habitat type, which will lead to an increased understanding of the factors that influence the communities in this ecosystem.

References

Bailey, R.G., and L. Ropes. 1998. Ecoregions: The ecosystem geography of the oceans and continents. Springer, New York.

Barbour, M.G., and W.D. Billings. 1988. North American terrestrial vegetation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England.

Hironaka, M., M.A. Fosberg, and A.H. Winward. 1983. Sagebrush-grass habitat types of southern Idaho. Forest, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station Bulletin, Number 35.

Hironaka, M., and E.W. Tisdale. 1981. The Sagebrush-grass region: A review of the ecological literature. Forest, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station Bulletin, Number 33.

Jensen, M.E., J.P. Dibenedetto, J.A. Barber, C. Montagne, and P.S. Bourgeron. 2001. Spatial modeling of rangeland potential vegetation environments. Journal of Range Management 54:528-536.

Küchler, A.W. 1964. Potential natural vegetation of the conterminous United States. American Geographical Society, Special Publication No. 36. 116 pages.

Küchler, A.W. 1970. Potential natural vegetation (map at scale 1:7,500,000). Page 90-91 in The National Atlas of the U.S.A. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

Sharp, L.A., and K.D. Sanders. 1978. Rangeland resources of Idaho. Forest, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station Contribution, Number 141.

Tisdale, E.W. 1986. Canyon grasslands and associated shrublands of west-central Idaho and adjacent areas. Forest, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station Bulletin, Number 40.