Tools for balance: Using EEMS logic modeling to support conservation and renewable energy planning in California’s deserts

Background/Question/Methods

California’s deserts sustain unique ecosystems that support numerous rare and endemic species sensitive to human impacts. Much of this land is managed by public agencies, and the growing interest in developing these lands for renewable energy (primarily solar and wind) presents exceptional conservation challenges. Using the open-source logic modeling framework Environmental Evaluation Modeling System (EEMS), we modeled current landscape condition and conservation value at 1 km² resolution across 22.5 million acres of Southern California targeted by the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP). Our ecological condition model is based on the extent to which human impacts, such as agriculture, grazing, urban development, invasive species, and non-natural fire regimes, have disrupted the landscape. Our conservation value model is based on the geographic distribution of species and vegetation communities, diversity, and connectivity corridors. The overall goal of this study was to use logic modeling to integrate numerous datasets into spatially-explicit, transparent, updateable decision-support tools to help inform the DRECP's adaptive management strategy. 

Results/Conclusions

Our logic model results are accessible as online interactive maps, which show the conservation value and signature of human impact across the DRECP landscape at 1 km² resolution. Each logic model’s input data, intermediate layers, and final results can be explored via the DRECP Gateway, a Web-based portal developed using Data Basin (http://drecp.databasin.org/). In this virtual space, stakeholders, decision-makers, and the public can explore geographic information and access interactive planning tools. By compiling multiple layers of complex information into more easily digestible formats, we hope these logic models facilitate scientifically-sound, objective decision-making that helps ensure conservation of California’s deserts is coupled with development of a clean energy future.