" [A] flaw I detected in other links is the range map shown by the state of Washington Gap Analysis process. You will note that in producing that map, they make several assumptions which are grossly in error. Quote, "Predicted habitat includes rivers and riparian areas and all forests. On the west side of the state, early seral (e.g. saplings) forests were not included."
"The errors in their assumption above are that they left out all grassland / prairie type habitat in W. Washington, similar habitat with sagebrush but with rock outcrops and the such in E. Wash. In excluding the early seral forests in W. Wash.(including areas that have been clear-cut), they omitted the best habitat for boas in that part of the state. The latter are far better habitat than are the dense coniferous forests of W. Wash. As such, their map grossly understates the range of the species in that state. You will note a cluster of 5 dots of locality records near the Idaho border near the southeastern part of Wash. but with very little green indicating favorable habitat. I would bet that area is mostly sagebrush/grassland habitat in higher elevation type hilly/rocky regions of E. Wash. With little or no forests and yet that type of habitat seems to have been ignored in their assumption that the boas are only associated with forests, and riparian habitat along streams and rivers."
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© 2001 by Ryan Hoyer.