- OVERVIEW -
What is Biodiversity?
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Biodiversity describes the variety of life in a given region. It may refer to the diversity of ecosystems, diversity of species, or the genetic diversity within a species.
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Purpose of the Atlas
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We created this Atlas in order showcase the unique biodiversity of the Los Angeles area. In addition to environmental information (e.g. climate, geology, land cover), the Atlas features distribution models of sensitive (e.g. endangered or threatened), iconic, and invasive species in LA. Distribution models show how suitable an area is for the species in question, depending on what the habitat is like.
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Interactive Maps
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The interactive maps in this Atlas contain what we call raster data, which means that each pixel in the map contains information for that specific area. Click on pixels for more information, toggle layers, or type in a local address (e.g. for your home, favorite park, school, etc.) to see what the environment is like there, or if it is suitable habitat for a certain species.
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Protected Areas
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Each map in the Atlas features California Protected Areas, which include wildlife refuges; Land Trust preserves; national forests; national, state, county, and neighborhood parks; and other open space. This layer can be toggled on and off so that changes taking place within and outside of these areas can be observed. More information about the California Protected Areas Database, which is maintained by GreenInfo Network, can be found at www.calands.org.