Special Habitats

[ChristopherTracey]

As noted in #138 for subterranean species, specialized habitats for subterranean SGCN were left out of this draft of the tool. One of the main reasons behind this is that it was difficult to represent these habitats in the tool because of their overlap with the terrestrial habitat map. Cave systems can be extensive systems that extend for several hundred meters from a relatively small surface entrance. Similarly, seasonal pools that typically occur within a forested matrix, are difficult to represent as they are small and can occur in a number of associations. There's also a site sensitivity issue for both of these habitats, as they are associated with sensitive SGCN.

We've struggled with this a bit, but a relatively simple solution was present right in front of us (this is getting very typical). Here is the proposed solution:

1. For Caves, take the caves database and select all the PUs that are within 500m of the point. This could potentially be improved in the future if we are able to obtain a better dataset of cave location and extent beyond the points of cave entrances. Export these to a table.
2. For Seasonal Pools, we take the point dataset of vernal pool locations and select all the PUs that are within 300m of the point. Export these to a table.
3. Create a new table in the SQLite database called 'lu_SpecialHabitats'
4. Populate the table with PUID and a special habitats field.
5. Put this into the script after the habitats section.

[ChristopherTracey]

completed in #149

[ChristopherTracey]

Got it working and I can't believe how complicated I made this to be.

Need to get confirmation from C/D about sensitivity.

[ChristopherTracey]

Add in Sensitivity filter for the Commissions.

[ChristopherTracey]

Added in sensitivity although PGC and PFBC are both treated equally.

Next, I think we need some more explanatory text about sensitive habitats.

[ChristopherTracey]

Fixed. Needs a language improvement.