The Bighorn Habitat Assessment Tool: A Method to Quantify Conservation Value on Landscapes Impacted by Mining

We present a methodology to assess the conservation value of mitigation lands for desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) within landscapes impacted by historic and ongoing industrial uses. The Bighorn Habitat Assessment Tool (BHAT) was developed support adaptive management Cushenbury population located on north slope San Bernardino Mountains in southern California, USA. use novel formulation integrating results resource selection function analysis reclamation credits, reflecting degree which degraded habitat is enhanced benefit wild sheep. Our method seeks balance objectives simultaneously with economic development working mine landscape. Specifically, BHAT can be used (a) establish reserve providing maximum unique requirements sheep; (b) incentivize voluntary action industry ensure mining activities are compatible conservation; (c) allow evaluation multiple planning alternatives; (d) that future compensatory actions activity grounded best available science. transferrable other populations occupying mine-influenced sufficient data complete analyses.