Biogeographic Data Branch

Good management of scientific data is a critical issue for the Department. The Biogeographic Data Branch (BDB) performs a leadership, policy and standards setting role for biological and geographic data management activities for the entire Department, its contractors, and partner organizations.

BDB provides GIS support for all CDFW branches. This structure facilitates inter-branch teamwork and GIS workload balancing as changing conditions warrant.

BDB contains biological data development programs that are especially dependent and closely linked with GIS and emerging related technologies. These data development activities include vegetation mapping, rare species tracking, species range mapping, aggregation of existing incongruent data sources and decision support systems.

Biogeographic Data Branch (BDB) Programs

Conservation Analysis Unit (CAU) Projects:

  • ACE: Areas of Conservation Emphasis
  • Climate Change: Climate Change Vulnerability of Rare Plants
  • CWHR: California Wildlife Habitat Relationships

BIOS: Biogeographic Information and Observation System online mapping tool

CNDDB: California Natural Diversity Database

VegCAMP: Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program

GIS: Geographic Information Systems services and support

Branch Staff

BDB Staff List (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Legislative Reports

In 2007 the State Legislature required the Department of Fish and Game to identify high priority areas for vegetation mapping and to map known wildlife corridors in the state. The following report has been provided to the Legislature.

LAO Supplemental Report of the 2007 Budget Act, Item 3640-301-605 – Wildlife Conservation Board / Deptartment of Fish and Game (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Biogeographic Data Branch
Physical Address: 1700 9th Street, 4th Floor,
Sacramento, CA 95811
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 944209,
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
(916) 322-2493
BDB@wildlife.ca.gov

Mission

The mission of CDFW's Biogeographic Data Branch is to collaborate with others to collect, manage, analyze, and distribute biogeographic data for effective conservation and management of California's natural resources.