GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Montana Animal Observations

Data Provider Montana Natural Heritage Program
Date
Content Type Offline Data
Abstract The Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP) maintains point observation data for plant and animal species in Montana. These databases include information on the location, status, characteristics, and dates of observation. All data are reviewed by Montana Natural Heritage biologists. The observation data form the basis for Species Occurences of Species of Concern.
Purpose Observation data are collected and maintained by MTNHP using a standardized methodology to provide accurate and current biodiversity and conservation information to public and private agencies and individuals. Uses of the data can include: natural resource management, conservation planning, environmental review, biological and ecological research, land acquisition, and economic development.
Supplemental Information Observations are updated on a continual basis as new data are received and reviewed.
Species observation and Species Occurrence data obtained from the Montana Natural Heritage Program are intended for use only by the individual or organization who requested it. Because MTNHP constantly updates and revises its databases with new data and information, products may become less accurate over time. Interested parties are encouraged to obtain the most current information possible from MTNHP, rather than using older products. We add, delete, and change records on a daily basis; consequently, we strongly advise that you update your MTNHP data sets every three (3) months for most applications of our information.Additionally, MTNHPdata do not represent comprehensive inventories of all species in all locations. These products are not intended to subsitute for field-collected data, nor are they intended to be the sole basis for natural resource management decisions. In order to document MTNHP's intent regarding how digital data should be used and to educate users regarding the extent and limitations of the data, MTNHP requires a signed acknowledgement that specifies appropriate and inappropriate uses of the data. A copy of this acknowledgement can be made available upon request.
Distributor Montana Natural Heritage Program
P.O. Box 201800
Helena, MT 59620-1800
Telephone: 406-444-5363
TDD/TTY:
Fax:
Email: mtnhp@mt.gov
Distribution liability The Observation database is a statewide inventory of known locations and conditions of plant and animal species. Users must recognize that parts of the state remain uninventoried or under-inventoried. Thus, "the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence", nor does the documented presence of one species imply that other species were surveyed for but not found. The Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP) products and services are based on biological data and the objective interpretation of those data by professional scientists. MTNHP does not advocate any particular philosophy of natural resource protection, management, development, or public policy. MTNHP has no natural resource management or regulatory authority. Products, statements, and services from MTNHP are intended to inform parties as to the state of scientific knowledge about certain natural resources, and to further develop that knowledge. They are not intended at natural resource management guidelines or prescriptions. Species range maps, habitat models, occurrence polygons, and other predictions of the spatial distribution of biological resources produced by MTNHP are objective extrapolations of credible data. They are intended to inform parties of the known occurrence or the likelihood of the presence of those resources, guide future surveys for those resources, and to test hypotheses regarding habitat quality and abundance. They are not intended to substitute for field-collected data, nor are they intended to be the sole basis for natural resource management decisions. We do not portray our databases as exhaustive or comprehensive inventories of rare species or of significant natural features. Field verification of the absence or presence of sensitive species will always be an important obligation of users of our data. MTNHP assumes no liability for the use or misuse of this data.
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Metadata date 08/04/2016

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