All the steps to predicting vertebrate distributions are in this flow chart. As you can see, the two primary steps are: 1) develop habitat preferences and, 2) develop a known range map. We then combine these in a GIS program, apply any additional layers if necessary, and create a map of predicted distribution. The final step, of course, is an accuracy assessment. Once we create a map for each native vertebrate species breeding within North Carolina we can combine them to develop maps of biodiversity.

This brings us to the final layer in the analysis: Land Management Status.