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Wildlife Key Areas
Wildlife Key Areas (WKA) are locations used by wildlife for critical, seasonal life functions. They are identified by interpreting observed locations of wildlife at key times of year, not through intensive habitat assessment.
For each wildlife species there are unique areas that serve a distinct purpose. For example, thinhorn sheep winter range is characterized as relatively snow-free, wind-swept, south-facing slopes that are important as foraging areas during this limiting time of year.
Many species, such as sheep, use key areas traditionally around the same time each year. Others, such as moose, will use them only occasionally when they are forced to by factors such as severe weather. Often animals aggregate in key areas in relatively large numbers, making populations vulnerable to direct habitat loss or disturbance. In either event the wildlife population would decrease, as would its likelihood of survival. For this reason key areas must be identified and protected.
Products created by the WKA Inventory program are available for general interest, proactive mitigation, or planning. WKA products are listed below.
Wildlife Key Areas Brochure
This brief brochure provides information on the Wildlife Key Areas program and products.
Wildlife Key Areas Brochure 
3.38 MB
Maps in PDF Format
(grouped by 1:250,000 scale National Topographic Series Tiles)
- Hard-copy prints for $20/map are available upon request to wka@gov.yk.ca
Documents that compliment the maps include:
- Wildlife Key Area – Standard Wildlife Sets
30 KB (species/taxon grouped for cartographic clarity)
GIS Data Packages
The Wildlife Key Area Inventory product is delivered to the GIS user community in two forms to meet specific user needs.
Each package contains:
- All of the key area polygons, compiled against 1:250,000 scale National Topographic Database, Natural Resources Canada in Yukon Government's standard albers projection
.
- Wildlife Key Areas Inventory User's Manual
- A technical manual specific to the data format
- Metadata
- A true type font (wkhanima.ttf) optionally used in labeling Key Area polygons.
Custom WKA maps can be produced by the user via any compatible GIS software, however please read the User's Agreement (18 KB) for the proper citation, disclaimer and data source statement, and further user obligations.
ESRI ArcGIS (Requires ArcGIS 9.3+)
File Geodatabase (FGDB)
- proprietary ESRI format that includes spatial and attribute data, and a relationship class (rc) with references.
Layer Files
- Layers simplify interpretation of Key Area polygons in ArcGIS 9.3.x.
- Layer files preserve queries, legend settings, and labeling
- Layer files are provided for each species/taxon group
- Users must re-point layer files to File Geodatabase location
Requires GIS software that recognizes the shapefile format
Shapefile (wildlife_key_area_values.shp)
- is a widely accepted format compatible with many GIS software.
- The shapefile, with the exception of references, contains all attribute data, including descriptive information and wildlife values.
References Table (wildlife_key_area_references.dbf)
- is linked to wildlife_key_area_values.shp via WKA_ID.
Contact the Wildlife Key Area Inventory Program Environment Yukon, Habitat Programs Government of Yukon Box 2703 (V-5R) Phone: 867-667-3739 Email: wka@gov.yk.ca |