Back to Idaho Bird Distribution
Latilongs are
the rectangular areas between adjacent meridians of longitude and parallels of
latitude. The Average dimensions of each
latilong are 47 miles (76km) wide and 69 miles (111 km) long. Each latilong has an average area of 3200
square miles (8436 sq. Km)
A major
advantage of using latilongs in biogeographic studies is that they are
unchanging units based on a global system.
This allows for long-term studies and conformity of national and
international scope. The Breeding Bird
Survey of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is based on latilong grids across
North America. Latilong maps allow
distribution patterns to be presented in concise and easily readable form.
Latilongs are readily identifiable on most maps. The use of latilong mapping is biogeographical studies is
increasing worldwide. Drawbacks to
using latilong mapping include the fact that they vary in size from north to
south, with about a 1.3% increase per latilong as they get closer to the
equator. State boundaries do not always
conform to meridians and parallels.
This results in latilongs much smaller than 3200 square miles, effecting several of Idaho's latilongs. Finally, latilongs are quite large resulting
in a scale too course for small geographic areas.
The Idaho bird
distribution study uses the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services system to identify
and number Idaho's Latilongs. Idaho contains
area within 29 latilongs. A small area
of Idaho is found in the Baker, Oregon latilong. This area is northwest of Weiser and includes the Olds Ferry and
Mineral areas. Records from this area are included in Idaho Latilong 330011,
but are marked as actually occurring in the baker, Oregon Latilong in the
database.
Twenty-eight
latilongs are assigned to Idaho and are numbered from 1, along the Canadian
boarder, to 28 in the southeast corner of the state (Bear Lake). These are numbered 33001 to 33028 using the
U.S. F&W Service system. Some of
the "Idaho" latilongs extend beyond the Idaho border. Only the Idaho portion of these latilongs is
considered in this study. For this
study the state boarder defines the western boundary of all latilongs along the
Washington and Oregon borders, and the eastern boundary of all latilongs along
the Washington and Oregon borders, and the eastern boundary of all latilongs
along the Wyoming border.
