ecological landscape analysis project background and status
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Ecological Landscape Analysis Ecological Landscape Analysis Project Project
Background and Status
Conservation Planning ChallengesConservation Planning Challengesin the West Gulf Coastal Plainin the West Gulf Coastal Plain
Establish landscape-level, population-based
habitat objectives for priority bird species
Characterize changes in habitat quantity and
quality over time
Determine the ecological potential of the
landscape to support particular bird habitats
West Gulf Coastal Plain Ecological West Gulf Coastal Plain Ecological Landscape Analysis ProjectLandscape Analysis Project
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Texas
Louisiana
Arkansas
Oklahoma
Texas
Louisiana
Why Ecological Characterization?Why Ecological Characterization?
==
??
Characterizing Ecosystem Change
and its Implication for Priority Bird Species
European Settlement 1992
Description of Ecological Description of Ecological Landscape Analysis ProjectLandscape Analysis Project
Based on Previous Project: The Nature Conservancy’s Connecticut River Watershed Project
Model Uses Biophysical Attributes: Geology, Soils, Digital Elevation Models (DEMS), Elevation, Slope, Moisture Regimes, etc.
Pilot Project Initiated: Subsection of West Gulf selected based on Rick Turner’s ( of TNC) expertise
Preliminary Model Developed: Described by Jake Cowart and modifications by Amy Keister
New Modeling Efforts with NatureServe: Based on Ecological Systems Classification
Characterize Ecosystem Changes andImplications to Priority Bird Communities
FS Subsections Geology Precipitation
SoilsElevation
WGCP Ecological Asssessmentand Characterization Project
WGCP Ecological Assessment and WGCP Ecological Assessment and Characterization ProjectCharacterization Project
Characterize Ecosystem Changes andImplications to Priority Bird Communities
Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
SlopeLand
PositionCatchment Area & Slope
= Moisture Index
Continuous fields derived directly from DEM
LandPosition
highesthighmiddlelow
> 3525 - 356 - 25< 6
Slope
WetMoistDry
Moisture
Discrete classes broken up from continuous fields
Hydrography
StreamRiverLake/Pond
Development of landform categories
Landform/Topo Features
Cliff Steep Slope Slope CrestUpper Slope Flat Summit SideslopeDry Flat Moist Flat Wet FlatCove/Draw Slope Bottom StreamRiver Lake/Pond
Elevation
> 4500 ft2800 to 4500 ft1700 to 2800 ft< 1700 ft
Lithology
Acidic SedimentaryCalcareousAcidic GraniticUnique
Ecological Land Units (ELU)
Ecological (Biophysical) Land UnitsEcological (Biophysical) Land Units
Current StatusCurrent Status
Our new partnership with NatureServeImprovements in Existing Floodplain ModelGround-truthing of terraces in ArkansasAdditional field work in other states to
verify modelRefine floodplain modelBegin work on upland model
NatureServeNatureServe
A non-profit organization representing a Network of 75 member programs and
partners
Parallel Endeavors of the LMVJV and NatureServeParallel Endeavors of the LMVJV and NatureServe
United States/International
ELAP
Ecological Landscape
Analysis Project
West Gulf Coastal PlainNatureServe Ecological Systems of the United States
ELAP
Advantages of building ELAP around a nationally recognized classification •Facilitate collaboration between Joint Ventures•Increases the chance that our work will persist
Ecological systems:Ecological systems:
represent recurring groups of biological communities that are found in similar physical environments and are influenced by similar dynamic ecological processes, such as fire or flooding.
intended to provide a meso scale classification unit that is readily mappable, often from remote imagery, and readily identifiable in the field.
Advantages of Ecological SystemsAdvantages of Ecological Systems
System occurrences lend themselves more readily to mapping by remote sensing techniques
Ecological systems are broad enough to allow general acceptance of their characterization by most experts
Fewer units = more conducive planning framework
Strategy for Modeling Ecological SystemsStrategy for Modeling Ecological Systems
Eco Regions
– Matrix Ecological Systems
• Linear and Large Patch Ecological Systems
West Gulf Coastal Plain - BCRWest Gulf Coastal Plain - BCR
Consists of 3 Eco-Regions
– Arkansas Valley
– Ouachita Mountains
– West Gulf Coastal Plain
- Proper
West Gulf Coastal Plain – Proper West Gulf Coastal Plain – Proper Eco RegionEco Region
Consists of 3 Matrix Ecological Systems
– Pine-Hardwood Forest
– Upland Longleaf Pine
– Wetland Longleaf Savanna and Flatwoods
Upland Longleaf Pine Upland Longleaf Pine Matrix Ecological SystemMatrix Ecological System
Consists of 10 Linear and Large Patch Ecological Systems
– Large River Floodplain Forest
– Small Stream and River Forest
– Pine-Hardwood Forest
– Mesic Hardwood Forest
– Catahoula Barrens
– Southern Calcareous Prairie
– Seepage Swamp and Baygall
– Wet Hardwood Flatwoods
– Dry Pine-Hardwood Flatwoods
Diagnostic ClassifiersDiagnostic ClassifiersEcological System Soil Geology Slope Position notes
Pine-Hardwood Forest variableUpland, ridgetops and adjacent side
slopes
Mesic Hardwood Forest variable steeper narrow ridge top and side slopes
Catahoula Barrens Catahoula flat known distribution mapable
Southern Calcareous Prairie deepflemming/cook
mountain rolling known distribution mapable
Seepage Swamp and Baygall highly acidic flat lowupland depression and wet creek
bottoms
Large River Floodplain Forest flat low alluvial, brown water
Small Stream and River Forest flat low alluvial, intermittent flooding
Wet Hardwood Flatwoodsfine textured,
hardpan flat lowerPleistocene high terraces, complex
of ridges and swales
Dry Pine-Hardwood Flatwoodsfine textured,
hardpan flat lowPleistocene high terraces, complex
of ridges and swales
WGCP – Ecological Systems ModelingWGCP – Ecological Systems Modeling
Eco Regions
– Matrix Ecological Systems
• Linear and Large Patch Ecological Systems
Current Landcover in the FloodplainsCurrent Landcover in the Floodplains
Urban1%
Herbaceous Wetlands
2%
All Others1%
Evergreen Forest
8%
Mixed Forest10%
Pasture/Hay10%
Deciduous Forest11%
Water12%
Woody Wetlands
33%
Cropland12%
Historic Historic LandcoverLandcover Current LandcoverCurrent Landcover AssumptionsAssumptions
Woody Woody WetlandsWetlands
EmergentEmergent
HerbaceousHerbaceous
WetlandsWetlands
WaterWater
Woody WetlandsWoody Wetlands No ChangeNo Change
Herbaceous Herbaceous WetlandsWetlands No ChangeNo Change
CroplandCropland ConversionConversion
Pasture/HayPasture/Hay ConversionConversion
UrbanUrban ConversionConversion
WaterWater Additional spatial data Additional spatial data neededneeded
Deciduous ForestDeciduous Forest Further research neededFurther research needed
Mixed ForestMixed Forest Further research neededFurther research needed
Evergreen ForestEvergreen Forest Further research neededFurther research needed
All OthersAll Others
Landcover Change Decision MatrixLandcover Change Decision Matrix
Landcover Change in the FloodplainsLandcover Change in the FloodplainsUrban
1%Herbaceous Wetlands
2%
All Others1%
Evergreen Forest
8%
Mixed Forest10%
Pasture/Hay10%
Deciduous Forest11%
Water12%
Woody Wetlands
33%
Cropland12%
No Change
Conversion
Further Research Needed
Additional Spatial Data Needed
ArkansasArkansas LouisianaLouisiana
OklahomaOklahoma TexasTexas
Unchanged
Conversion
Uncertain
Land Use and Land Use Change of Floodplains Land Use and Land Use Change of Floodplains in Lower WGCPin Lower WGCP
2,880,195 2,704,374
384,899 3,008,455
29%
45%
26%
13%
63%
24%
26%
50%
24%
25%
41%
34%
Applications of Ecological Applications of Ecological Characterization and AssessmentCharacterization and Assessment
Assesses the ecological potential of the landscape to support priority bird habitats
Compare ecological potential of the landscape to existing landscape conditions
Identify ecologically appropriate sites for habitat restoration
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