Projects
Identifying & Assessing Habitat
Gulf of Maine Watershed Habitat Analysis
This GIS analysis identifies high value habitat
throughout the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Maine watershed for 91
species that regularly inhabit the Gulf of Maine watershed and meet
one or more
of the following criteria:
- Federally endangered or threatened species
- Migratory birds, diadromous (searun) and estuarine fish that are declining nationwide, or
- Migratory birds, diadromous and estuarine fish that have been identified as threatened or endangered by two or more of the three states in the Gulf of Maine watershed.
The analysis identifies, ranks and maps high value forested, freshwater wetland and estuarine habitat throughout the watershed. The results of the analysis have been incorporated in the statewide Beginning with Habitat initiative for pro-active community-based planning and habitat protection. Beginning with Habitat also incorporates habitat information from Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Natural Areas Program, and it includes other useful information on wetlands, riparian buffers and unfragmented blocks of habitat.
Perhaps the most powerful on-the-ground application of our Gulf of Maine GIS watershed habitat analysis is its utility in predicting which of the 91 species are expected to be on a selected parcel of land. Land trusts interested in protecting a piece of land that has significant habitat values for some of the 91 species can contact us, provide us with a map or shapefile that clearly delineates the parcel boundaries, and request a “habitat package." The "habitat package" includes:
- a landcover map, based on interpretation of satellite imagery,
- a habitat map that ranks biological values of the property for forest, freshwater, estuarine and grassland habitats,
- a table that identifies and quantifies the value of the parcel for each of the 91 species,
- a habitat analysis fact sheet that briefly describes the analysis, and
- a letter and information that helps you understand and use the information.
Our "habitat package" can provide you with helpful information in evaluating habitat values on the land, determining which funding sources might be most appropriate, supporting grant proposals and building local support for your project. For projects that appear to have high habitat value, we can also access additional biological data compiled by our office or state conservation agencies. All of the biological data can be invaluable in supporting grant applications for state and federal funding.
For more information:
- For a “habitat package” and other information on habitat protection initiatives, contact Bob Houston (207-781-8364 x11)
- Habitat analysis fact sheet (222K PDF): for those interested in a one-page project overview and a list of the 91 species included in the analysis.
- View a slide show to learn about the step-by-step process we used to complete the habitat analysis.
- For GIS users who want a CD with shapefiles and description of software requirements, GIS data and metadata, contact Bob Houston (207-781-8364 x11)
- Internet Map Viewer: provides additional information for users without GIS software interested in viewing data (not available as of 2008).
- Original technical report: a detailed description of the methodology, habitat models and metadata for species included in the analysis.
