Gap analysis of animal species distributions in Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey

Gap analysis provides an overview of the distribution and conservation status of several components of biodiversity. There are five major objectives of the national Gap Analysis Program: (1) map actual vegetation as closely as possible to the Alliance level; (2) map predicted distributions of animals for which adequate distributional records, habitat associations, and mapped habitat variables are available; (3) document occurrence of vegetation types that are inadequately represented (gaps) in special management areas; (4) document occurrence of animal species that are inadequately represented (gaps) in special management areas; and (5) make all information available to resource managers and land stewards in a readily accessible format.