Spotlight Posters on National Park Resources
by
Web Editor
—
last modified
May 10, 2016 05:55 PM
Interpretive Text and Graphics for AppLCC Web Portal (conservation planning tools)
by
Data Needs Assessment Research Team
—
last modified
Dec 21, 2015 11:27 AM
Contributors:
Data Needs Assessment Research Team
We have provided some interpretation material and text for conservation planning tools. These programs have been grouped into broad, sometime overlapping purposes. These brief descriptions of the various conservation planning tools can be put up on the AppLCC web portal, for users to get an idea about the tools available and what purposes they could serve. We have alo provided other links, where users can get detailed information about the tool.
We have provided some interpretation material and text for conservation planning tools. These programs have been grouped into broad, sometime overlapping purposes. These brief descriptions of the various conservation planning tools can be put up on the AppLCC web portal, for users to get an idea about the tools available and what purposes they could serve. We have alo provided other links, where users can get detailed information about the tool.
Publication Date: 2014
DOWNLOAD FILE — PDF document, 1,020 kB (1,044,854 bytes)
Make up of LCCs across the Country by States
by
Trishna Dutta, Rob Baldwin
—
last modified
Dec 21, 2015 11:27 AM
Contributors:
Trishna Dutta, Rob Baldwin
List of number of states within each LCC.
List of number of states within each LCC.
Publication Date: 2014
DOWNLOAD FILE — Zip archive, 75 kB (77,421 bytes)
An Analysis of State Wildlife Action Plans in the Appalachian LCC
by
Rob Baldwin
—
last modified
Dec 21, 2015 11:26 AM
Contributors:
Rob Baldwin, Trishna Dutta
In this synthesis, we describe how the information contained in the individual State Wildlife Action Plans and conservation plans by other agencies can be linked together towards identifying opportunities to integrate state and local scale efforts into regional conservation framework for the AppLCC. Specifically, our aim was to quantify the objectivity and efforts across the 15 partner states. We are particularly interested in the commonalities of methodology and results across plans. Throughout the document, we integrate our previous efforts in this data needs assessment to figure out ways that state efforts can be upscaled to meet regional planning goals.
In this synthesis, we describe how the information contained in the individual State Wildlife Action Plans and conservation plans by other agencies can be linked together towards identifying opportunities to integrate state and local scale efforts into regional conservation framework for the AppLCC. Specifically, our aim was to quantify the objectivity and efforts across the 15 partner states. We are particularly interested in the commonalities of methodology and results across plans. Throughout the document, we integrate our previous efforts in this data needs assessment to figure out ways that state efforts can be upscaled to meet regional planning goals.
Publication Date: 2014
DOWNLOAD FILE — PDF document, 147 kB (150,590 bytes)
List of Conservation Planning Tools, Functions, and Relevance to AppLCC Conservation Planning Goals
by
Data Needs Assessment Research Team
—
last modified
Dec 21, 2015 11:25 AM
Contributors:
Data Needs Assessment Research Team
The number of conservation planning tools and approaches is a growing and dynamic field of research. Here, we present description and evaluation of 21 conservation planning tools. To reduce the complexity of the conservation planning tools we decided to take a functional-grouping approach. These six groups are: reserve planning, habitat connectivity, species distribution modeling and viability, planning process integration, threats and climate change. To do the review, we used our own knowledge of conservation planning software and approaches, surveyed the literature for references to published programs, and searched the internet for emerging programs. We have condensed this information into a table (Table 1) and used it as a springboard for further exploration and discussion.
The number of conservation planning tools and approaches is a growing and dynamic field of research. Here, we present description and evaluation of 21 conservation planning tools. To reduce the complexity of the conservation planning tools we decided to take a functional-grouping approach. These six groups are: reserve planning, habitat connectivity, species distribution modeling and viability, planning process integration, threats and climate change. To do the review, we used our own knowledge of conservation planning software and approaches, surveyed the literature for references to published programs, and searched the internet for emerging programs. We have condensed this information into a table (Table 1) and used it as a springboard for further exploration and discussion.
Publication Date: 2014
DOWNLOAD FILE — PDF document, 893 kB (915,083 bytes)
Appalachian LCC Data Needs Assessment Final Report
by
Trishna Dutta, Robert F Baldwin and Don Lipscomb
—
last modified
Dec 21, 2015 11:25 AM
Contributors:
Trishna Dutta, Robert F Baldwin and Don Lipscomb
This project was undertaken to evaluate existing datasets for the Appalachian LCC region, package relevant datasets, review of some of the most commonly used conservation planning tools, provide interpretive text and graphics for datasets and tools, and identify data gaps that could improve conservation planning in the Appalachian LCC. Additionally, we reviewed and analyzed State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAP) from 15 states that intersect with the LCC, and corresponded with the SWAP coordinators to get their input on summaries and information on the upcoming 2015 revisions.
This project was undertaken to evaluate existing datasets for the Appalachian LCC region, package relevant datasets, review of some of the most commonly used conservation planning tools, provide interpretive text and graphics for datasets and tools, and identify data gaps that could improve conservation planning in the Appalachian LCC. Additionally, we reviewed and analyzed State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAP) from 15 states that intersect with the LCC, and corresponded with the SWAP coordinators to get their input on summaries and information on the upcoming 2015 revisions.
Publication Date: 2014
DOWNLOAD FILE — PDF document, 11,041 kB (11,306,049 bytes)
Appalachain Landscape Conservation Cooperative GIS Datasets
by
Data Needs Assessment Research Team
—
last modified
Dec 21, 2015 11:18 AM
Contributors:
Data Needs Assessment Research Team
The Appalachain Landscape Conservation Cooperative Datasets are located in a folder named “AppLCC_USGS_ConicEA_Projection” and each theme has its own folder. Most folders have a layer file for displaying the raster datasets, however if there is more than one raster in the folder, it may be necessary to point the layer to the desired raster each time it is loaded. Also there are a few layer files and one geodataset (NWI) that will only work in ArcGIS 10.x. The layer file with the same name as the raster dataset should work in both ArcGIS 9.x and 10.x. In each case we attempted to download the latest (Spring 2013) revision of the dataset that completely covered the Appalachain LCC.
The Appalachain Landscape Conservation Cooperative Datasets are located in a folder named “AppLCC_USGS_ConicEA_Projection” and each theme has its own folder. Most folders have a layer file for displaying the raster datasets, however if there is more than one raster in the folder, it may be necessary to point the layer to the desired raster each time it is loaded. Also there are a few layer files and one geodataset (NWI) that will only work in ArcGIS 10.x. The layer file with the same name as the raster dataset should work in both ArcGIS 9.x and 10.x. In each case we attempted to download the latest (Spring 2013) revision of the dataset that completely covered the Appalachain LCC.
Publication Date: 2014
DOWNLOAD FILE — PDF document, 130 kB (134,130 bytes)
Species CCVA's Central Appalachian Subregion-1
Spreadsheet Subset One
Spreadsheet Subset One
DOWNLOAD FILE — application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet, 4,118 kB (4,217,121 bytes)
Video Presentation: Interactive Conservation Planning & Design
by
Matthew Cimitile
—
last modified
Sep 22, 2015 01:52 PM
This video presentation from Paul Leonard of the Appalachian LCC and Clemson University walks through the development of a regional conservation plan for the Cooperative using an interactive and iterative spatial prioritization framework. Using available data and modeling approaches, researchers from Clemson University developed a suite of conservation planning models that include site selection, ecological threat assessments, and broad ranging habitat and ecological connectivity analyses. The research team worked closely with steering committee-organized technical teams from each major region in our LCC to help guide the iterative feedback loops which informed the conservation design. The research team is now working on the second phase of this conservation planning and design modeling that will integrate aquatic and cultural resource components into the design work.
You can also watch the video on our Vimeo Channel.
Alternatives for Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Report to the Appalachian LCC
by
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Research Team
—
last modified
Aug 31, 2015 12:22 PM
Contributors:
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Research Team
How should the Appalachian LCC acquire information about the vulnerability of Appalachian species and habitats to climate change to share with its partners? This report summarizes the findings and recommendations of a seven-member Expert Panel that sought to answer this question identified as a major research priority. The Panel addressed three aspects of the question: the selection of species and habitats to assess, approaches to vulnerability assessment, and the availability of downscaled climate data.
How should the Appalachian LCC acquire information about the vulnerability of Appalachian species and habitats to climate change to share with its partners? This report summarizes the findings and recommendations of a seven-member Expert Panel that sought to answer this question identified as a major research priority. The Panel addressed three aspects of the question: the selection of species and habitats to assess, approaches to vulnerability assessment, and the availability of downscaled climate data.
Publication Date: 2014
DOWNLOAD FILE — PDF document, 1,326 kB (1,357,846 bytes)
Riparian Restoration Appendix 1: Canopy Cover Statistics
by
Riparian Restoration Research Team
—
last modified
Aug 31, 2015 12:20 PM
Contributors:
Riparian Restoration Research Team
Canopy Cover by State.
Canopy Cover by State.
DOWNLOAD FILE — application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet, 40 kB (41,066 bytes)
Hydrological modeling for flow-ecology science in the Southeastern United States
by
Web Editor
—
last modified
Jun 04, 2015 04:00 PM
Stream flows are essential for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems and for supporting human water supply needs. Integrated modeling approaches assessing the impact of changes in climate, land use, and water withdrawals on stream flows and the subsequent impact of changes in flow regime on aquatic biota at multiple spatial scales are necessary to insure an adequate supply of water for humans and healthy river ecosystems. The combined application of simple, large scale models with more complex, high resolution models has the potential to provide for more robust climate change impact studies, which focus on maintaining a better balance between the availability of water to support aquatic assemblages while conserving water for long-term human needs than using either approach in isolation.
Hydrological modeling for flow-ecology science in the Southeastern United States - Read More…
Developing long-term urbanization scenarios for the Appalachian and Gulf Coastal Plain and Ozarks LCCs as part of the Southeast Regional Assessment Project
by
Web Editor
—
last modified
Jun 04, 2015 03:58 PM
Traditional urban growth models are very localized and data-intensive and lack the capability to be applied across large regions, in response to these limitations the North Carolina Cooperative Research Unit began using the USGS SLEUTH urban growth model to develop urbanization scenarios as part of the Southeast Regional Assessment Project (SERAP). Extensive modifications of the model framework and calibration were undertaken that resulted in the ability to rapidly develop urbanization scenarios for very large regions, such as the Appalachian and Gulf Coastal Plain Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs). This new modeling effort allows LCC’s to address fundamental questions that affect conservation planning over decadal time scales.
Critically evaluating existing methods and supporting a standardization of terrestrial and wetland habitat classification and mapping that includes characterization of climate sensitive systems
by
Web Editor
—
last modified
Jun 04, 2015 03:57 PM
This project coordinates with partners to provide a systematic comparison of existing habitat classification and mapping products within the footprint of the Northeast Climate Science Center (NECSC), a merged and improved map product as far as possible, an evaluation of habitats vulnerable to climate change within the region, and recommendations for needed improvement in habitat mapping products for the future.
Connectivity for Climate Change in the Southeastern United States
by
Web Editor
—
last modified
Jun 04, 2015 03:56 PM
Climate change is already affecting biodiversity, changing the dates when birds arrive to breed and when flowers bloom in spring, and shifting the ranges of species as they move to cooler places. One problem for wildlife as their ranges shift is that their path is often impeded – their habitats have become fragmented by agriculture and urbanization, presenting barriers to their migration. Because of this, the most common recommended strategy to protect wildlife as climate changes is to connect their habitats, providing them safe passage. There are great challenges to implementing this strategy in the southeastern U.S., however, because most intervening lands between habitat patches are held in private ownership. We will combine data on key wildlife species and their habitats throughout the southeastern U.S. with new computer modeling technologies that allow us to identify key connections that will be robust to regional and global changes in climate and land use.
Connectivity for Climate Change in the Southeastern United States - Read More…
Communicating and Using Uncertain Scientific Information in the Production of ‘Actionable Science’
by
Web Editor
—
last modified
Jun 04, 2015 03:54 PM
Conservation practitioners must navigate many challenges to advance effective natural-resource management in the presence of multiple uncertainties. Numerous climatic and ecological changes remain on the horizon, and their eventual consequences are not completely understood. Even so, their influences are expected to impact important resources and the people that depend on them across local, regional, and sometimes global scales. Although forecasts of future conditions are almost always imperfect, decision makers are increasingly expected to communicate and use uncertain information when making policy choices that affect multiple user groups. The degree to which management objectives are met can depend on 1) how critical uncertainties are identified and accounted for, and 2) effective communication among user groups, scientists, and resource
managers.
Characterization of spatial and temporal variability in fishes in response to climate change
by
Web Editor
—
last modified
Jun 04, 2015 03:52 PM
Predicting population responses to climate change requires an understanding of how population dynamics vary over space and time. For instance, a measured indicator may vary among repeated samples from a single site, from site to site within a lake, from lake to lake, and over time. Although variability has historically been viewed as an impediment to understanding population responses to ecological changes, the structure of variation can also be an important part of the response. In this project, we will build upon recently completed analyses of fish population data in the Great Lakes basin to help predict how spatial and temporal variation in fish populations may respond to climate change and other important drivers.
Bringing people, data, and models together - addressing impacts of climate change on stream temperature
by
Web Editor
—
last modified
Jun 04, 2015 03:47 PM
Few previous studies have focused on how climate change may impact headwater systems, despite the importance of these areas for aquatic refugia. The lack of these studies has resulted in the majority of climate impact assessments focusing on conservation of ecological systems at broad levels, and has not focused on turning results into useful and actionable information for managers on the ground. A critical and timely research question is: “What data and modeling frameworks are needed to provide scientists reliable, climate-informed, water temperature estimates for freshwater ecosystems that can assist watershed management decision making?” This research will answer this through two primary activities: 1) gathering and compiling existing stream temperature data within the DOI-Northeast region and subsequent deployment of data loggers to areas where additional data are needed, and 2) an intercomparison of state-of-the-art statistical and deterministic stream temperature models to evaluate their ability to replicate point stream temperature measurements and model scalability to non-gaged sites with the Northeast region.
Assessment of terrestrial and aquatic monitoring programs in the Southeastern United States
by
Web Editor
—
last modified
Jun 04, 2015 03:46 PM
A significant challenge faced by climate scientists in the public and private sector is the need for information about the historical status of ecological systems expected to be influenced by climate change. The need is especially acute for reliable and complete information about monitoring networks maintained by government and non-governmental organizations and associated data. While many organizations monitor one or more aspects of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, these monitoring programs are seldom coordinated and information about both the networks and the associated data are not readily available. The DOI Southeast Climate Science Center is participating in an effort by multiple federal, state, and other organizations to develop a comprehensive and integrated assessment of monitoring networks associated with atmospheric, stream, and terrestrial ecosystems. The objective of this two-year project is to support the development of this assessment.
Assessing Forest Fragmentation from Marcellus Shale Gas Development
by
Matthew Cimitile
—
last modified
Jun 04, 2015 03:44 PM
Expansion of drilling sites and associated infrastructure to extract natural gas from the Marcellus shale deposits has the potential to significantly reduce existing forest cover across the Marcellus field and leave what remains in a fragmented state.
Assessing Forest Fragmentation from Marcellus Shale Gas Development - Read More…
Assessing climate-sensitive ecosystems in the southeastern United States
by
Web Editor
—
last modified
Jun 04, 2015 03:43 PM
The southeastern U.S. contains a unique diversity of ecosystems that provide important benefits, including habitat for wildlife and plants, water quality, and recreation opportunities. As climate changes, a better understanding of how our ecosystems will be affected is vital for identifying strategies to protect these ecosystems. While information on climate change affects exists for some ecosystems and some places, a synthesis of this information for key ecosystems across the entire Southeast will enable regional decision-makers, including the LCCs, to prioritize current efforts and plan future research and monitoring.
Assessing climate-sensitive ecosystems in the southeastern United States - Read More…
