Conservation Focal Areas Version 1.0, Atlantic Coast Landscape Region, Edition 20171030 (Envr_hab_cfa_coastal)

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Division of Fish Wildlife (DFW)

Publication_Date: 20171030

Title:

Conservation Focal Areas Version 1.0, Atlantic Coast Landscape Region, Edition 20171030 (Envr_hab_cfa_coastal)

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place:

P.O. Box 420 401 East State Street 1st floor , Trenton, NJ, 08625, US

Publisher:

State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Division of Information Technology (DOIT), Bureau of Geographic Information Systems (BGIS)

Other_Citation_Details:

The NJDEP may distribute GIS data in a variety of formats, such as the ESRI shapefile and/or various versions of the file geodatabase format. The data also may be available for viewing on various profiles of the NJ GeoWeb online mapping application.

Online_Linkage: <http://www.nj.gov/dep/gis/listall.html>

Online_Linkage: <http://www.nj.gov/dep/gis/geowebsplash.htm>

Description:

Abstract:

Conservation Focal Areas are key geographic areas for the conservation of wildlife in New Jersey. These are the portions of the landscape regions that are of particular conservation interest to the Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and its conservation partners because they have important habitats and species assemblages, and represent the best opportunities for protecting, restoring, and sustaining New Jersey's wildlife diversity. They also include important opportunities for habitat connectivity, a critical factor in increasing resilience in a changing landscape. DFW will use CFAs to further identify geographically-based threats to New Jersey’s wildlife habitats and develop actions that will address those threats. In addition, DFW will regularly review and improve CFA maps as new data become available and as new insights are shared by the public and conservation partners.

Purpose:

To address broader scale planning needs, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, with input from partners, identified Conservation Focal Areas (CFAs) in New Jersey. CFAs are specific areas of New Jersey’s geography that feature some of the state’s highest value habitats and present important opportunities for effective conservation action. They will allow for the consideration of threats and actions from a geographic perspective that will benefit key wildlife habitats generally and, in turn, virtually all Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Further, CFAs include important opportunities for habitat connectivity, a critical factor in increasing resilience in a changing landscape. With their rich mix of important habitats and diverse species assemblages, CFAs are designed to represent some of the best opportunities for protecting, restoring, and sustaining New Jersey’s wildlife diversity.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 20171030

Currentness_Reference: Publication Date

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -75.649146

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -73.881785

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.358459

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.791766

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category

Theme_Keyword: biota

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: EPA GIS Keyword Thesaurus

Theme_Keyword: Conservation

Theme_Keyword: Ecosystem

Theme_Keyword: Natural Resources

Theme_Keyword: Ecology

Theme_Keyword: Exposure

Theme_Keyword: NJDEPTrentonMetadata

Theme_Keyword: Water

Theme_Keyword: Marine

Theme_Keyword: Landscape

Theme_Keyword: Environment

Theme_Keyword: public

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Place_Keyword: New Jersey

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

This data set is a product of New Jersey's Wildlife Action Plan. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Data Distribution Agreement. The data provided herein are distributed subject to the following conditions and restrictions: NJDEP assumes no responsibility to maintain them in any manner or form and disclaims any duty or obligation to either maintain availability of or to update the data.
Terms of Agreement
1. All data is provided, as is, without any representation or warranty of any kind, implied, expressed or statutory including, but not limited to, the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, merchantability or fitness for a particular use, freedom from computer virus nor are any such warranties to be implied with respect to the digital data layers furnished hereunder. User is responsible for understanding the accuracy limitations of all digital data layers provided herein, as documented in the accompanying cross-reference files (see SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION). Any reproduction or manipulation of the above data must ensure that the coordinate reference system remains intact.
2. Digital data received from the NJDEP may not be reproduced or redistributed without all the metadata provided.
3. Any maps, publications, reports, or other documents produced as a result of this project that utilize this digital data will credit the NJDEP's Geographic Information System (GIS) as the source of the data with the following credit/disclaimer: "This (map/publication/report) was developed using New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Geographic Information System digital data, but this secondary product has not been verified by NJDEP and is not state-authorized or endorsed."
4. NJDEP makes no warranty that digital data are free of Copyright or Trademark claims or other restrictions or limitations on free use or display. Making a copy of this data may be subject to the copyright of trademark laws.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:

State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP).

Contact_Person: Patrick Woerner

Contact_Position: GIS Specialist

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical

Address: 1 Eldridge Road

City: Upper Freehold Township, Robbinsville

State_or_Province: NJ

Postal_Code: 08691

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 609-259-6967

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 609-259-8155

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: Patrick.Woerner@dep.nj.gov

Native_Data_Set_Environment:

Microsoft Windows 7 Version 6.1 (Build 7601) Service Pack 1; Esri ArcGIS 10.3.1.4959

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)

Publication_Date: 20150217

Title: NJDEP 2012 Land Use/Land Cover Update

Edition: 20150217

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Trenton, NJ

Publisher: NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)

Online_Linkage: <http://www.nj.gov/dep/gis/lulc12.html>

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

ESRI's Summary Statistics tool was run to ensure no inappropriate or duplicate records. Frequencies were run on all fields for Null or inappropriate values.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Tests for integrity have been performed. ESRI's Repair Geometry was run on this feature class, no errors were encountered.

Completeness_Report: Repair Geometry was run on data to ensure topological accuracy.

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

Data of different scales and accurracies were converted to a 30' grid. Features mapped from digital imagery having a ground accuracy of +/- four feet.

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Phase 1 Process Summary: Compiled ~40 inputs spanning terrestrial, freshwater aquatic and marine environments from state and regional sources. Performed conversion, re-scaling and reclassification so that each input was standardized into 30’ cells. Categorized data into five geodatabases: Ecological Condition, Conservation Infrastructure, Fish and Wildlife Habitats, Biodiversity, and Negative Influences. Assigned relative importance (weights) to each input.

Process_Date: 20170503

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Phase 2 Process Summary: Performed weighted co-occurrence analysis that combines inputs to identify areas where several different qualities are present (“resource-rich” areas). Stratified by Landscape Regions (calculated percentile ranks relative to each region) in order to have even distribution of areas between regions.

Process_Date: 20170504

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Phase 3 Process Summary: Extracted percentile > 70 in each Landscape Region. Applied minimum size criteria to identify core areas. Applied connectivity rules to select key connections between high value areas. Ran basic generalization/simplification processes to provide protective buffers and smooth boundaries of areas. Utilized Nature’s Network (<http://naturesnetwork.org/>) data on terrestrial and aquatic cores as guide to add in areas not captured. Erased all areas coded as “urban” in 2012 land-use/land-cover. Applied minimum size criteria to all contiguous areas.

Process_Date: 20170505

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector

Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

SDTS_Terms_Description:

SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Complete chain

Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 6

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Envr_hab_cfa_coastal

Entity_Type_Definition: Conservation Focal Areas - Coastal

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: NJDEP FISH AND WILDLIFE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: OBJECTID

Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Shape

Attribute_Definition: Feature geometry.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Coordinates defining the features.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CFA_ID (Alias: Conservation Focal Area ID)

Attribute_Definition: Unique ID assigned to each Conservation Focal Area

Attribute_Definition_Source: NJDEP FISH AND WILDLIFE

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unique numeric ID assigned to each Conservation Focal Area

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CFA_Name (Alias: Conservation Focal Area)

Attribute_Definition: Name of Conservation Focal Area

Attribute_Definition_Source: NJDEP FISH AND WILDLIFE

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sandy Hook CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

This CFA is composed of habitat within the Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit which is National Park Service property. Although the park is heavily used for recreation, there are portions of it that remain highly suitable for wildlife. As a largely undeveloped barrier island, it offers some of the most mature maritime forest habitat left in the state. It plays an important role for endangered wildlife species, such as piping plover (where in some years more than half the state’s population resides) as well as endangered plant species such as sea-beach amaranth. The habitat provides excellent stopover habitat for migrating passerines and shorebirds as evidenced by its designation as a globally significant Important Bird Area.
Although Sandy Hook receives some of the most intense recreational use in the state, the habitats in this CFA are generally intact, which leads to both greater quality and more availability than the fragmented beaches and marshes found elsewhere in the coastal zone. Its wide diversity of habitats (including beaches, secondary dunes, maritime forests, and bayside shoreline) provides important opportunities for wildlife in the northern portion of New Jersey’s coast.
This CFA encompasses 0.5% of the Atlantic Coast Landscape Region at 605 hectares including 602 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 3 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Greater Barnegat Bay CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

This CFA includes lands around the Manasquan River, Barnegat Bay, Manahawkin Bay, and Little Egg Harbor Bay. Island Beach State Park, one of the longest expanses of undeveloped barrier islands in the state, is an important stopover habitat for migrating passerines. The marsh and bay habitats in this CFA provide some of the most important areas for nesting ospreys, terns, and gulls, and many aquatic species use this area for early life stages. Important Bird Areas of state significance are designated within this CFA.
Similar to the Sandy Hook CFA, the habitats in this CFA experience intensive recreational use, but there is less development than elsewhere along the Atlantic coast. Because of this, the CFA’s habitats (including marsh islands, maritime forests, and beaches) are still highly suitable for wildlife.
This CFA encompasses 14% of the Atlantic Coast Landscape Region at 18,103 hectares including 10,166 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 7,937 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Great Bay Region CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

This CFA is dominated by the most critical coastal habitat remaining in the state, most of which is owned by the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife or the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Unlike other CFAs in the coastal landscape, the habitats here are both largely undeveloped and subject to stricter regulations regarding human disturbance. A large portion of the CFA falls within the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, some of which is designated Wilderness Area. This protection has allowed the area to flourish under primarily nature- based forces (versus the human generated stabilization efforts that are commonplace elsewhere along the coast). Holgate, Little Beach, and North Brigantine Natural Areas compose a trifecta of exemplary habitats for barrier island species such as piping plovers, least terns, and diamondback terrapins. The marsh islands in this CFA provide nesting habitat for long-legged wading birds, ospreys, terns, skimmers, and gulls. Migratory shorebirds find refuge on the beaches and marsh mudflats during both spring and fall migrations. In addition to having multiple state-significant Important Bird Areas, one in the Mullica River Corridor is continentally significant while another in Holgate is globally significant.
This CFA contains the best coastal habitats in the Atlantic Coast Landscape Region. Its undeveloped barrier islands and extensive marsh islands provide some of the most expansive natural areas left on New Jersey’s coast.
This CFA encompasses 15% of the Atlantic Coast Landscape Region at 19,203 hectares including 14,113 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 5,091 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Greater Atlantic City Coastal Bays CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The habitats in this CFA are characterized by a transition from northern areas (which are dominated by open water dotted with small islands) to southern areas in which large expanses of marsh divide the open water into smaller bodies. It includes habitats from the lands around Lakes Bay, Shelter Island Bay, Scull Island, Great Egg Bay, and Pecks Bay. This CFA contains some of the most developed coastline in the state and counts Atlantic City, Ventnor, and Ocean City among the municipalities within its boundaries. Nonetheless, long-standing and important habitats exist – primarily on the marsh islands – for long-legged wading birds, ospreys, terns, and skimmers. It also includes some beachfront areas that provide habitat for species like piping plover and American oystercatcher, though these areas are under heavy pressure from human development and disturbance.
The habitat conditions of this CFA are poorer than other CFAs in the Atlantic Coast Landscape Region due to extensive development and modifications (such as extensive ditching of the marshes). That said, some intact habitats do exist in the CFA, especially on smaller marsh islands (which were not ditched) where species concentrate.
This CFA encompasses 2% of the Atlantic Coast Landscape Region at 2,355 hectares including 1,843 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 512 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cape May Peninsula CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The habitats in this CFA are similar to the Greater Atlantic Coastal Bays CFA in that there are wide expanses of marsh with smaller areas of open water in the back bays (although much of these habitats have been ditched and now provide limited benefit to wildlife). However, the scale of development is slightly less and the area features inlet systems that are either not stabilized with jetties (notably Corson’s and Hereford Inlets) or are adjacent to habitat largely protected by federal agencies (particularly the Cape May Inlet). These unestablished inlets are the foundation for the most suitable habitat that occurs in the coastal landscape for beach nesting birds and migratory shorebirds. The area’s proximity to Delaware Bay further enhances its importance to migratory shorebirds and long-legged wading birds, as they are known to cross the landmass to use both coastal sides of the peninsula. In addition, the funneling effect of the peninsula means that migratory bird species of many genera (including those in the waterbird, passerine, and raptor groups) utilize the area for migratory and stopover purposes.
The habitats in this CFA are, on the whole, in better condition than most of the areas in the Atlantic Coast Landscape Region though not as good as those in other CFAs, such as in the Great Bay Region CFA. The larger bays allow for increased isolation of the marsh islands, which decreases the effects of human disturbance and development, and its geographical positioning makes it particularly important for coastal wildlife. However, intense human development has reduced it from functioning at peak potential.
This CFA encompasses 10% of the Atlantic Coast Landscape Region at 12,875 hectares including 10,026 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 2,849 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Shark and Navesink Rivers Watershed (Atlantic Coast) CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

This CFA area includes lower portions of the Navesink River watershed, including Monmouth County’s Hartshorne Woods Park. While this CFA has been mapped within the Atlantic Coast Landscape Region, it is functionally equivalent to, and an appendix of, the Piedmont/Inner Coastal Plain Landscape Region’s Shark and Navesink Rivers Watershed (Piedmont/Inner Coastal Plain) CFA. Please refer to that section for a description of the CFA’s habitat types, conditions, and values.
This CFA encompasses 0.4% of the Atlantic Coast Landscape Region at 467 hectares including 358 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 109 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: VERSION

Attribute_Definition: Number used to track CFA version

Attribute_Definition_Source: NJDEP FISH AND WILDLIFE

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Version 1.0

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: REGION_ID

Attribute_Definition: Unique ID for each Landscape Region

Attribute_Definition_Source: NJDEP FISH AND WILDLIFE

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unique ID for each Landscape Region

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: REGION

Attribute_Definition: The Landscape Region name of the polygon

Attribute_Definition_Source: NJDEP FISH AND WILDLIFE

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Coastal

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Atlantic Coastal Landscape Region

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP FISH AND WILDLIFE

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Delaware Bay

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Delaware Bay Landscape Region

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP FISH AND WILDLIFE

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Piedmont Plains

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Piedmont/Plains Landscape Region

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP FISH AND WILDLIFE

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Pinelands

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Pinelands Landscape Region

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP FISH AND WILDLIFE

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Skylands

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Skylands Landscape Region

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP FISH AND WILDLIFE

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Marine

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Marine Landscape Region

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP FISH AND WILDLIFE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: HECTARES

Attribute_Definition: hectares of feature

Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ACRES

Attribute_Definition: acres of feature

Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Shape_Length

Attribute_Definition: Length of feature in internal units.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Shape_Area

Attribute_Definition: Area of feature in internal units squared.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

Delineating Conservation Focal Areas
The DFW enlisted internal and external stakeholders to inform the selection of GIS data and the method of analysis employed to delineate Conservation Focal Areas (CFAs). A wide variety of GIS data addressing biodiversity and habitat quality, connectivity, rarity and/or impairment within terrestrial, freshwater aquatic, and marine environs were found to be available at statewide and regional scales. To provide a regional context, the Department utilized a variety of conservation planning data compiled by the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative (NALCC). Relevant regional data developed by NALCC partners included TNC’s Geospatial Condition Analysis and UMass’s Northeast Index of Ecological Integrity. These and other regional datasets served to complement the host of publicly available conservation-relevant state and local data in New Jersey. As applicable, a number of unpublished or derivative datasets were also utilized in developing CFAs.
The DFW decided to employ a weighted co-occurrence analysis that combines many independent datasets with different metrics to identify areas of high resource value. With some additional spatial optimization techniques, this approach allowed for the identification of specific geographic areas of agreement across a diverse set of geospatial data and metrics. These areas will be the focus of the DFW’s assessment of threats and actions affecting New Jersey’s wildlife habitats, and will identify locations where conservation actions can be carried out to benefit high priority fish and wildlife resources throughout the state.
General GIS Method – Phase 1 Once specific datasets were identified as having significant relevance to the CFA mapping objectives, data was acquired and necessary conversion and standardization processes were carried out in preparation for conducting a co-occurrence analysis. Where necessary, data were rescaled to New Jersey and reclassified into 30’ grid cells. Inputs were then organized by three environments (terrestrial, freshwater aquatic, and marine) and into five categories (ecological condition, conservation infrastructure, fish and wildlife habitats, biodiversity, and negative influences). For each input, metrics were reviewed by DFW biologists and converted into a standard weighting system which normalized all datasets to address the objectives of the CFA mapping process. Accordingly, weights were assigned following a standardized five tier scale (“5” being the highest value and “1” being the lowest) based upon factors which included (but were not limited to): the relevance of the data layer to our CFA mapping objectives, the degree to which the "regional" datasets addressed habitat values or conditions that were specific to New Jersey, and the original range of the source dataset values. The exception to the positive five tier scale included negative weights that ranged from -10 to -1 and a “restricted” category that excluded an area from being mapped as a CFA regardless of its intersection with one or more resource elements with positive values. Additionally, as the final mapping effort was based upon the “additive mapping” of valued habitats, the proportion to which any one dataset addressed a specific mapping objective needed to be factored in (i.e., if several datasets existed that were correlated with one specific issue, individual dataset weights were reduced to address confounding influences).
Phase 1 Process Summary: Compiled ~40 inputs spanning terrestrial, freshwater aquatic and marine environments from state and regional sources Performed conversion, re-scaling and reclassification so that each input was standardized into 30’ cells Categorized data into five geodatabases: Ecological Condition, Conservation Infrastructure, Fish and Wildlife Habitats, Biodiversity, and Negative Influences Assigned relative importance (weights) to each input
General GIS Method – Phase 2 Once inputs were reclassified according to assigned weights into 30’ grid cells, a (weighted) co- occurrence analysis was performed that calculated the sum of all inputs. The resultant grid was then stratified by Landscape Region and rescaled by calculating percentile values for each cell relative to every other cell within the region. Cells were reclassified according to percentile ranks. For example, percentile values 0.90-1.00 were classified as the 90th percentile, 0.80-0.89 were classified as the 80th percentile and so forth.
Phase 2 Process Summary: Performed weighted co-occurrence analysis that combines inputs to identify areas where several different qualities are present (“resource-rich” areas). Stratified by Landscape Regions (calculated percentile ranks relative to each region) in order to have even distribution of areas between regions
General GIS Method – Phase 3 Areas that represented the top 70 percent of the data within each region were extracted and converted to vector data made up of contiguous polygons. Terrestrial areas smaller than 3.14 acres were removed from the result (there was no size threshold applied to aquatic areas). The remaining polygons served as core areas from which geoprocessing routines were applied to identify key connections (e.g., riparian corridors) and proximate areas within the 50th percentile or above. Identified areas were combined/dissolved with the core areas and generalization routines were run to create protective buffers and smooth boundaries of resultant contiguous polygons. Nature’s Network (<http://naturesnetwork.org/>) data on terrestrial, wetland and aquatic cores developed during the process of creating CFAs was used as a guide to incorporate some additional areas that were not captured in the initial CFA delineation. Lastly, urban areas were erased from the result and a minimum size threshold of 3.14 acres was applied to all contiguous areas.
Phase 3 Process Summary: Extracted percentile > 70 in each Landscape Region Applied minimum size criteria to identify core areas Applied connectivity rules to select key connections between high value areas Ran basic generalization/simplification processes to provide protective buffers and smooth boundaries of areas Utilized Nature’s Network (<http://naturesnetwork.org/>) data on terrestrial and aquatic cores as guide to add in areas not captured Erased all areas coded as “urban” in 2012 land-use/land-cover Applied minimum size criteria to all contiguous areas
A graphic that depicts the Conservation Focal Area development process is available at: <http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/wap/pdf/cons_focal_areas.pdf>

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: <http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/waphome.htm>

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Planar:

Grid_Coordinate_System:

Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: State Plane Coordinate System 1983

State_Plane_Coordinate_System:

SPCS_Zone_Identifier: 2900

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:

State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Division of Information Technology (DOIT), Bureau of Geographic Information Systems (BGIS)

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical

Address: 401 East State Street

City: Trenton

State_or_Province: NJ

Postal_Code: 08625

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 609-777-0672

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 609-292-7900

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: gisnet@dep.nj.gov

Contact_Instructions: <http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/ensphome.htm>

Distribution_Liability:

This data set is a product of New Jersey's Wildlife Action Plan. The State of New Jersey makes great effort to provide secure, accurate, and complete data and metadata. However, portions of the data and metadata may be incorrect or not current. Any errors or omissions should be reported for investigation. The State of New Jersey, its officers, employees or agents shall not be liable for damages or losses of any kind arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of data and metadata, including but not limited to, damages or losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy or timeliness of any such data and metadata, or damages incurred from the viewing, distributing, or copying of those materials. The data and metadata are provided "as is." No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed, or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from computer virus, is given with respect to the data and metadata, or its hyperlinks to other Internet resources. The State disclaims any duty or obligation either to maintain availability of or to update the data and metadata.

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name:

DEP distributes ESRI .SHP and/or GDB. Some data may be NJ GeoWeb "display only" layers.

Format_Version_Number: latest version

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name: <http://www.nj.gov/dep/gis/listall.html>

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name: <http://www.nj.gov/dep/gis/geowebsplash.htm>

Fees: none

Ordering_Instructions: none

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20170911

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:

State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP).

Contact_Person: Patrick Woerner

Contact_Position: GIS Specialist

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical

City: Upper Freehold Township, Robbinsville

State_or_Province: NJ

Postal_Code: 08691

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 609-259-6967

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 609-259-8155

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: Patrick.Woerner@dep.nj.gov

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

Metadata_Time_Convention: local time