Conservation Focal Areas Version 1.0, Skylands Landscape Region, Edition 20171030 (Envr_hab_cfa_skylands)

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, Skylands Landscape Region, Edition 20171030 (Envr_hab_cfa_skylands)

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: 10

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Envr_hab_cfa_skylands

Entity_Type_Definition: Conservation Focal Areas - Skylands

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: Kittatinny Ridge CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The Kittatinny Ridge CFA features significant topography and ridgeline associated with the Appalachian Mountains, vast mature contiguous forests, and small to medium sized watersheds of remarkable water quality. Topography and geologic aspect have created a variety of unique habitats such as talus slopes and bare rock outcrop found nowhere else in the state, and the westerly slopes and lower elevations extending to the Delaware River contribute distinctive habitats including seeps, limestone fens, and hemlock ravines. Much of the Kittatinny Ridge is protected state and federal land. While the Flatbrook and other watercourses of medium drainage areas provide abundant aquatic resources, numerous additional watercourses of extremely small drainage areas flow directly to the Delaware River and support salamander assemblages found nowhere else in the state. Forest management that focuses on eliminating invasive plants and creating a habitat mosaic while retaining older forest stands could improve diversity in mid- and lower elevation habitats and benefit rare species.
The ridgetop features xeric communities such as pitch pine and chestnut oak that are generally of high quality and consist mostly of native vegetation. The ridgetop’s harsher conditions (e.g., wind exposure and thin soils) stunt some plant communities, creating a mosaic of habitats and species diversity. These communities could be in jeopardy due to fire suppression, as without fire they will be replaced by oak forest over time. Such a shift would shade out currently sun-exposed areas that are critical to rare reptiles and barren ground- nesting birds, and cause vegetative changes that could alter food resources for wildlife. The westerly slopes and lower elevations have been greatly impacted by the agriculture of early settlers, leaving behind nutrient poor soil with a plethora of invasive plants; however, these areas still include a diverse suite of habitats, including hemlock forests, springs, fens, ravines, and ephemeral wetlands, important to a variety of wildlife.
This CFA encompasses 7% of the Skylands Landscape Region at 36,446 hectares including 34,600 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 1,846 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Kittatinny Slope Mosaic CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The Kittatinny Slope Mosaic CFA showcases broad forest patches mixed with agriculture and grasslands in the shadow of the Kittatinny Ridge. The CFA is the bridge between the Kittatinny Valley Mosaic CFA and the Kittatinny Ridge CFA with distinctive geology and management needs. Bobcats travel along the slopes, and the bottomlands include the key Paulins Kill drainage tributaries that feature one of the most significant populations of a federally listed mussel species in the state along with wood turtles and trout streams. The higher elevations of the slopes feature xeric communities such as pitch pine and chestnut oak while the lower elevations are more representative of the overall Skylands Regional Landscape.
Fire suppression has been and continues to alter the mid- and higher elevation vegetation over time, converting the landscape to an oak forest that shades out the slopes and alters the thermal characteristics critical for rare reptiles and barren ground-nesting birds.
This CFA encompasses 3% of the Skylands Landscape Region at 15,700 hectares including 14,715 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 985 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Kittatinny Valley Mosaic CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The Kittatinny Valley Mosaic CFA supports many of the remaining undeveloped natural communities that are home to some of the state’s rarest terrestrial wildlife, such as the bog turtle. The value of this CFA is not only in what remains, but in its potential to link the largely protected Kittatinny Ridge and Highlands Core CFAs. The valley is characterized by expansive agriculture and grasslands among rolling forested hillsides and distinctive groundwater fed wetland complexes. The valley contains a mosaic of habitats ranging from small forest tracts to scrub-shrub habitats and agricultural grasslands.
Habitat conditions within the valley are representative of the overall Skylands Regional Landscape. While the wildlife habitat within this area is not considered poor quality, as a patchwork of natural lands among a more human-modified landscape, this area would benefit from restored connectivity to best provide live-in and corridor habitats for wildlife. Increasing forest management and broad restoration of inactive agricultural lands could increase overall biodiversity in this CFA.
This CFA encompasses 3% of the Skylands Landscape Region at 17,050 hectares including 16,107 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 943 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Wallkill Headwaters Wetlands CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The Wallkill Wetlands CFA is primarily protected federal and state land featuring lower gradient floodplain wetlands and connecting uplands between New Jersey’s portion of the lower Wallkill River Valley and Vernon Valley. These areas represent the largest intact river floodplains in the northern part of the state and are valuable for migrating passerines and resident species like Indiana bats, bronze copper butterflies, wood turtles, and blue-spotted salamanders. Breeding grassland birds and raptors thrive here as well. This majority lowland wetland CFA is also a key bridge to the more mountainous, adjacent Highlands Core CFA.
Habitats within this CFA are generally of good to moderate quality, although management of invasive plants and maintaining or increasing native plant community diversity along riparian floodplains would strengthen the overall resilience of this CFA. Portions of the critically important wetlands, invaded by non-native plants, within this CFA have unique restoration needs compared to those within the larger region and such restoration would benefit aquatic and semi-aquatic species. Agricultural practices threaten habitats and wildlife by contributing sediment, phosphorus, and fecal coliform to waterways.
This CFA encompasses 1% of the Skylands Landscape Region at 5,451 hectares including 5,272 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 179 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Highlands Core CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The Highlands Core CFA is composed of mostly protected contiguous high elevation forest. Timber rattlesnakes, bobcats, barred owls, and red-shouldered hawks all depend on these lands to sustain their populations. These are also key recovery areas for golden-winged warblers and other declining songbirds. A large portion of the Highlands Preservation Area is within the boundary of this CFA.
The habitats and conditions in this CFA are similar to those described for the Skylands Regional Landscape. They are generally of high quality but have fewer invasive plants than are found in the lower elevations of the Kittatinny Ridge CFA. However, diversifying forest age class and reducing forest-floor invasive plants would help secure wildlife populations and support colonization by additional animal species.
This CFA encompasses 14% of the Skylands Landscape Region at 75,140 hectares including 69,626 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 5,515 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Glacial Lake Passaic Wetlands CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The Glacial Lake Passaic Wetland CFA features bottomland hardwood floodplain complexes that remain in good condition. These wetlands are all within the Passaic River watershed and include vernal pool complexes that support blue-spotted salamander populations. There are few remaining undeveloped areas in this region.
Invasive plants and a lack of forest management imperil the persistence of wildlife diversity within this CFA. As such, habitat management including the treatment of invasive plants and selective forest management would greatly benefit the species diversity. In addition, streambank and riparian restoration may be beneficial in more flood-prone sections to reduce stream siltation and channelization.
This CFA encompasses 2% of the Skylands Landscape Region at 9,655 hectares including 9,309 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 346 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Raritan and Passaic River Headwaters CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The Raritan and Passaic River Headwaters CFA includes important aquatic areas in the North Branch Raritan River, South Branch Raritan River, and Passaic River watersheds. The Passaic River headwaters were included with the North and South Branches of the Raritan River in this CFA to distinguish the Passaic headwater areas from the lower gradient, floodplain dominated Glacial Lake Passaic Wetlands CFA. Both the Passaic headwaters and the expansive North and South Branch Raritan River headwaters feature moderate gradient streams of high water quality, narrow floodplains mixed with agriculture, and wooded hillsides.
The conditions within this CFA vary by area and watershed. Agricultural practices in headwater regions threaten aquatic habitats and wildlife by increasing sediment, phosphorus, and fecal coliform in waterways, and the lack of riparian buffers contributes to erosion and water quality degradation. Aquatic, semi-aquatic, and riparian species and their habitats are also threatened by point and nonpoint source pollution and flooding that erodes banks and scours stream bottoms. Streambank and riparian restoration may be beneficial in more flood- prone sections to reduce stream siltation and channelization.
This CFA encompasses 5% of the Skylands Landscape Region at 27,191 hectares including 24,829 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 2,362 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Northern Delaware River Tributaries CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The Northern Delaware River Tributaries CFA highlights predominantly aquatic and riparian corridors of the Musconetcong River, Pequest River, and Paulins Kill watersheds from their headwaters to confluences with the Delaware River. These watercourses feature extremely large drainage basins with broad floodplains that are often closely associated with agriculture. The CFA captures both aquatic areas and undeveloped buffer uplands. Dwarf wedgemussels, triangle floaters, longtail salamanders, and wood turtles are dispersed throughout these basins.
The conditions within this CFA vary by area and watershed. The Category 1 classification of many stream stretches indicates that these waterways are of high quality. There are dams scattered throughout the waterways, and much effort has been expended on dam removal projects (particularly along the Musconetcong River) to enhance fish migration, improve water quality, and help to eliminate flood hazards. Aquatic, semi-aquatic, and riparian species and their habitats are also threatened by point and nonpoint source pollution and flooding that erodes banks and scours stream bottoms. Streambank and riparian restoration may be beneficial in more flood-prone sections to reduce stream siltation and channelization.
This CFA encompasses 4% of the Skylands Landscape Region at 24,115 hectares including 22,430 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 1,683 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Hunterdon Plateau Delaware Valley Streams CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The Hunterdon Plateau Delaware Valley Streams CFA is focused on aquatic areas that largely consist of small drainages and moderate gradient streams that drain directly to the Delaware River. In otherwise highly developed areas, these riparian corridors often represent the best dispersal pathways for local wildlife. Longtail salamanders inhabit stretches of streams while breeding bobolinks, eastern meadowlarks, and grasshopper sparrows are present in adjacent grasslands.
The habitat conditions within this CFA vary by area and watershed. Much of the area is designated Category 1, indicating that these waterways are of high quality. Changing land use practices, the loss of stream buffers, and the addition of impervious surfaces continue to impact natural habitats and wildlife by increasing the likelihood of point and nonpoint source pollution into waterways. Also, flooding from extreme storms could erode banks and scour stream bottoms. The spread of the highly invasive Chinese pond mussels remains a serious threat to native freshwater mussels in Wickecheoke Creek and tributaries, and possibly the Delaware River.
This CFA encompasses 1% of the Skylands Landscape Region at 7,633 hectares including 6,480 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 1,152 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Picatinny Military Installation CFA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The Picatinny Military Installation CFA lies within the Highlands physiographic region. It is characterized by the bedrock features of Green Pond Mountain and includes Lake Denmark and Picatinny Lake. This federally managed military installation is home to rare reptiles, raptors, and songbirds, with bobcats also traversing the elevated terrain. Containing nearly 6,000 acres of ridgeline, slopes, and valley floor, approximately 70% of the installation is forested with only 19% developed.
Although much of the natural landscape is used for military training and ordinance testing, the habitats within this CFA are generally healthy forests that are largely protected from outside commercial and residential development. Habitat restoration for federal species is a management priority and restricted access to the installation protects against illegal intrusion by vehicles and wildlife poachers. However, as with many areas within New Jersey, diversifying forest age class and eliminating forest floor invasive plant species would help secure wildlife populations and support colonization by additional animal species.
This CFA encompasses 0.2% of the Skylands Landscape Region at 1,357 hectares including 1,201 hectares of terrestrial habitats and 156 hectares of aquatic habitats.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: NJDEP

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: VERSION

Attribute_Definition: Number used to track 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