Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access

Abstract:

Multiple TIFF and layer files pertaining to Landscape ecological assessment of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed, located in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States, is experiencing rapid habitat loss and fragmentation from sprawling low-density development. The bay itself is heavily stressed by excess sediment and nutrient runoff. Three states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government signed an agreement in 2000 to address these problems. The commitments included an assessment of the watershed's resource lands, and targeting the most valued lands for protection. As part of this task, the Resource Lands Assessment identified an ecological network comprised of large contiguous blocks (hubs) of forests, wetlands, and streams, interconnected by corridors to allow animal and plant propagule dispersal and migration. Hubs were prioritized by ecoregion, by analyzing a variety of ecological parameters, including: rare species presence, rarity and population viability; vegetation and vertebrate richness; habitat area, condition, and diversity; intactness and remoteness; connectivity potential; and the nature of the surrounding landscape. I found that much of the watershed was still fairly intact, although this varied dramatically by ecoregion. Current protection also varied, and an assessment of vulnerability will help focus protection efforts among the most valuable hubs and corridors.
MORE INFORMATION - ftp://www.pasda.psu.edu/pub/pasda/chesbp/ENMethods.doc

Purpose:

Virginia Agreement charged the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP), a multi-jurisdictional restoration effort, with identifying resource lands in the watershed that provide wildlife habitat, have the highest water quality, cultural and economic value and are the most vulnerable to loss.

Currentness_Reference:

ground condition

Use_Constraints:

none

Address:

410 Severn Ave., Suite 109

Process_Description:

Metadata imported.

Address:

Tawes State Office Building E-2 580 Taylor Avenue

Distribution_Liability:

None

Format_Information_Content:

Thematic spatial data

Ordering_Instructions:

Please refer to http://dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/gis/data/

Ordering_Instructions:

Please refer to the Maryland Department of Natural Resource's Hardcopy Products Order Form found at http://www.msgic.state.md.us/techtool/license/index.htm for cost and availability information.

Format_Information_Content:

Thematic spatial data

Ordering_Instructions:

Please refer to www.msgic.state.md.us/techtool

Custom_Order_Process:

None

Address:

115 Land and Water building

Distribution_Liability:

The USER shall indemnify, save harmless, and, if requested, defend those parties involved with the development and distribution of this data, their officers, agents, and employees from and against any suits, claims, or actions for injury, death, or property damage arising out of the use of or any defect in the FILES or any accompanying documentation. Those parties involved with the development and distribution excluded any and all implied warranties, including warranties or merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose and makes no warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the FILES or accompanying documentation, including its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose. The FILES and documentation are provided "as is" and the USER assumes the entire risk as to its quality and performance. Those parties involved with the development and distribution of this data will not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the FILES or any accompanying documentation.

Ordering_Instructions:

www.pasda.psu.edu

Address:

580 Taylor Avenue, E-2 Tawes Bldg

Landscape Ecological Assessment of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed