Biodiversity Conservation

Transcription

1 Biodiversity Conservation and Site Plan Review Biodiversity conservation principles Threats to biodiversity Location of development Reviewing site plans Lunch Reviewing site plans (continued) LEED and biodiversity conservation Examples of effective programs

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3 General Biodiversity Assessment published materials organizations (e.g., MCA, Hudsonia) New York Natural Heritage Program Hudson River Estuary Program s Biodiversity Outreach Program Map resources topographic map soil survey orthophotos stereophotos

4 General Biodiversity Assessment Topo maps can indicate: intermittent streams floodplains springs & seeps steep slopes potential wet areas many other habitat features

5 General Biodiversity Assessment perennial & intermittent streams knoll & basin terrain (potential for IWPs)

6 General Biodiversity Assessment potential areas for riparian wetlands

7 General Biodiversity Assessment topographic signatures for locating habitats shown on right: steep slopes potential wet areas seepage slope depression intermittent stream

8 General Biodiversity Assessment soil maps & surveys

9 General Biodiversity Assessment Soil properties useful for predicting habitats: reaction (ph) drainage class texture depth to bedrock slope

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13 Rare Species Information For most sites, comprehensive field surveys have not been conducted; the enclosed reports only include records from our database. We cannot provide a definitive statement on the presence or absence of all rare or state listed species or significant natural communities within your study area.

14 Habitat Assessment Qualifications

15 Priority Habitats & Conservation Zones - Rare or important habitats - Choose focal species (or group) - Use that species requirements to designate Conservation Zone Intermittent woodland pool Pool-breeding amphibians Surrounding forest needed for survival (from scientific literature): 750 ft Conservation Zone: 750-foot radius from each pool

16 Conservation Zones Pool-breeding amphibians Intermittent woodland pool Surrounding forest needed for survival (from scientific literature): 750 ft Conservation Zone: 750-foot radius from each pool

17 750 ft (230 m) IWP

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24 Conservation Zones Pool-breeding amphibians Surrounding forest needed for survival (from scientific literature): 750 ft Conservation Zone: 750-foot radius from each pool

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27 Blanding s turtle kettle shrub pool

28 Blanding s turtle habitats Associated Wetland Habitats: Vernal (woodland) pools, flooded swamps, beaver ponds, other flooded wetlands Drought Refuge: Spring-fed natural or artificial ponds, or deep pools in wetlands Estivation Habitat: Wetland sediments, upland woods under logs or in shrub thickets, stream pools

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30 Conservation Zones Habitat Focal species Conservation Zone selected perennial streams wood turtle 650 ft other streams (various) 160 ft fen/calcareous wet meadow bog turtle 2500 ft kettle shrub pool Blanding s turtle 3300 ft intermittent woodland pool pool-breeding amphibians 650 ft oak-heath barren northern copperhead 1000 ft

31 Fen Conservation Zone Protect wetland footprint and 300-ft wide buffer from physical disturbance of soils or vegetation, and from applications of pesticides or fertilizers. In 2500-ft conservation zone: -- Avoid construction of new roads or driveways, wherever possible. -- Prevent alteration of groundwater or surface water flows. -- Prevent contamination of groundwater or surface water. Erik Kiviat

32 Protect wildlife habitat 185+ feet Mitigate flooding 135 feet Stabilize bank 30 feet Remove sediment, nutrients 85 feet

33 Cluster Development Often only thought of on site Some important positive aspects

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36 bad better

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40 (meadow)

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42 FEN FEN

43 FEN FEN

44 open space

45 open space

46 open space

47 Landscaping with Native Plants

48 Stormwater Management

49 Rain Gardens Detention Basins

50 Pitfall Hazards

51 Curbs and Storm Drains Photos from Menunketuck: Newsletter of Menunkatuck Audubon Society, May 2007

52 Cape Cod curb Illustration from C & C Concrete Curb Inc. PO Box 2873 New Britain, CT All Rights Reserved

53 Biodiversity Conservation and Site Plan Review Biodiversity conservation principles Threats to biodiversity Location of development Reviewing site plans Lunch Reviewing site plans (continued) LEED and biodiversity conservation Examples of effective programs