The persistence of a species involves more than just its existence in a location. Individuals need to be able to move around and gather resources (perform critical life activities), often in different habitats and amounts of space. These needs are functions of the ecological landscape. In an attempt to incorporate landscape elements into their conservation strategy, Natural Heritage Program uses another system of ranking, similar to the species and community elements. Landscape/Habitat Indicator Guilds (Guilds) are comprised of groups of species known to share not only habitat types but spatial requirements and restrictions. Species are selected for inclusion in Guilds based upon their sensitivity to habitat fragmentation, connectivity, and the quality of habitat. Thus, a species’ rarity is not necessarily a factor for inclusion in a Guild. Guilds are organized into “Core Areas” – segments of habitat that are still well enough connected to support the range and habitat requirements of the species within the guild.
Why is this important?
Core Areas include species’ feeding, resting and breeding habitats. This allows a measure of connectivity of critical areas for species and suites of species. Biodiversity is not a function of rare species exclusively, and this measure includes all species, regardless of their abundance within the landscape.
What does this measure show?
Core Areas function as a measure of landscape-scale conservation priorities. Some of the area is redundant with the Significant Natural Heritage Areas, but there are other areas important for habitat connectivity that are only represented in this measure (Figure 1). There is added emphasis, for example, on land outside of the immediate boundary of Jordan Lake that is not designated a Significant Natural Heritage Area.
Figure 1. Core Areas under conservation management in the Triangle.
Figure 2. Protected Core Areas – percent under conservation management by county and in Triangle.
Source: N.C. Natural Heritage Program; see Technical Notes (below).
Table 1. Core Areas located in each county (acres).
Chatham
Durham
Johnston
Lee
Orange
Wake
Triangle
147725
79066
8264
37903
46793
70425
390176
Source: N.C. Natural Heritage Program; see Technical Notes (below).
Authors & Reviewers
Authors:: Steve Allen, Jessica Stocking and Amanda Willis :: N.C. State University :: 2010.05.07
Reviewers:: Jacquelyn Wallace :: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Dr. Dean L. Urban :: Duke University
Dr. Christopher Moorman :: N.C. State University
Landscape Habitat/Indicator Guilds :: Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitat Assessment
Landscape Habitat and Indicator Guilds
What is this?
The persistence of a species involves more than just its existence in a location. Individuals need to be able to move around and gather resources (perform critical life activities), often in different habitats and amounts of space. These needs are functions of the ecological landscape. In an attempt to incorporate landscape elements into their conservation strategy, Natural Heritage Program uses another system of ranking, similar to the species and community elements. Landscape/Habitat Indicator Guilds (Guilds) are comprised of groups of species known to share not only habitat types but spatial requirements and restrictions. Species are selected for inclusion in Guilds based upon their sensitivity to habitat fragmentation, connectivity, and the quality of habitat. Thus, a species’ rarity is not necessarily a factor for inclusion in a Guild. Guilds are organized into “Core Areas” – segments of habitat that are still well enough connected to support the range and habitat requirements of the species within the guild.
Why is this important?
Core Areas include species’ feeding, resting and breeding habitats. This allows a measure of connectivity of critical areas for species and suites of species. Biodiversity is not a function of rare species exclusively, and this measure includes all species, regardless of their abundance within the landscape.
What does this measure show?
Core Areas function as a measure of landscape-scale conservation priorities. Some of the area is redundant with the Significant Natural Heritage Areas, but there are other areas important for habitat connectivity that are only represented in this measure (Figure 1). There is added emphasis, for example, on land outside of the immediate boundary of Jordan Lake that is not designated a Significant Natural Heritage Area.
Figure 1. Core Areas under conservation management in the Triangle.
Figure 2. Protected Core Areas – percent under conservation management by county and in Triangle.
Source: N.C. Natural Heritage Program; see Technical Notes (below).
Table 1. Core Areas located in each county (acres).
Authors & Reviewers
Authors:: Steve Allen, Jessica Stocking and Amanda Willis :: N.C. State University :: 2010.05.07
Reviewers:: Jacquelyn Wallace :: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Dr. Dean L. Urban :: Duke University
Dr. Christopher Moorman :: N.C. State University
Technical Notes
Conservation land files (conland0709.shp and easements0709.shp) were downloaded from www.OneNCNaturally.com.
Core Area data were provided by Stephen Hall, NC Natural Heritage Program.
Analyses performed in ESRI ArcMap 9.3:
Spreadsheet of Core Areas: