|
Biological and Conservation Data (BCD) system
The Wildlife and Heritage Service maintains the largest, most comprehensive inventory of the state's rare species and natural communities. Nearly 6,000 distinct locations of rare species and unusual natural communities have been catalogued over the last 20 years. Data have been compiled from published and unpublished literature, herbaria and museum collections, interviews with scientists and local accomplished naturalists, and surveys conducted by Service biologists and contractors.
These data are stored and analyzed using a standardized information management methodology called the Biological and Conservation Data system. This system was developed by The Nature Conservancy in partnership with an international network of cooperating Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centres (Exits the DNR site). Because all members of the network use standardized data collection and storage methods, information gathered by the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service is an integral part of regional, national, and international planning efforts to preserve natural diversity.
Gap Analysis Project (GAP)
As part of the national Gap Analysis Program, the Wildlife and Heritage Service is conducting the Mid-Atlantic GAP (Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey). A detailed terrestrial vegetation map is currently under development using a floristic
cover type scheme, or alliance, as the descriptor. Models to predict distributions of all vertebrates which are not considered rare or endangered are developed based on the alliances. Along with this information, data layers showing land ownership and management status enable analyses relative to gaps in the protection of biodiversity. Further information about GAP may be obtained from the National Biological Service's GAP homepage http://www.gap.uidaho.edu/gap/ (Exits the DNR site).
Sensitive Species Project Review Areas (SSPRA)
SSPRA is a GIS data layer developed by the Service's Conservation Technology Program to aid DNR, other state agencies, and county planning offices in
reviewing projects for potential impacts to rare species and certain other species groups which are regulated in Maryland. SSPRA was developed by combining nine separate data layers to form a "one-stop shopping" polygon map for species which are considered rare or sensitive to development pressures. If you have a GIS system and are interested in learning more about or obtaining the SSPRA data layer, please read the
Sensitive Species Project Review Areas (SSPRA) Fact Sheet. If you know of the location of a rare animal or rare plant in Maryland, we would like to know about it. Our assessment of the health of Maryland's populations of vanishing species and natural communities depends on knowing how many places they still exist. Please take a moment to fill out the Rare Species Reporting Form, mark the location on a copy of an ADC County map, quadrangle map, or similar map, and mail it in to the address provided on the form. You can also call Lynn Davidson at 410-260-8563 or
send an email to ldavidson@dnr.state.md.us
if you would like to discuss your sighting. Your information would be passed
on to regional ecologists within the Wildlife and Heritage Service and would
be stored in the Biological and Conservation Data (BCD) system.
For more information, please contact:
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife and Heritage Service
Tawes State Office Building, E-1
Annapolis MD 21401
410-260-8540
Toll-free in Maryland: 1-877-620-8DNR, Ext. 8540
|
