Maryland's Habitat Connectivity Network
Mapping Maryland’s Habitat Connectivity Network
The Habitat Connectivity Network (HCN), based on principles of landscape ecology and conservation biology, identified an ecological network using satellite imagery to characterize land cover, Geographic Information System (GIS) data on road, stream, wetland and other resource features, and biological databases. The model and resulting maps were peer reviewed by scientists and local government staff. Non-natural gaps in the GI were identified as potential candidates for restoration activities.
When complete, the HCN map comprised approximately 2.2 million acres in hubs and roughly 170,000 acres of corridors, totaling about 38% of the State’s land area. The network captures nearly all of Maryland’s most important ecological lands.
Data and Mapping
HCN data and maps are readily available for agencies and organizations interested in conserving Maryland’s critical natural resources.
The GreenPrint map displays Targeted Ecological Areas (TEAs), lands and watersheds of high ecological value that have been identified as conservation priorities by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It also displays information about four of Maryland’s most active State operated land conservation programs: Program Open Space (POS) - Stateside, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF), the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET), and the Rural Legacy Program. The TEAs were developed in 2008 and then updated in 2011. This map shows the 2011 version of the TEAs. Therefore, some older acquisitions may not appear in the TEAs, even though they were acquired using the TEAs available at that time. The maps also display other protected land data for reference.
Why GreenPrint Lands are Important
