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BioMap2
CONSERVING THE BIODIVERSITY OF
MASSACHUSETTS IN A CHANGING WORLD
Dartmouth Produced in 2012
This report and associated map provide information about
important sites for biodiversity conservation in your area.
This information is intended for conservation planning, and is
not intended for use in state regulations.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is BioMap2 – Purpose and applications
One plan, two components
Understanding Core Habitat and its components
Understanding Critical Natural Landscape and its components
Understanding Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape Summaries
Sources of Additional Information
Dartmouth Overview
Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape Summaries
Elements of BioMap2 Cores
Core Habitat Summaries
Elements of BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscapes
Critical Natural Landscape Summaries
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Introduction
The Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game,
through the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species
Program (NHESP), and The Nature
Conservancy’s Massachusetts Program
developed BioMap2 to protect the state’s
biodiversity in the context of climate change.
BioMap2 combines NHESP’s 30 years of
rigorously documented rare species and natural
community data with spatial data identifying
wildlife species and habitats that were the focus
of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s 2005
State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). BioMap2 also
integrates The Nature Conservancy’s assessment
of large, well-connected, and intact ecosystems
and landscapes across the Commonwealth,
incorporating concepts of ecosystem resilience
to address anticipated climate change impacts.
Protection and stewardship of BioMap2 Core
Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape is
essential to safeguard the diversity of species
and their habitats, intact ecosystems, and
resilient natural landscapes across
Massachusetts.
What Does Status Mean?
The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
determines a status category for each rare
species listed under the Massachusetts
Endangered Species Act (MESA), M.G.L. c.131A,
and its implementing regulations 321 CMR
10.00. Rare species are categorized as
Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern
according to the following:
Endangered species are in danger of
extinction throughout all or a significant
portion of their range or are in danger of
extirpation from Massachusetts.
Threatened species are likely to become
Endangered in Massachusetts in the
foreseeable future throughout all or a
significant portion of their range.
Special Concern species have suffered a
decline that could threaten the species if
allowed to continue unchecked or occur in
such small numbers or with such restricted
distribution or specialized habitat
requirements that they could easily become
Threatened in Massachusetts.
In addition NHESP maintains an unofficial
watch list of plants that are tracked due to
potential conservation interest or concern, but
are not regulated under the Massachusetts
Endangered Species Act or other laws or
regulations. Likewise, described natural
communities are not regulated by any law or
regulations, but they can help to identify
ecologically important areas that are worthy of
Get your copy of the BioMap2 report! Download
from www.mass.gov/nhesp or contact Natural
Heritage at 508-389-6360 or
natural.heritage@state.ma.us.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
protection. The status of natural communities
reflects the documented number and acreages of
each community type in the state:
Critically Imperiled communities typically
have 5 or fewer documented good sites or
have very few remaining acres in the state.
Imperiled communities typically have 6-20
good sites or few remaining acres in the state.
Vulnerable communities typically have 21-
100 good sites or limited acreage across the
state.
Secure communities typically have over 100
sites or abundant acreage across the state;
however, excellent examples are identified as
Core Habit to ensure continued protection.
In 2005 the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries
and Wildlife completed a comprehensive State
Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) documenting the
status of Massachusetts wildlife and providing
recommendations to help guide wildlife
conservation decision-making. SWAP includes
all the wildlife species listed under the
Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA),
as well as more than 80 species that need
conservation attention but do not meet the
requirements for inclusion under MESA. The
SWAP document is organized around habitat
types in need of conservation within the
Commonwealth. While the original BioMap
focused primarily on rare species protected
under MESA, BioMap2 also addresses other
Species of Conservation Concern, their habitats,
and the ecosystems that support them to create a
spatial representation of most of the elements of
SWAP.
BioMap2: One Plan, Two Components
BioMap2 identifies two complementary spatial
layers, Core Habitat and Critical Natural
Landscape.
Core Habitat identifies key areas that are critical
for the long-term persistence of rare species and
other Species of Conservation Concern, as well
as a wide diversity of natural communities and
intact ecosystems across the Commonwealth.
Protection of Core Habitats will contribute to the
conservation of specific elements of biodiversity.
Critical Natural Landscape identifies large
natural Landscape Blocks that are minimally
impacted by development. If protected, these
areas will provide habitat for wide-ranging
native species, support intact ecological
processes, maintain connectivity among
habitats, and enhance ecological resilience to
natural and anthropogenic disturbances in a
rapidly changing world. Areas delineated as
Critical Natural Landscape also include
buffering upland around wetland, coastal, and
aquatic Core Habitats to help ensure their long-
term integrity.
The long-term persistence of Massachusetts
biological resources requires a determined
commitment to land and water conservation.
Protection and stewardship of both Critical
Natural Landscapes and Core Habitats are
needed to realize the biodiversity conservation
vision of BioMap2.
Components of Core Habitat
Core Habitat identifies specific areas necessary
to promote the long-term persistence of rare
species, other Species of Conservation Concern,
exemplary natural communities, and intact
ecosystems.
Rare Species
There are 432 native plant and animal species
listed as Endangered, Threatened or Special
Concern under the Massachusetts Endangered
Species Act (MESA) based on their rarity,
population trends, and threats to survival. For
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Table 1. Species of Conservation Concern
described in the State Wildlife Action Plan
and/or included on the MESA List and for which
habitat was mapped in BioMap2. Note that
plants are not included in SWAP, and that
marine species such as whales and sea turtles
are not included in BioMap2.
Taxonomic
Group
MESA-
listed
Species
Non-listed Species
of Conservation
Concern
Mammals 4 5
Birds 27 23
Reptiles 10 5
Amphibians 4 3
Fish 10 17
Invertebrates 102 9
Plants 256 0
Total 413 62
BioMap2, NHESP staff identified the highest
quality habitat sites for each non-marine species
based on size, condition, and landscape context.
Other Species of Conservation Concern
In addition to species on the MESA List
described previously, the State Wildlife Action
Plan (SWAP) identifies 257 wildlife species and
22 natural habitats most in need of conservation
within the Commonwealth. BioMap2 includes
species-specific habitat areas for 45 of these
species and habitat for 17 additional species
which was mapped with other coarse-filter and
fine-filter approaches.
Priority Natural Communities
Natural communities are assemblages of plant
and animal species that share a common
environment and occur together repeatedly on
the landscape. BioMap2 gives conservation
priority to natural communities with limited
distribution and to the best examples of more
common types.
Vernal Pools
Vernal pools are small, seasonal wetlands that
provide important wildlife habitat, especially for
amphibians and invertebrate animals that use
them to breed. BioMap2 identifies the top 5
percent most interconnected clusters of Potential
Vernal Pools in the state.
Forest Cores
In BioMap2, Core Habitat includes the best
examples of large, intact forests that are least
impacted by roads and development, providing
critical habitat for numerous woodland species.
For example, the interior forest habitat defined
by Forest Cores supports many bird species
sensitive to the impacts of roads and
development, such as the Black-throated Green
Warbler, and helps maintain ecological
processes found only in unfragmented forest
patches.
Wetland Cores
BioMap2 used an assessment of Ecological
Integrity to identify the least disturbed wetlands
in the state within undeveloped landscapes—
those with intact buffers and little fragmentation
or other stressors associated with development.
These wetlands are most likely to support
critical wetland functions (i.e., natural
hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and animal
habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain
these functions into the future.
Aquatic Cores
To delineate integrated and functional
ecosystems for fish species and other aquatic
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Legal Protection of Biodiversity
BioMap2 presents a powerful vision of what
Massachusetts would look like with full
protection of the land most important for
supporting the Commonwealth’s biodiversity.
While BioMap2 is a planning tool with no
regulatory function, all state-listed species enjoy
legal protection under the Massachusetts
Endangered Species Act (M.G.L. c.131A) and its
implementing regulations (321 CMR 10.00).
Wetland habitat of state-listed wildlife is also
protected under the Wetlands Protection Act
Regulations (310 CMR 10.00). The Natural
Heritage Atlas contains maps of Priority Habitats
and Estimated Habitats, which are used,
respectively, for regulation under the
Massachusetts Endangered Species Act and the
Wetlands Protection Act. For more information
on rare species regulations, and to view Priority
and Estimated Habitat maps, please see the
Regulatory Review page at
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natur
al-heritage/regulatory-review/.
BioMap2 is a conservation planning tool that
does not, in any way, supplant the Estimated
and Priority Habitat Maps which have
regulatory significance. Unless and until the
BioMap2 vision is fully realized, we must
continue to protect our most imperiled species
and their habitats.
Species of Conservation Concern, beyond the
species and exemplary habitats described above,
BioMap2 identifies intact river corridors within
which important physical and ecological
processes of the river or stream occur.
Components of Critical Natural Landscape
Critical Natural Landscape identifies intact
landscapes in Massachusetts that are better able
to support ecological processes and disturbance
regimes, and a wide array of species and
habitats over long time frames.
Landscape Blocks
BioMap2 identifies the most intact large areas of
predominately natural vegetation, consisting of
contiguous forests, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and
ponds, as well as coastal habitats such as barrier
beaches and salt marshes.
Upland Buffers of Wetland and Aquatic
Cores
A variety of analyses were used to identify
protective upland buffers around wetlands and
rivers.
Upland Habitat to Support Coastal
Adaptation
BioMap2 identifies undeveloped lands adjacent
to and up to one and a half meters above
existing salt marshes as Critical Natural
Landscapes with high potential to support
inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal
habitats over the coming century.
The conservation areas identified by BioMap2
are based on breadth and depth of data,
scientific expertise, and understanding of
Massachusetts’ biodiversity. The numerous
sources of information and analyses used to
create Core Habitat and Critical Natural
Landscape are complementary, and outline a
comprehensive conservation vision for
Massachusetts, from rare species to intact
landscapes. In total, these robust analyses
define a suite of priority lands and waters that, if
permanently protected, will support
Massachusetts’ natural systems for generations
to come.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Understanding Core Habitat Summaries
Following the Town Overview, there is a
descriptive summary of each Core Habitat and
Critical Natural Landscape that occurs in your
city or town. These summaries highlight some
of the outstanding characteristics of each Core
Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape, and
will help you learn more about your city or
town’s biodiversity. You can find out more
information about many of these species and
natural communities by looking at specific fact
sheets at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Additional Information
For copies of the full BioMap2 report, the
Technical Report, and an interactive mapping
tool, visit the BioMap2 website via the Land
Protection and Planning tab at
www.mass.gov/nhesp. If you have any
questions about this report, or if you need help
protecting land for biodiversity in your
community, the Natural Heritage & Endangered
Species Program staff looks forward to working
with you.
Contact the Natural Heritage & Endangered
Species Program
By phone 508-389-6360
By fax 508-389-7890
By email natural.heritage@state.ma.us
By Mail 100 Hartwell Street, Suite 230
West Boylston, MA 01583
The GIS datalayers of BioMap2 are available for
download from MassGIS at
www.mass.gov/mgis.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Town Overview
Dartmouth lies within the Bristol
Lowland/Narragansett Lowland Ecoregion, an area
of flat, gently rolling plains. Forests are mostly
central hardwoods and some elm-ash-red maple
and red and white pine. There are numerous
wetlands, some cropland/pasture, and many
cranberry bogs. Many rivers drain this area.
Dartmouth at a Glance Total Area: 39,653 acres (62.0 square miles)
Human Population in 2010: 34,032
Open space protected in perpetuity: 9,156
acres, or 23.1% percent of total area*
BioMap2 Core Habitat: 10,501 acres
BioMap2 Core Habitat Protected: 4,333 acres
or 41.3%
BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape: 20,323
acres
BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape
Protected: 7,061 acres or 34.7%.
BioMap2 Components
Core Habitat
19 Exemplary or Priority Natural Community
Cores
4 Forest Cores
21 Wetland Cores
17Aquatic Cores
33 Species of Conservation Concern Cores**
o 10 birds, 5 reptiles, 2 amphibians, 10
insects, 2 crustaceans, 14 plants
Critical Natural Landscape
5 Landscape Blocks
25 Wetland Core Buffers
13 Aquatic Core Buffers
24 Coastal Adaptation Areas
12 Tern Foraging Areas
* Calculated using MassGIS data layer “Protected
and Recreational Open Space—March, 2012”.
** See next pages for complete list of species,
natural communities and other biodiversity
elements.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
BioMap2 Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape in Dartmouth
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Species of Conservation Concern, Priority and Exemplary Natural Communities,
and Other Elements of Biodiversity in Dartmouth
Crustaceans
American Clam Shrimp, (Limnadia lenticularis), SC
Coastal Swamp Amphipod, (Synurella chamberlaini), SC
Insects
Moths
Waxed Sallow Moth, (Chaetaglaea cerata), SC
Chain Dot Geometer, (Cingilia catenaria), SC
Pale Green Pinion Moth, (Lithophane viridipallens), SC
Spartina Borer, (Photedes inops), SC
Chain Fern Borer, (Papaipema stenocelis), T
Butterflies
Hessel's Hairstreak, (Callophrys hesseli), SC
Frosted Elfin, (Callophrys irus), SC
Damselflies
Attenuated Bluet, (Enallagma daeckii), T
Scarlet Bluet, (Enallagma pictum), T
New England Bluet, (Enallagma laterale), Non-listed SWAP species
Amphibians
Marbled Salamander, (Ambystoma opacum), T
Four-toed Salamander, (Hemidactylium scutatum), Non-listed SWAP
Reptiles
Diamond-backed Terrapin, (Malaclemys terrapin), T
Eastern Box Turtle, (Terrapene carolina), SC
Eastern Ribbon Snake, (Thamnophis sauritus), Non-listed SWAP
Northern Black Racer, (Coluber constrictor), Non-listed SWAP
Spotted Turtle, (Clemmys guttata), Non-listed SWAP
Birds
Grasshopper Sparrow, (Ammodramus savannarum), T
Piping Plover, (Charadrius melodus), T
Common Tern, (Sterna hirundo), SC
Least Bittern, (Ixobrychus exilis), E
Vesper Sparrow, (Pooecetes gramineus), T
King Rail, (Rallus elegans), T
Least Tern, (Sternula antillarum), SC
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, (Ammodramus caudactus), Non-listed SWAP
Seaside Sparrow, (Ammodramus maritimus), Non-listed SWAP
Sora, (Porzana carolina), Non-listed SWAP
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Plants
Bushy Rockrose, (Crocanthemum dumosum), SC
Tiny-fruited Spike-rush or Spike-sedge, (Eleocharis microcarpa var. filiculmis), E
Weak Rush, (Juncus debilis), E
New England Blazing Star, (Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae), SC
Rigid Flax, (Linum medium var. texanum), T
Gypsywort, (Lycopus rubellus), E
Philadelphia Panic-grass, (Panicum philadelphicum ssp. philadelphicum), SC
Plymouth Gentian, (Sabatia kennedyana), SC
Sea Pink, (Sabatia stellaris), E
Long's Bulrush, (Scirpus longii), T
Bristly Foxtail, (Setaria parviflora), SC
Long-leaved Panic-grass, (Panicum rigidulum ssp. pubescens), T
Sea-beach Knotweed, (Polygonum glaucum), SC
Swamp Oats, (Sphenopholis pensylvanica), T
Priority Natural Communities
Coastal Interdunal Marsh/Swale, S1
Kettlehole Wet Meadow, S3
Maritime Dune Community, S2
Alluvial Red Maple Swamp, S3
Alluvial Atlantic White Cedar Swamp, S2
Acidic Graminoid Fen, S3
Coastal Plain Pondshore, S2
Estuarine Intertidal: Coastal Salt Pond Marsh, S2
Estuarine Subtidal: Coastal Salt Pond, S2
Coastal Forest/Woodland, S3
Maritime Shrubland Community, S3
Oak - Holly Forest / Woodland, S1
Other BioMap2 Components
Forest Core
Aquatic Core
Wetland Core
Landscape Block
Aquatic Core Buffer
Wetland Core Buffer
Coastal Adaptation Area
Tern Foraging Area
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
E = Endangered
T = Threatened
SC = Special Concern
S1 = Critically Imperiled communities, typically 5 or fewer documented sites or very few remaining
acres in the state.
S2 = Imperiled communities, typically 6-20 sites or few remaining acres in the state.
S3 = Vulnerable communities, typically have 21-100 sites or limited acreage across the state.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
BioMap2 Core Habitat in Dartmouth
Core IDs correspond with the following element lists and summaries.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Elements of BioMap2 Cores
This section lists all elements of BioMap2 Cores that fall entirely or partially within Dartmouth. The
elements listed here may not occur within the bounds of Dartmouth.
Core 131
Species of Conservation Concern
Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum T
Core 132
Species of Conservation Concern
Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum Non-listed SWAP
Core 133
Priority & Exemplary Natural Communities
Estuarine Intertidal: Coastal Salt Pond Marsh S2
Species of Conservation Concern
Common Tern Sterna hirundo SC
Least Tern Sternula antillarum SC
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus T
Core 137
Species of Conservation Concern
Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum T
Core 138
Species of Conservation Concern
Least Tern Sternula antillarum SC
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus T
Core 140
Wetland Core
Core 142
Wetland Core
Core 143
Aquatic Core
Species of Conservation Concern
Long-leaved Panic-grass Panicum rigidulum ssp. pubescens T
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Core 145
Wetland Core
Core 148
Wetland Core
Aquatic Core
Priority & Exemplary Natural Communities
Acidic Graminoid Fen S3
Coastal Forest/Woodland S3
Coastal Interdunal Marsh/Swale S1
Estuarine Intertidal: Coastal Salt Pond Marsh S2
Estuarine Subtidal: Coastal Salt Pond S2
Kettlehole Wet Meadow S3
Maritime Dune Community S2
Maritime Shrubland Community S3
Oak - Holly Forest / Woodland S1
Species of Conservation Concern
Bristly Foxtail Setaria parviflora SC
New England Blazing Star Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae SC
Sea Pink Sabatia stellaris E
Sea-beach Knotweed Polygonum glaucum SC
Coastal Swamp Amphipod Synurella chamberlaini SC
Chain Dot Geometer Cingilia catenaria SC
Pale Green Pinion Moth Lithophane viridipallens SC
Spartina Borer Moth Photedes inops SC
Waxed Sallow Moth Chaetaglaea cerata SC
Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum Non-listed SWAP
Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum T
Diamond-backed Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin T
Common Tern Sterna hirundo SC
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum T
King Rail Rallus elegans T
Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis E
Least Tern Sternula antillarum SC
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus T
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow Ammodramus caudactus Non-listed SWAP
Seaside Sparrow Ammodramus maritimus Non-listed SWAP
Sora Porzana carolina Non-listed SWAP
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus T
Core 149
Wetland Core
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Core 152
Priority & Exemplary Natural Communities
Coastal Forest/Woodland S3
Core 156
Wetland Core
Core 157
Species of Conservation Concern
Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum Non-listed SWAP
Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum T
Core 163
Wetland Core
Core 166
Wetland Core
Core 176
Wetland Core
Core 202
Wetland Core
Core 209
Forest Core
Wetland Core
Species of Conservation Concern
Weak Rush Juncus debilis E
New England Bluet Enallagma laterale Non-listed SWAP
Core 217
Species of Conservation Concern
New England Bluet Enallagma laterale Non-listed SWAP
Core 218
Aquatic Core
Priority & Exemplary Natural Communities
Coastal plain pondshore S2
Species of Conservation Concern
Plymouth Gentian Sabatia kennedyana SC
New England Bluet Enallagma laterale Non-listed SWAP
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Core 222
Species of Conservation Concern
New England Bluet Enallagma laterale Non-listed SWAP
Core 226
Species of Conservation Concern
Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum T
Northern Black Racer Coluber constrictor Non-listed SWAP
Core 229
Wetland Core
Aquatic Core
Priority & Exemplary Natural Communities
Alluvial Atlantic White Cedar Swamp S2
Alluvial Red Maple Swamp S3
Species of Conservation Concern
Bushy Rockrose Crocanthemum dumosum SC
Gypsywort Lycopus rubellus E
Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum T
Eastern Ribbon Snake Thamnophis sauritus Non-listed SWAP
Core 230
Aquatic Core
Species of Conservation Concern
Long-leaved Panic-grass Panicum rigidulum ssp. pubescens T
Weak Rush Juncus debilis E
Core 240
Species of Conservation Concern
Attenuated Bluet Enallagma daeckii T
Core 255
Aquatic Core
Species of Conservation Concern
Plymouth Gentian Sabatia kennedyana SC
Tiny-fruited Spike-sedge Eleocharis microcarpa var. filiculmis E
Attenuated Bluet Enallagma daeckii T
Core 259
Aquatic Core
Priority & Exemplary Natural Communities
Forest Seep Community
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Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Species of Conservation Concern
Swamp Oats Sphenopholis pensylvanica T
Core 281
Wetland Core
Aquatic Core
Priority & Exemplary Natural Communities
Acidic Graminoid Fen S3
Alluvial Atlantic White Cedar Swamp S2
Alluvial Red Maple Swamp S3
Species of Conservation Concern
Gypsywort Lycopus rubellus E
Long-leaved Panic-grass Panicum rigidulum ssp. pubescens T
Long's Bulrush Scirpus longii T
Plymouth Gentian Sabatia kennedyana SC
Rigid Flax Linum medium var. texanum T
Tiny-fruited Spike-sedge Eleocharis microcarpa var. filiculmis E
Chain Fern Borer Moth Papaipema stenocelis T
Frosted Elfin Callophrys irus SC
Hessel's Hairstreak Callophrys hesseli SC
Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata Non-listed SWAP
Core 286
Species of Conservation Concern
Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum Non-listed SWAP
Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum T
Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina SC
Core 357
Forest Core
Wetland Core
Core 393
Forest Core
Wetland Core
Aquatic Core
Priority & Exemplary Natural Communities
Acidic Shrub Fen S3
Coastal Atlantic White Cedar Swamp S2
Species of Conservation Concern
American Clam Shrimp Limnadia lenticularis SC
Coastal Swamp Amphipod Synurella chamberlaini SC
Pale Green Pinion Moth Lithophane viridipallens SC
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Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Attenuated Bluet Enallagma daeckii T
Scarlet Bluet Enallagma pictum T
Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum Non-listed SWAP
Core 550
Forest Core
Wetland Core
Aquatic Core
Vernal Pool Core
Priority & Exemplary Natural Communities
Coastal Atlantic White Cedar Swamp S2
Forest Seep Community
Oak - Holly Forest / Woodland S1
Ridgetop Chestnut Oak Forest/Woodland
Sandplain Heathland S1
Species of Conservation Concern
Climbing Fern Lygodium palmatum SC
Long-leaved Panic-grass Panicum rigidulum ssp. pubescens T
Philadelphia Panic-grass Panicum philadelphicum ssp. philadelphicum SC
Plymouth Gentian Sabatia kennedyana SC
Rigid Flax Linum medium var. texanum T
Weak Rush Juncus debilis E
Coastal Swamp Amphipod Synurella chamberlaini SC
Barrens Buckmoth Hemileuca maia SC
Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum Non-listed SWAP
Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum T
Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina SC
Smooth Green Snake Opheodrys vernalis Non-listed SWAP
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Core Habitat Summaries
Core 131
A 91-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.
Adult and juvenile Marbled Salamanders inhabit upland forests during most of the year, where they
reside in small-mammal burrows and other subsurface retreats. Adults migrate during late summer or
early fall to breed in dried portions of vernal pools, swamps, marshes, and other predominantly fish-free
wetlands. Eggs are deposited under logs, leaf-litter, or grass tussocks and hatch after being inundated by
fall rains. Larvae metamorphose during late spring, whereupon they disperse into upland forest.
Core 132
A 50-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.
Four-toed Salamanders live in forested habitats surrounding swamps, bogs, marshes, vernal pools, and
other fish-free waters that are used as breeding sites. Most breeding sites in Massachusetts are
characterized by pit-and-mound topography with significant sphagnum-moss cover. Eggs are typically
laid in mounds or patches of sphagnum moss that overhang water. Upon hatching, the larvae wriggle
through the moss and drop into the water, where they will develop for several weeks prior to
metamorphosis.
Core 133
A 75-acre Core Habitat featuring a Priority Natural Community and Species of Conservation Concern.
Coastal Salt Pond Marshes are found along brackish Coastal Salt Ponds. The inland ends of the ponds
often have freshwater inputs, resulting in denser, taller vegetation. These uncommon communities are
made up primarily of graminoid plant species. This example of a Coastal Salt Pond Marsh is of moderate
quality, and exists within a degraded landscape.
The Common Tern is a small seabird that nests in colonies on sandy or gravelly islands and barrier
beaches, but also occurs on rocky or cobbly beaches and salt marshes. It feeds on small fish, crustaceans,
and flying insects in the open ocean, bays, tidal inlets, and between islands.
Diminutive yet feisty, the Least Tern is a spring and summer colonial nester on Massachusetts’ sandy
beaches. For nesting, it favors for sites with little or no vegetation. In Massachusetts, the Least Tern nests
on sandy or gravelly beaches periodically scoured by storm tides, resulting in sparse or no vegetation; it
also takes advantage of dredge spoils. Along the coast, the Least Tern forages in shallow-water habitats,
including bays, lagoons, estuaries, river and creek mouths, tidal marshes, and ponds.
Piping Plovers on the East Coast nest on sandy coastal beaches and relatively flat dunes with sparse
vegetation. They typically lay their eggs in the narrow area of land between the high tide line and the foot
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
of the coastal dunes. They can be particularly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance, but the state's
population has responded very well to coordinated management.
Core 137
A 103-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.
Adult and juvenile Marbled Salamanders inhabit upland forests during most of the year, where they
reside in small-mammal burrows and other subsurface retreats. Adults migrate during late summer or
early fall to breed in dried portions of vernal pools, swamps, marshes, and other predominantly fish-free
wetlands. Eggs are deposited under logs, leaf-litter, or grass tussocks and hatch after being inundated by
fall rains. Larvae metamorphose during late spring, whereupon they disperse into upland forest.
Core 138
A 58-acre Core Habitat featuring Species of Conservation Concern.
Diminutive yet feisty, the Least Tern is a spring and summer colonial nester on Massachusetts’ sandy
beaches. For nesting, it favors for sites with little or no vegetation. In Massachusetts, the Least Tern nests
on sandy or gravelly beaches periodically scoured by storm tides, resulting in sparse or no vegetation; it
also takes advantage of dredge spoils. Along the coast, the Least Tern forages in shallow-water habitats,
including bays, lagoons, estuaries, river and creek mouths, tidal marshes, and ponds.
Piping Plovers on the East Coast nest on sandy coastal beaches and relatively flat dunes with sparse
vegetation. They typically lay their eggs in the narrow area of land between the high tide line and the foot
of the coastal dunes. They can be particularly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance, but the state's
population has responded very well to coordinated management.
Core 140
An 11-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
This Wetland Core occurs on very low-elevation granite, one of the least common ecological settings for
Wetland Cores in the state.
Core 142
A 27-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
This Wetland Core occurs on very low-elevation granite, one of the least common ecological settings for
Wetland Cores in the state.
Core 143
A 7-acre Core Habitat featuring Aquatic Core and a Species of Conservation Concern.
Aquatic Cores are intact river corridors within which important physical and ecological processes of the
river or stream occur. They delineate integrated and functional ecosystems for fish species and other
aquatic Species of Conservation Concern.
Long-leaved Panic-grass, a slender-stemmed perennial of the Grass family, grows in dense tufts. Habitats
include an open, peaty border of a small basin marsh, a very shallow fresh water pond, a seasonally wet,
peaty depression under powerlines, and a disturbed, former sand-extraction area that is seasonally
inundated by groundwater.
Core 145
A 30-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
This Wetland Core occurs on very low-elevation granite, one of the least common ecological settings for
Wetland Cores in the state.
Core 148
A 2,845-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core, Aquatic Core, Priority Natural Communities, and
Species of Conservation Concern.
Coastal Dartmouth, from the Coastal Salt Pond of Allens Pond to the estuaries of the Slocums and Little
Rivers, is a complex of freshwater, brackish, saltwater, and upland habitats supporting 21 rare and
uncommon species. Diamond-backed Terrapins breed along the edges of the salt marshes here, and
Arctic, Common, Least, and the federally Endangered Roseate Terns forage widely in these rich coastal
waters. Five rare and uncommon moths can be found in the coastal vegetation, including the globally
rare Spartina Borer Moth in the upper salt marshes.
Acidic Graminoid Fens are sedge- and sphagnum-dominated acidic peatlands that experience some
groundwater and/or surface water flow but no calcareous seepage. Standing water is often present
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
throughout much of the growing season. This small example of Acidic Graminoid Fen is in fair condition,
with exotic invasive species present and little buffer to the surrounding dense development.
Coastal Forests are mixed deciduous communities, and are often shorter than forests further inland, but
taller than maritime forests. They may have dense shrubs and vines. This community is found in
sheltered areas along the coast. This Core has two examples of Coastal Forest Woodland including one
that is relatively small and has invasive exotic species, but also has good diversity of native species and is
well buffered by other coastal natural communities.
The Coastal Interdunal Marsh/Swale community is a graminoid- or shrub-dominated coastal community
that occurs in shallow depressions between sand dunes. They occur as part of a dune system, and the best
examples are complexes of numerous swales. This example of the Coastal/Interdunal Marsh/Swale
community is in good condition, and is well buffered within a naturally vegetated landscape.
Coastal Salt Pond Marshes are found along brackish Coastal Salt Ponds. The inland ends of the ponds
often have freshwater inputs, resulting in denser, taller vegetation. These uncommon communities are
made up primarily of graminoid plant species. This example of a Coastal Salt Pond Marsh is of moderate
quality, and lacks the characteristic diversity of the community type.
Coastal Salt Pond communities consist of vegetation surrounding, and in, coastal brackish ponds. These
ponds are usually separated from the ocean by a sandspit. Their salinity varies and is influenced by
opening and closing of the spit. This example of Coastal Salt Pond is in good condition and supports a
diversity of graminoid vegetation and shorebirds.
Kettlehole Wet Meadows are herbaceous communities found in glacial kettleholes in sandy soils with
seasonal water level changes. For most of the summer, they look like shallow ponds, but by late summer
they are covered by emergent vegetation. This Core has two small examples of a Kettlehole Wet Meadow
in good condition, despite the presence of exotic invasive species.
The Maritime Dune Community consists of patches of herbaceous plants interspersed with areas of bare
sand and shrubs. It occurs on windswept dunes within the salt spray zone, and often grades into
shrubland or woodlands on more sheltered back dunes. This example of Maritime Dune Community is
small and somewhat degraded by recreational use, but is found within a complex of coastal natural
communities that buffer it from the impacts of development.
Maritime Shrubland communities are dominated by patches of dense shrubs with scattered areas of more
open low growth or bare ground. These communities are coastal and receive salt spray during storms.
They occur on rocky headlands or behind dunes. This relatively large example of Maritime Shrubland is
found in a mosaic of coastal natural communities, and is in good condition with no exotic invasive
species. It is well buffered within a naturally vegetated area.
Oak-Holly Forest/Woodland or Maritime Oak-Holly Forest Communities are mixed deciduous/evergreen
forests within the coastal salt spray zone. Vegetation growth here is stunted by winds and salt spray,
resulting in short trees (less than 30 feet). This small example of Oak-Holly Forest has the classic species
diversity of its type, and is in good condition despite its proximity to heavily used coastal recreational
areas.
Wetlands Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
Aquatic Cores are intact river corridors within which important physical and ecological processes of the
river or stream occur. They delineate integrated and functional ecosystems for fish species and other
aquatic Species of Conservation Concern.
Core 149
A 26-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
Core 152
A 307-acre Core Habitat featuring a Priority Natural Community.
Coastal Forests are mixed deciduous communities, and are often shorter than forests further inland, but
taller than maritime forests. They may have dense shrubs and vines. This community is found in
sheltered areas along the coast. This large, young example of Coastal Forest is mixed with Red Maple
Swamp growing among stone walls on old agricultural fields.
Core 156
A 103-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
The 103-acre Wetland Core is among the largest 20% of Wetland Cores statewide. It occurs on very low-
elevation granite, one of the least common ecological settings for Wetland Cores in the state.
Core 157
A 104-acre Core Habitat featuring Species of Conservation Concern.
Four-toed Salamanders live in forested habitats surrounding swamps, bogs, marshes, vernal pools, and
other fish-free waters that are used as breeding sites. Most breeding sites in Massachusetts are
characterized by pit-and-mound topography with significant sphagnum-moss cover. Eggs are typically
laid in mounds or patches of sphagnum moss that overhang water. Upon hatching, the larvae wriggle
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
through the moss and drop into the water, where they will develop for several weeks prior to
metamorphosis.
Adult and juvenile Marbled Salamanders inhabit upland forests during most of the year, where they
reside in small-mammal burrows and other subsurface retreats. Adults migrate during late summer or
early fall to breed in dried portions of vernal pools, swamps, marshes, and other predominantly fish-free
wetlands. Eggs are deposited under logs, leaf-litter, or grass tussocks and hatch after being inundated by
fall rains. Larvae metamorphose during late spring, whereupon they disperse into upland forest.
Core 163
A 28-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
Core 166
A 90-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
Core 176
A 65-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
Core 202
A 12-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Core 209
A 1,152-acre Core Habitat featuring Forest Core, Wetland Core, and Species of Conservation Concern.
Forest Cores are the best examples of large, intact forests that are least impacted by roads and
development. Forest Cores support many bird species sensitive to the impacts of roads and development
and help maintain ecological processes found only in unfragmented forest patches.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
In Massachusetts, the Weak Rush has typically been found in open, unshaded habitat in seasonally wet,
sandy, peaty or mucky substrate along the coastal plain, especially boggy depressions that are inundated
in spring but may dry out later in the season.
New England Bluets are damselflies whose habitat includes coastal plain ponds, open water in swamps,
and other ponds and lakes. It occurs only in the northeastern United States and is most common from
eastern Massachusetts into Connecticut.
Core 217
A 10-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.
New England Bluets are damselflies whose habitat includes coastal plain ponds, open water in swamps,
and other ponds and lakes. It occurs only in the northeastern United States and is most common from
eastern Massachusetts into Connecticut.
Core 218
A 44-acre Core Habitat featuring Aquatic Core, a Priority Natural Community, and Species of
Conservation Concern.
Aquatic Cores are intact river corridors within which important physical and ecological processes of the
river or stream occur. They delineate integrated and functional ecosystems for fish species and other
aquatic Species of Conservation Concern.
Coastal Plain Pondshores are globally rare herbaceous communities of exposed pondshores with a
distinct coastal plain flora. Water levels change with the water table, typically leaving an exposed
shoreline in late summer where many rare species grow. This example of Coastal Plain Pondshore is in
good to fair condition, and is not well buffered within the developed landscape.
Plymouth Gentian is a globally rare, showy perennial herb of the gentian family, with striking pink and
yellow flowers and opposite lance-shaped leaves. It inhabits the sandy and peaty shorelines of coastal
plain ponds.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
New England Bluets are damselflies whose habitat includes coastal plain ponds, open water in swamps,
and other ponds and lakes. It occurs only in the northeastern United States and is most common from
eastern Massachusetts into Connecticut.
Core 222
A 28-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.
New England Bluets are damselflies whose habitat includes coastal plain ponds, open water in swamps,
and other ponds and lakes. It occurs only in the northeastern United States and is most common from
eastern Massachusetts into Connecticut.
Core 226
A 120-acre Core Habitat featuring Species of Conservation Concern.
Adult and juvenile Marbled Salamanders inhabit upland forests during most of the year, where they
reside in small-mammal burrows and other subsurface retreats. Adults migrate during late summer or
early fall to breed in dried portions of vernal pools, swamps, marshes, and other predominantly fish-free
wetlands. Eggs are deposited under logs, leaf-litter, or grass tussocks and hatch after being inundated by
fall rains. Larvae metamorphose during late spring, whereupon they disperse into upland forest.
The Northern Black Racer is a snake of young upland forests, shrublands such as pitch pine/scrub oak
communities and rock cliffs. Although relatively common, its range appears to be constricting and its
abundance has been declining.
Core 229
A 1,432-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core, Aquatic Core, Priority Natural Communities, and
Species of Conservation Concern.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
A 705-acre Wetland Core is among the largest 20% of Wetland Cores statewide and in this ecoregion. A
separate 136-acre Wetland Core is also among the largest 20% of Wetland Cores statewide.
Aquatic Cores are intact river corridors within which important physical and ecological processes of the
river or stream occur. They delineate integrated and functional ecosystems for fish species and other
aquatic Species of Conservation Concern.
Alluvial Atlantic White Cedar Swamps occur along smaller rivers and ponds where Atlantic white cedar
is co-dominant with red maple. They receive annual flooding, making them more mineral-rich than other
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Atlantic white cedar wetlands. This example of an Alluvial Atlantic White Cedar Swamp, though
extremely small, is in excellent condition and is very well buffered by natural vegetation.
Alluvial Red Maple Swamps are a type of red maple swamp that occurs in low areas along rivers and
streams. Regular flooding enriches the soil with nutrients, resulting in an unusual set of associated trees
and plants. This large example of Alluvial Red Maple Swamp has mature stands, is well buffered within
a larger wetland complex, and has no exotic invasive species.
Bushy Rockrose is a globally rare, bright yellow, perennial wildflower of coastal herbaceous grasslands
and heathlands.
Gypsywort, a perennial herb in the mint family, is most abundant on damp soils along streams in maple
swamps, marshy shores of ponds and lakes, seepage areas, and floodplain forests.
Adult and juvenile Marbled Salamanders inhabit upland forests during most of the year, where they
reside in small-mammal burrows and other subsurface retreats. Adults migrate during late summer or
early fall to breed in dried portions of vernal pools, swamps, marshes, and other predominantly fish-free
wetlands. Eggs are deposited under logs, leaf-litter, or grass tussocks and hatch after being inundated by
fall rains. Larvae metamorphose during late spring, whereupon they disperse into upland forest.
Eastern Ribbon Snakes are a medium-sized, very thin snake ranging from 7 to 34 inches long at maturity.
They are active during the day and live in wetlands and edges of open water being comfortable in water
and on land, eating amphibians, insects, and occasional fish. This species hibernates in ant mounds,
rodent burrows, crayfish burrows, and bank burrows.
Core 230
A 6-acre Core Habitat featuring Aquatic Core and Species of Conservation Concern.
Aquatic Cores are intact river corridors within which important physical and ecological processes of the
river or stream occur. They delineate integrated and functional ecosystems for fish species and other
aquatic Species of Conservation Concern.
Long-leaved Panic-grass, a slender-stemmed perennial of the Grass family, grows in dense tufts. Habitats
include an open, peaty border of a small basin marsh, a very shallow fresh water pond, a seasonally wet,
peaty depression under powerlines, and a disturbed, former sand-extraction area that is seasonally
inundated by groundwater.
In Massachusetts, the Weak Rush has typically been found in open, unshaded habitat in seasonally wet,
sandy, peaty or mucky substrate along the coastal plain, especially boggy depressions that are inundated
in spring but may dry out later in the season.
Core 240
A 7-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Attenuated Bluets are small blue damselflies with exceptionally long abdomens. They inhabit a variety of
types of wetlands.
Core 255
A 355-acre Core Habitat featuring Aquatic Core and Species of Conservation Concern.
Aquatic Cores are intact river corridors within which important physical and ecological processes of the
river or stream occur. They delineate integrated and functional ecosystems for fish species and other
aquatic Species of Conservation Concern.
Plymouth Gentian is a globally rare, showy perennial herb of the gentian family, with striking pink and
yellow flowers and opposite lance-shaped leaves. It inhabits the sandy and peaty shorelines of coastal
plain ponds.
The Tiny-fruited Spike-sedge can be found growing in open, acidic, often sandy, seasonally wet areas of
the coastal plain. It appears to be disturbance-adapted.
Attenuated Bluets are small blue damselflies with exceptionally long abdomens. They inhabit a variety of
types of wetlands.
Core 259
A 40-acre Core Habitat featuring Aquatic Core, Priority Natural Communities, and a Species of
Conservation Concern.
Aquatic Cores are intact river corridors within which important physical and ecological processes of the
river or stream occur. They delineate integrated and functional ecosystems for fish species and other
aquatic Species of Conservation Concern.
Forest Seeps are in areas on wet slopes in hardwood forests where groundwater seeps out of the earth.
The overstory is similar to that of the surrounding forest, but many typical wetland ferns, herbs, and
shrubs occur as well. This example of Forest Seep is a variant dominated by Red Maple. It has good
species diversity but is very near a highway and a golf course, which negatively affect it.
Swamp Oats is a tufted perennial grass that grow in seepy openings within forested swamps and along
headlands where freshwater creeks flow into salt marshes.
Core 281
An 824-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core, Aquatic Core, Priority Natural Communities, and
Species of Conservation Concern.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
The 151-acre Wetland Core is among the largest 20% of Wetland Cores statewide.
Aquatic Cores are intact river corridors within which important physical and ecological processes of the
river or stream occur. They delineate integrated and functional ecosystems for fish species and other
aquatic Species of Conservation Concern.
Acidic Graminoid Fens are sedge- and sphagnum-dominated acidic peatlands that experience some
groundwater and/or surface water flow but no calcareous seepage. Standing water is often present
throughout much of the growing season. This example of Acidic Graminoid Fen, though small, is in
excellent condition, with good species and habitat diversity, and minimal impact from human
disturbances. It is well buffered by natural vegetation.
Alluvial Atlantic White Cedar Swamps occur along smaller rivers and ponds where Atlantic white cedar
is co-dominant with red maple. They receive annual flooding, making them more mineral-rich than other
Atlantic white cedar wetlands. This relatively small example of Alluvial Atlantic White Cedar Swamp is
in good condition, but is not well buffered by natural vegetation in the landscape.
Alluvial Red Maple Swamps are a type of red maple swamp that occurs in low areas along rivers and
streams. Regular flooding enriches the soil with nutrients, resulting in an unusual set of associated trees
and plants. This example of Alluvial Red Maple Swamp is moderate sized and has high floral diversity.
Gypsywort, a perennial herb in the mint family, is most abundant on damp soils along streams in maple
swamps, marshy shores of ponds and lakes, seepage areas, and floodplain forests.
Long-leaved Panic-grass, a slender-stemmed perennial of the Grass family, grows in dense tufts. Habitats
include an open, peaty border of a small basin marsh, a very shallow fresh water pond, a seasonally wet,
peaty depression under powerlines, and a disturbed, former sand-extraction area that is seasonally
inundated by groundwater.
Long’s Bulrush is a globally rare, robust sedge of open peaty wetlands. In Massachusetts, Long’s Bulrush
is known to occur in acidic fen and wet meadow communities associated with rivers.
Plymouth Gentian is a globally rare, showy perennial herb of the gentian family, with striking pink and
yellow flowers and opposite lance-shaped leaves. It inhabits the sandy and peaty shorelines of coastal
plain ponds.
In New England, Rigid Flax typically inhabits sparsely vegetated mineral soils of clearings, fields,
roadsides, and rights-of-way; soil moisture ranges from very dry to wet or seasonally flooded. It requires
periodic disturbance to reduce competition and shading by woody plants, and possibly to expose mineral
soil for improved germination and seedling establishment.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
The Tiny-fruited Spike-sedge can be found growing in open, acidic, often sandy, seasonally wet areas of
the coastal plain. It appears to be disturbance-adapted.
Chain Fern Borer moths inhabit coastal plain acidic wetlands (bogs, shrub swamps, etc.) with Virginia
chain fern (Woodwardia virginica). The larvae bore into and feed on the roots and stems of Virginia chain
fern.
The Frosted Elfin is a small lycaenid butterfly, inhabiting xeric and open, disturbance-dependent habitats
on sandy (occasionally rocky) soil, including grassy openings in pitch pine/scrub oak barrens and similar
anthropogenic habitats such as powerline cuts, railways, old sand/gravel pits, and airports.
Hessel's Hairstreak, a butterfly, is restricted to Atlantic White Cedar Swamps and Bogs, where the larvae
develop on new foliage of the Atlantic White Cedar trees.
Strong populations of Spotted Turtles in good habitat - large, unfragmented, protected open space -
continue to be of interest for the conservation of this species. This small, dark-colored turtle with yellow
spots on its carapace inhabits a variety of wetlands year-round and nests in nearby uplands during
spring. Road and collection are the primary conservation concerns.
Core 286
A 1,355-acre Core Habitat featuring Species of Conservation Concern.
Four-toed Salamanders live in forested habitats surrounding swamps, bogs, marshes, vernal pools, and
other fish-free waters that are used as breeding sites. Most breeding sites in Massachusetts are
characterized by pit-and-mound topography with significant sphagnum-moss cover. Eggs are typically
laid in mounds or patches of sphagnum moss that overhang water. Upon hatching, the larvae wriggle
through the moss and drop into the water, where they will develop for several weeks prior to
metamorphosis.
Adult and juvenile Marbled Salamanders inhabit upland forests during most of the year, where they
reside in small-mammal burrows and other subsurface retreats. Adults migrate during late summer or
early fall to breed in dried portions of vernal pools, swamps, marshes, and other predominantly fish-free
wetlands. Eggs are deposited under logs, leaf-litter, or grass tussocks and hatch after being inundated by
fall rains. Larvae metamorphose during late spring, whereupon they disperse into upland forest.
The Eastern Box Turtle is a terrestrial turtle, inhabiting many dry and moist woodland and early
successional habitat. Development, roads, collection, and disease are the primary conservation concerns.
Core 357
A 1,318-acre Core Habitat featuring Forest Core, Wetland Core.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Forest Cores are the best examples of large, intact forests that are least impacted by roads and
development. Forest Cores support many bird species sensitive to the impacts of roads and development
and help maintain ecological processes found only in unfragmented forest patches.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
Core 393
A 2,523-acre Core Habitat featuring Forest Core, Wetland Core, Aquatic Core, Priority Natural
Communities, and Species of Conservation Concern.
Forest Cores are the best examples of large, intact forests that are least impacted by roads and
development. Forest Cores support many bird species sensitive to the impacts of roads and development
and help maintain ecological processes found only in unfragmented forest patches.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
Aquatic Cores are intact river corridors within which important physical and ecological processes of the
river or stream occur. They delineate integrated and functional ecosystems for fish species and other
aquatic Species of Conservation Concern.
Acidic Shrub Fens are shrub-dominated acidic peatlands found primarily along pond margins in the
eastern and central part of the state. These wetland communities experience some groundwater and/or
surface water inputs, but no calcareous seepage. This example of Acidic Shrub Fen is of high quality and
is well buffered by a surrounding Atlantic White Cedar Swamp.
Coastal Atlantic White Cedar Swamps are acidic, low-nutrient basin swamps dominated by Atlantic
white cedar in the overstory and a mixture of species in the understory. This community type typically
occurs in basins on the Atlantic Coastal Plain. This example of Coastal Atlantic White Cedar Swamp is
exceptionally large and has excellent structural and species diversity.
The American Clam Shrimp is a small (about 1 cm or 1/2 in. long) crustacean that inhabits ephemeral
(vernal) pools. A carapace around the clam shrimp’s body parts resembles the shells of mollusks.
Coastal Swamp Amphipods are small (up to about 1 cm or about 1/2 in.), orange, green-tinged
crustaceans that looks like small, flat shrimp. They live in heavily vegetated, low-gradient outlet streams
flowing from freshwater coastal wetlands.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
The Pale Green Pinion Moth inhabits acidic, shrubby wetlands on the coastal plain. Adults fly on warm
nights in late fall, overwinter, and are active again in early spring.
Attenuated Bluets are small blue damselflies with exceptionally long abdomens. They inhabit a variety of
types of wetlands.
Scarlet Bluets are small (just over an inch long) damselflies with red eyes and orange bodies. They inhabit
acidic sandy ponds with floating vegetation.
Four-toed Salamanders live in forested habitats surrounding swamps, bogs, marshes, vernal pools, and
other fish-free waters that are used as breeding sites. Most breeding sites in Massachusetts are
characterized by pit-and-mound topography with significant sphagnum-moss cover. Eggs are typically
laid in mounds or patches of sphagnum moss that overhang water. Upon hatching, the larvae wriggle
through the moss and drop into the water, where they will develop for several weeks prior to
metamorphosis.
Core 550
A 12,771-acre Core Habitat featuring Forest Core, Wetland Core, Aquatic Core, Vernal Pool Core, Priority
Natural Communities, and Species of Conservation Concern.
Forest Cores are the best examples of large, intact forests that are least impacted by roads and
development. Forest Cores support many bird species sensitive to the impacts of roads and development
and help maintain ecological processes found only in unfragmented forest patches.
This important 3,118-acre Forest Core is the largest in the ecoregion, is among the largest 20% of Forest
Cores statewide. A second 2,221-acre Forest Core is the fourth largest in the ecoregion and they are
together part of a nearly contiguous cluster of five Forest Cores. The larger Core is fully protected and
the second Core is largely protected, both by the Southeast MA bioreserve. They are part of an important
and intact eastern Massachusetts Landscape Block.
Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapes—those with
intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are
most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and
animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.
Aquatic Cores are intact river corridors within which important physical and ecological processes of the
river or stream occur. They delineate integrated and functional ecosystems for fish species and other
aquatic Species of Conservation Concern.
Vernal pools are small, seasonal wetlands that provide important wildlife habitat, especially for
amphibians and invertebrate animals that use them to breed. BioMap2 identifies the top 5 percent most
interconnected clusters of Potential Vernal Pools in the state.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Coastal Atlantic White Cedar Swamps are acidic, low-nutrient basin swamps dominated by Atlantic
white cedar in the overstory and a mixture of species in the understory. This community type typically
occurs in basins on the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Two examples of Coastal Atlantic White Cedar Swamp
occur here that are relatively large, have good structural diversity, and are well buffered by naturally
vegetated land.
Forest Seeps are in areas on wet slopes in hardwood forests where groundwater seeps out of the earth.
The overstory is similar to that of the surrounding forest, but many typical wetland ferns, herbs, and
shrubs occur as well. Two examples of Forest Seep occur here, including one that is moderate-sized and
mature, with good structural and species diversity, and is well buffered by natural vegetation. It is also
free of human disturbances, including exotic species.
Oak-Holly Forest/Woodland or Maritime Oak-Holly Forest Communities are mixed deciduous/evergreen
forests within the coastal salt spray zone. Vegetation growth here is stunted by winds and salt spray,
resulting in short trees (less than 30 feet). This example of Oak-Holly Forest occurs within a mosaic of
other significant coastal natural communities, which are all somewhat degraded by recreational use and
development.
Ridgetop Chestnut Oak Forests are open forests of dry ridgetops, dominated by chestnut oak with an
often dense shrub understory. This community often occupies dry upland sites with thin soil over acidic
bedrock on ridges and slopes. This example of Ridgetop Chestnut Oak Forest is unusual in the southeast,
and has good species diversity and a good-sized buffer of natural vegetation.
Sandplain Heathlands are open, shrub dominated, coastal communities. They share many species with
Sandplain Grasslands, but also have many plants from the Heath family. They often have sparse clumps
of plants with bare soil or lichen between them. This small example of Sandplain Heathland was created
by regular mowing, which mimics the fire or grazing this uncommon community type requires to persist.
Climbing Fern does not have the characteristic overall shape of most ferns. Instead, it is an evergreen, ivy-
like plant which sprawls over the ground or climbs clockwise short distances up shrubs and coarse herbs.
Climbing Fern grows in moist pine-oak-maple woods with an open understory, in moist thickets, and
along stream margins. This plant prefers acidic soils that are sandy and rich in humus, but nutrient-poor.
Long-leaved Panic-grass, a slender-stemmed perennial of the Grass family, grows in dense tufts. Habitats
include an open, peaty border of a small basin marsh, a very shallow fresh water pond, a seasonally wet,
peaty depression under powerlines, and a disturbed, former sand-extraction area that is seasonally
inundated by groundwater.
Philadelphia Panic-grass, a member of the Grass family, is a slender, hairy, herbaceous, annual grass with
yellow-green leaves. Philadelphia Panic-grass subspecies philadelphicum grows primarily on sandy shores
of lakes and streams.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Plymouth Gentian is a globally rare, showy perennial herb of the gentian family, with striking pink and
yellow flowers and opposite lance-shaped leaves. It inhabits the sandy and peaty shorelines of coastal
plain ponds.
In New England, Rigid Flax typically inhabits sparsely vegetated mineral soils of clearings, fields,
roadsides, and rights-of-way; soil moisture ranges from very dry to wet or seasonally flooded. It requires
periodic disturbance to reduce competition and shading by woody plants, and possibly to expose mineral
soil for improved germination and seedling establishment.
In Massachusetts, the Weak Rush has typically been found in open, unshaded habitat in seasonally wet,
sandy, peaty or mucky substrate along the coastal plain, especially boggy depressions that are inundated
in spring but may dry out later in the season.
Coastal Swamp Amphipods are small (up to about 1 cm or about 1/2 in.), orange, green-tinged
crustaceans that looks like small, flat shrimp. They live in heavily vegetated, low-gradient outlet streams
flowing from freshwater coastal wetlands.
Barrens Buckmoths inhabit xeric, open habitats with extensive scrub oak thickets, especially sandplain
pitch pine–scrub oak barrens and maritime shrublands. The larval host plant is primarily scrub oak
(Quercus ilicifolia), very rarely other oaks; wandering late-instar larvae are occasionally found on other
hosts.
Four-toed Salamanders live in forested habitats surrounding swamps, bogs, marshes, vernal pools, and
other fish-free waters that are used as breeding sites. Most breeding sites in Massachusetts are
characterized by pit-and-mound topography with significant sphagnum-moss cover. Eggs are typically
laid in mounds or patches of sphagnum moss that overhang water. Upon hatching, the larvae wriggle
through the moss and drop into the water, where they will develop for several weeks prior to
metamorphosis.
Adult and juvenile Marbled Salamanders inhabit upland forests during most of the year, where they
reside in small-mammal burrows and other subsurface retreats. Adults migrate during late summer or
early fall to breed in dried portions of vernal pools, swamps, marshes, and other predominantly fish-free
wetlands. Eggs are deposited under logs, leaf-litter, or grass tussocks and hatch after being inundated by
fall rains. Larvae metamorphose during late spring, whereupon they disperse into upland forest.
The Eastern Box Turtle is a terrestrial turtle, inhabiting many dry and moist woodland and early
successional habitat. Development, roads, collection, and disease are the primary conservation concerns.
A small to medium-sized snake, adult Smooth Green Snakes are 14-20 inches long with a uniform light
green back and yellow to white venter. The Smooth Green Snake is found in moist open or lightly
forested habitat where grasses and shrubs are abundant (edges of marshes, wet meadows, fields, and
forest edges or open forests, grasslands, blueberry barrens, pine barrens) and prefers to forage on the
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
ground with activity in the daytime. Smooth Green Snake overwinter in rodent burrows, ant mounds
and rock crevices, either singly or communally.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape in Dartmouth
Critical Natural Landscape IDs correspond with the following element lists and summaries.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Elements of BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscapes
This section lists all elements of BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscapes that fall entirely or partially within
Dartmouth. The elements listed here may not occur within the bounds of Dartmouth.
CNL 55
Coastal Adaptation Area
Tern Foraging Area
CNL 63
Coastal Adaptation Area
Tern Foraging Area
CNL 74
Coastal Adaptation Area
Tern Foraging Area
CNL 78
Coastal Adaptation Area
Tern Foraging Area
CNL 79
Coastal Adaptation Area
Tern Foraging Area
CNL 80
Tern Foraging Area
Coastal Adaptation Area
CNL 83
Landscape Block
Wetland Core Buffer
CNL 94
Coastal Adaptation Area
Tern Foraging Area
CNL 98
Coastal Adaptation Area
Tern Foraging Area
CNL 102
Coastal Adaptation Area
Tern Foraging Area
CNL 114
Aquatic Core Buffer
Wetland Core Buffer
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
CNL 120
Aquatic Core Buffer
Coastal Adaptation Area
Landscape Block
Tern Foraging Area
CNL 123
Aquatic Core Buffer
CNL 149
Aquatic Core Buffer
CNL 150
Aquatic Core Buffer
CNL 361
Aquatic Core Buffer
Landscape Block
Wetland Core Buffer
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Critical Natural Landscape Summaries
CNL 55
A 92-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area and Tern Foraging Area.
The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next
century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing
current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine
where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a
half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with
high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming
century.
Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for
Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core
Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape.
The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding
colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and
up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat.
CNL 63
A 12-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area and Tern Foraging Area.
The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next
century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing
current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine
where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a
half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with
high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming
century.
Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for
Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core
Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape.
The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding
colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and
up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat.
CNL 74
A 7-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area and Tern Foraging Area.
The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next
century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing
current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine
where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with
high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming
century.
Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for
Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core
Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape.
The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding
colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and
up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat.
CNL 78
A 28-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area and Tern Foraging Area.
The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next
century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing
current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine
where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a
half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with
high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming
century.
Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for
Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core
Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape.
The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding
colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and
up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat.
CNL 79
A 24-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area and Tern Foraging Area.
The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next
century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing
current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine
where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a
half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with
high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming
century.
Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for
Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core
Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape.
The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding
colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and
up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
CNL 80
A 2-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area and Tern Foraging Area.
The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next
century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing
current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine
where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a
half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with
high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming
century.
Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for
Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core
Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape.
The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding
colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and
up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat.
CNL 83
A 2,633-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Wetland Core Buffer and Landscape Block.
A variety of analyses were used to identify protective upland buffers around wetlands and rivers. One,
the variable width buffers methodology, included the most intact areas around each wetland and river,
by extending deeper into surrounding unfragmented habitats than into developed areas adjacent to each
wetland. Other upland buffers were identified through the rare species habitat analysis. In this way, the
conservation of wetland buffers will support the habitats and functionality of each wetland, and also
include adjacent uplands that are important for many species that move between habitat types.
Landscape Blocks, the primary component of Critical Natural Landscapes, are large areas of intact
predominately natural vegetation, consisting of contiguous forests, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and ponds, as
well as coastal habitats such as barrier beaches and salt marshes. Pastures and power-line rights-of-way,
which are less intensively altered than most developed areas, were also included since they provide
habitat and connectivity for many species. Collectively, these natural cover types total 3.6 million acres
across the state. An Ecological Integrity assessment was used to identify the most intact and least
fragmented areas. These large Landscape Blocks are most likely to maintain dynamic ecological processes
such as buffering, connectivity, natural disturbance, and hydrological regimes, all of which help to
support wide-ranging wildlife species and many other elements of biodiversity.
In order to identify critical Landscape Blocks in each ecoregion, different Ecological Integrity thresholds
were used to select the largest intact landscape patches in each ecoregion while avoiding altered habitat
as much as possible. This ecoregional representation accomplishes a key goal of BioMap2 to protect the
ecological stages that support a broad suite of biodiversity in the context of climate change. Blocks were
defined by major roads, and minimum size thresholds differed among ecoregions to ensure that BioMap2
includes the best of the best in each ecoregion.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
CNL 94
A 210-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area and Tern Foraging Area.
The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next
century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing
current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine
where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a
half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with
high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming
century.
Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for
Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core
Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape.
The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding
colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and
up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat.
CNL 98
A 65-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area and Tern Foraging Area.
The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next
century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing
current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine
where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a
half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with
high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming
century.
Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for
Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core
Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape.
The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding
colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and
up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat.
CNL 102
A 11-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area and Tern Foraging Area.
The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next
century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing
current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine
where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a
half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with
high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming
century.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for
Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core
Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape.
The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding
colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and
up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat.
CNL 114
A 23-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Aquatic Core Buffer and Wetland Core Buffer.
A variety of analyses were used to identify protective upland buffers around wetlands and rivers. One,
the variable width buffers methodology, included the most intact areas around each wetland and river,
by extending deeper into surrounding unfragmented habitats than into developed areas adjacent to each
wetland. Other upland buffers were identified through the rare species habitat analysis. In this way, the
conservation of wetland buffers will support the habitats and functionality of each wetland, and also
include adjacent uplands that are important for many species that move between habitat types.
CNL 120
A 24,306-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Aquatic Core Buffer, Landscape Block, Coastal
Adaptation Area, and Tern Foraging Area.
A variety of analyses were used to identify protective upland buffers around wetlands and rivers. One,
the variable width buffers methodology, included the most intact areas around each wetland and river,
by extending deeper into surrounding unfragmented habitats than into developed areas adjacent to each
wetland. Other upland buffers were identified through the rare species habitat analysis. In this way, the
conservation of wetland buffers will support the habitats and functionality of each wetland, and also
include adjacent uplands that are important for many species that move between habitat types.
Landscape Blocks, the primary component of Critical Natural Landscapes, are large areas of intact
predominately natural vegetation, consisting of contiguous forests, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and ponds, as
well as coastal habitats such as barrier beaches and salt marshes. Pastures and power-line rights-of-way,
which are less intensively altered than most developed areas, were also included since they provide
habitat and connectivity for many species. Collectively, these natural cover types total 3.6 million acres
across the state. An Ecological Integrity assessment was used to identify the most intact and least
fragmented areas. These large Landscape Blocks are most likely to maintain dynamic ecological processes
such as buffering, connectivity, natural disturbance, and hydrological regimes, all of which help to
support wide-ranging wildlife species and many other elements of biodiversity.
In order to identify critical Landscape Blocks in each ecoregion, different Ecological Integrity thresholds
were used to select the largest intact landscape patches in each ecoregion while avoiding altered habitat
as much as possible. This ecoregional representation accomplishes a key goal of BioMap2 to protect the
ecological stages that support a broad suite of biodiversity in the context of climate change. Blocks were
defined by major roads, and minimum size thresholds differed among ecoregions to ensure that BioMap2
includes the best of the best in each ecoregion.
At 8,218 acres, this Landscape Block is the fourth largest in the ecoregion. Unlike Landscape Blocks in
much of the state that are dominated by upland forests, this coastal Landscape Block includes both
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
upland forest and a relatively high percentage of salt marsh, forested wetlands, beach, estuary and other
habitats. This Block is moderately well protected, by a variety of public and private entities.
The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next
century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing
current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine
where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a
half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with
high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming
century.
Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for
Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core
Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape.
The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding
colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and
up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat.
CNL 123
A 18-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Aquatic Core Buffer.
A variety of analyses were used to identify protective upland buffers around wetlands and rivers. One,
the variable width buffers methodology, included the most intact areas around each wetland and river,
by extending deeper into surrounding unfragmented habitats than into developed areas adjacent to each
wetland. Other upland buffers were identified through the rare species habitat analysis. In this way, the
conservation of wetland buffers will support the habitats and functionality of each wetland, and also
include adjacent uplands that are important for many species that move between habitat types.
CNL 149
A 101-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Aquatic Core Buffer.
A variety of analyses were used to identify protective upland buffers around wetlands and rivers. One,
the variable width buffers methodology, included the most intact areas around each wetland and river,
by extending deeper into surrounding unfragmented habitats than into developed areas adjacent to each
wetland. Other upland buffers were identified through the rare species habitat analysis. In this way, the
conservation of wetland buffers will support the habitats and functionality of each wetland, and also
include adjacent uplands that are important for many species that move between habitat types.
CNL 150
A 2-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Aquatic Core Buffer.
A variety of analyses were used to identify protective upland buffers around wetlands and rivers. One,
the variable width buffers methodology, included the most intact areas around each wetland and river,
by extending deeper into surrounding unfragmented habitats than into developed areas adjacent to each
wetland. Other upland buffers were identified through the rare species habitat analysis. In this way, the
conservation of wetland buffers will support the habitats and functionality of each wetland, and also
include adjacent uplands that are important for many species that move between habitat types.
BioMap2
Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World
Natural Heritage
& Endangered
Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581
phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890
For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.
CNL 361
A 38,292-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Aquatic Core Buffer, Wetland Core Buffer and
Landscape Block.
A variety of analyses were used to identify protective upland buffers around wetlands and rivers. One,
the variable width buffers methodology, included the most intact areas around each wetland and river,
by extending deeper into surrounding unfragmented habitats than into developed areas adjacent to each
wetland. Other upland buffers were identified through the rare species habitat analysis. In this way, the
conservation of wetland buffers will support the habitats and functionality of each wetland, and also
include adjacent uplands that are important for many species that move between habitat types.
Landscape Blocks, the primary component of Critical Natural Landscapes, are large areas of intact
predominately natural vegetation, consisting of contiguous forests, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and ponds, as
well as coastal habitats such as barrier beaches and salt marshes. Pastures and power-line rights-of-way,
which are less intensively altered than most developed areas, were also included since they provide
habitat and connectivity for many species. Collectively, these natural cover types total 3.6 million acres
across the state. An Ecological Integrity assessment was used to identify the most intact and least
fragmented areas. These large Landscape Blocks are most likely to maintain dynamic ecological processes
such as buffering, connectivity, natural disturbance, and hydrological regimes, all of which help to
support wide-ranging wildlife species and many other elements of biodiversity.
In order to identify critical Landscape Blocks in each ecoregion, different Ecological Integrity thresholds
were used to select the largest intact landscape patches in each ecoregion while avoiding altered habitat
as much as possible. This ecoregional representation accomplishes a key goal of BioMap2 to protect the
ecological stages that support a broad suite of biodiversity in the context of climate change. Blocks were
defined by major roads, and minimum size thresholds differed among ecoregions to ensure that BioMap2
includes the best of the best in each ecoregion.
At 38,087 acres, this Landscape Block is the largest in the ecoregion and the fourth largest Landscape
Block statewide. Unlike Landscape Blocks in much of the state that are dominated by upland forests, this
Block includes both upland forest and a relatively high percentage of forested wetlands and other
habitats. These large landscapes provide invaluable wildlife habitat and other ecosystem values such as
clean drinking water and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. This Block is moderately well protected
through the entities making up the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve.
Help Save Endangered Wildlife!
Please contribute on your Massachusetts income tax form or directly to the
Natural Heritage &
Endangered Species Fund
To learn more about the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
and the Commonwealth’s rare species, visit our web site at www.mass.gov/nhesp.