soil maps & surveys
Map Analysis
Map Analysis
Sk DStockbridge silt loam 15‐20% slope
Stockbridge is the soil series name.
Stockbridge silt loam 15‐20% slopes is the phase.
map units
Map Analysis
Soil properties useful for predicting habitats:
• reaction (pH)
• drainage class
• texture
• depth to bedrock
•slope
Map Analysis
reaction (pH)
neutral
fensacidic crests
extremely acidic
extremely alkaline
Soil chemistry influences plant & animal communities, and is a useful predictor of certain habitats.
Map Analysis
drainage class
excessively drained DRIESTsomewhat excessively drainedwell drainedmoderately well drainedsomewhat poorly drainedpoorly drainedvery poorly drained WETTEST
Map Analysis
textureexamples of texture classes:
sand silty clay
loamy sand clay
silt loam organic
…and so forth.
Map Analysis
texture
finest coarsest
clay silt sand
loam is a mixture of clay, silt, and sand
Map Analysis
A 0‐3% level to gently slopingB 3‐8% gently slopingC 3‐15% gently to strongly slopingD 15‐35% strongly sloping to steep, or hillyE 25‐45% moderately steep to very steepF 35‐60% very steep
Slope 15‐20% slope
Sk D
Stockbridge silt loam
3‐15% slope
Sk C
Stockbridge silt loam
Map Analysis
Sk DStockbridge silt loam 15‐20% slope
map units
Manual Table 17: Stockbridge calcareous mineral >40” to bedrock till W
Map Analysis
Examples of useful symbols on soil maps:
= gravelly spot
= rock outcrops
= wet spot
Check the soil survey legend for more symbols.
= spring
Soil exercise
Map Analysis
bedrock geology maps
Map Analysis
Manual Table 18: Oag sedimentary graywacke, shale pC
bedrock geology maps
Wetland Maps
NYS Freshwater Wetland MapsNational Wetland Inventory (NWI)
Map Analysis
• Introduction to biodiversity in Columbia County– Current threats to biodiversity– General conservation principles– Habitats of Columbia County
• Biodiversity assessment methods– Topographic maps– Soil surveys– Geology and wetland maps
• Lunch
Agenda: morning
Biodiversity Assessment
• Lunch
• Biodiversity assessment methods (continued)– Aerial photos
• Land use and conservation considerations
• Site plan review
• Biodiversity and the human community
Agenda: afternoon
Biodiversity Assessment
Aerial Photo Analysis
forestry‐suppliers.com
• Lunch
• Biodiversity assessment methods (continued)– Aerial photos
• Land use and conservation considerations
• Site plan review
• Biodiversity and the human community
Agenda: afternoon
Biodiversity Assessment
What are “edge effects” ?
Edge effects are the negative influences of habitat edges on interior habitats and species.
HABITAT PATCH
Forest
Influence on abioticfactors25 ft
Forest
Bird flushingdistance50 ft
25 ft, Abiotic factor influence
Forest
25 ft, Abiotic factor influence
50 ft, Bird flushing distance
Influence on smallmammals150 ft
Forest
Nest predation & parasitism160 ft
25 ft, Abiotic factor influence
50 ft, Bird flushing distance
150 ft, Influence on small mammals
Forest
25 ft, Abiotic factor influence
50 ft, Bird flushing distance
150 ft, Influence on small mammals
160 ft, Nestpredation& parasitism
Influence on plants215 ft
Forest
CORE
25 ft, Abiotic factor influence
50 ft, Bird flushing distance
150 ft, Influence on small mammals
160 ft, Nestpredation& parasitism
215 ft, Influence on plants
Influence on bird densities600 ft
Forest
Forest
Buffer 600 ft
Edge effects
CORE
EDGE
HABITAT PATCH
How much useful habitat?
(Environmental Law Institute)
How much useful habitat?
(Environmental Law Institute)
70%
30%60%
40%
80%
20%
Edge
Core
> >
largest area of useful habitat
smallest area of useful habitat
Edge to Core Ratio
msnbc.com
msnbc.com
Priority Habitats and Conservation Zones
- Select rare or important habitats
- Choose focal animal (or group)
- Use that animal’s requirements to designate Conservation Zone
frequent annual movement:
750 ft
Conservation Zone:
750-foot radius from each intermittent woodland pool
intermittent woodland pool Jefferson salamander
Erik Kiviat
IWP
750 ft (230 m)
Priority Habitats and Conservation Zones
Conservation Zone:
750-foot radius from each intermittent woodland pool
Priority Habitats and Conservation Zones
Town of Rhinebeck
Intermittent Woodland Pools
selected perennial streams wood turtle 650 ft
other streams (various) 160 ft
fen/calcareous wet meadow bog turtle 2500 ft
kettle shrub pool Blanding’s turtle 3300 ft
intermittent woodland pool pool breeding amphibians 650 ft
oak-heath barren northern copperhead 1000 ft
Habitat Focal species Conservation Zone
Priority Habitats and Conservation Zones
Isolated meadow
Road fragmentation
Linear habitat
Not a viable corridor
Disrupting and developing farmland
• Lunch
• Biodiversity assessment methods (continued)– Aerial photos
• Land use and conservation considerations
• Site plan review
• Biodiversity and the human community
Agenda: afternoon
Biodiversity Assessment
The Waterlands development proposal
Sewage Treatment Plant
Waterlands Development Proposal
1. What are the biodiversity constraints?
2. How well does the site design accommodate thoseconstraints?
3. How would you improve the design from a biodiversitystandpoint?
IWP and 750 ft pool‐breeding amphibian conservation zone
• Lunch
• Biodiversity assessment methods (continued)– Aerial photos
• Land use and conservation considerations
• Site plan review
• Biodiversity and the human community
Agenda: afternoon
Biodiversity Assessment