BioNet - Biodiversity Conservation Network

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Natural Heritage Program

Publication_Date: 20140410

Title: BioNet - Biodiversity Conservation Network

Edition: Version 1b

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Annapolis, Maryland

Publisher: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Description:

Abstract:

The Biodiversity Conservation Network (or BioNet) of Maryland layer systematically identifies and prioritizes ecologically important lands to conserve Maryland’s biodiversity (i.e., plants, animals, habitats, and landscapes). This dataset aggregates numerous separate data layers hierarchically according to the BioNet Criteria Matrix. These data were needed to maximize the influence and effectiveness of public and private conservation investments; promote shared responsibilities for land conservation between public and private sectors; and guide and encourage compatible land uses and land management practices.

Purpose:

The Biodiversity Conservation Network assessment was developed to provide decision support for Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources’ species and land conservation programs. These data will provide DNR staff and conservation partners with critical information to efficiently identify key lands for potential protection and other conservation projects, as well as to improve land planning efforts.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 19660730

Beginning_Time: Unknown

Ending_Date: 20110630

Ending_Time: Unknown

Currentness_Reference: Publication date

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Irregular

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -79.5397

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -75.0175

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 39.7373

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.8965

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: MMRG

Theme_Keyword: biota

Theme_Keyword: environment

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: DNR General

Theme_Keyword: Biodiversity Conservation

Theme_Keyword: Endangered Species

Theme_Keyword: Natural Areas

Theme_Keyword: Natural Heritage Areas

Theme_Keyword: Protection Areas

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Maryland

Place_Keyword: Maryland

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

These data represent the results of data collection and processing for a specific Maryland Department of Natural Resources project. As such, they are only valid for their intended use, content, time, and accuracy specifications. The Department of Natural Resources makes no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the use or appropriateness of Spatial Data, and there are no warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use. The information contained in Spatial Data is from publicly available sources, but no representation is made as to the accuracy or completeness of Spatial Data. The Department of Natural Resources shall not be subject to liability for human error, error due to software conversion, defect, or failure of machines, or any material used in the connection with the machines, including tapes, disks, CD-ROM's or DVD-ROM's and energy. The Department of Natural Resources shall not be liable for any lost profits, consequential damages, or claims against the Department of Natural Resources by third parties. The liability of the Department of Natural Resources for damage regardless of the form of the action shall not exceed any distribution fees that may have been paid in obtaining Spatial Data.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Lynn Davidson

Contact_Organization:

Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Services

Contact_Position: Conservation Technology Program Manager

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical

Address:

MD DNR, Wildlife & Heritage Service Tawes Office Bldg, E-1

City: Annapolis

State_or_Province: Maryland

Postal_Code: 21401

Country: usa

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 410-260-8563

Contact_TDD/TTY_Telephone: (410) 260-8835

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 410-260-8596

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: lynn.davidson@maryland.gov

Hours_of_Service: 0800-1630, Monday - Friday

Native_Data_Set_Environment: ArcView version 3.2 shapefile format

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report: Attributes are considered correct.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

All polygons are closed. Each polygon was checked manually for overlap with adjacent polygons and corrected manually using the general snapping environment set usually to 100 ft. tolerance distance. For polygons with thin, almost linear shapes, the snapping environment was disabled to prevent inaccurate boundary representations. Geometry was checked and repaired using ArcMap 9.3.

Completeness_Report:

All known appropriate datasets were incorporated; however, several datasets were not incorporated into this version (e.g., bald eagle nesting habitat, waterfowl concentration and staging areas) that are slated to be incorporated during future versions.

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

The data were created by delineating the boundary over USGS 7.5 minute topographic imagery at 1:24,000 scale. Therefore, the horizontal accuracy is assumed to be within National Map Accuracy Standards, with a horizontal positional accuracy of 45.6 ft at the 95% confidence level.

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

The data were created by delineating the boundary over USGS 7.5 minute topographic imagery at 1:24,000 scale. Therefore, the vertical positional accuracy is assumed to be within National Map Accuracy Standards, with a vertical positional accuracy of 11.9 ft at the 95% confidence level.

Lineage:

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: MD DNR Natural Heritage Program

Publication_Date: 20110602

Title:

Ecologically Significant Areas of Maryland (internal, working version)

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Annapolis, MD

Publisher: not published

Type_of_Source_Media: map data

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 20110602

Time_of_Day: Unknown

Source_Currentness_Reference: Publication Date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: sites_v39

Source_Contribution:

Ecologically Significant Areas of MD identifies protection boundaries for rare, threatened, and endangered species of MD and significant natural communities and habitats.

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

MD DNR Natural Heritage Program and USFWS-Chesapeake Bay Program

Publication_Date: 20090615

Title: Delmarva Fox Squirrel Habitat

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Annapolis, Maryland

Publisher: MD DNR Natural Heritage Program

Type_of_Source_Media: map data

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 20090615

Time_of_Day: Unknown

Source_Currentness_Reference: Publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: dnrdfsv6_merged

Source_Contribution: Habitat for Delmarva Fox Squirrels

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: MD DNR Natural Heritage Program

Publication_Date: 20040811

Title: Potential Forest Interior Dwelling Species Habitat

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Annapolis, Maryland

Publisher: MD DNR Natural Heritage Program

Type_of_Source_Media: map data

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 20040811

Time_of_Day: Unknown

Source_Currentness_Reference: Publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: fids_v2

Source_Contribution:

Current version of forested areas meeting the criteria developed by DNR for forest interior habitat of varying quality used by Forest Interior Dwelling Species (FIDS), modeled based on research results for birds.

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Audubon MD/DC and MD DNR Natural Heritage Program

Publication_Date: 20110531

Title: Maryland’s Important Bird Areas for FIDS Conservation

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Annapolis, Maryland

Publisher: MD DNR Natural Heritage Program

Type_of_Source_Media: map data

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 20110531

Time_of_Day: Unknown

Source_Currentness_Reference: Publication Date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: fids-iba_apr2011

Source_Contribution:

Areas extracted from the Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of Maryland layer that were designated as IBAs at least in part because they met the IBA criteria for documented, significant FIDS habitat.

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: MD DNR Natural Heritage Program

Publication_Date: 20110601

Title: Grassland Dwelling Species Habitat

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Annapolis, Maryland

Publisher: MD DNR Natural Heritage Program

Type_of_Source_Media: map data

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 20110601

Time_of_Day: Unknown

Source_Currentness_Reference: Publication Date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: mgiba_cdl09

Source_Contribution:

Areas extracted from the Cropland Data Layer 2009 dataset (USDA-NASS) that are coded as pasture, fallow/idle, or other hays AND that fall within the Monocacy Grasslands Important Bird Area that was designated by Audubon MD/DC because it met the criteria for documented habitat of the grassland dwelling suite of birds.

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: MD DNR Natural Heritage Program

Publication_Date: 20110531

Title: Wildlife Corridors and Concentration Areas

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Annapolis, Maryland

Publisher: MD DNR Natural Heritage Program

Type_of_Source_Media: map data

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 20110531

Time_of_Day: Unknown

Source_Currentness_Reference: Publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: wcca_v2

Source_Contribution:

Areas important for birds and other animals that are highly mobile seasonally or need to disperse and live as metapopulations among separated habitat patches (e.g., Allegany Woodrats). Corridors for movement will become even more important as species and habitats move as an adaptation to climate change. Movements are expected both northward, as well as westward. Areas include ridges, shorelines, peninsulas, riparian corridors, tidal flats, and select forests.

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

1. Extract pertinent data from Ecologically Significant Areas layer 1.1. The Sites_v39.shp layer was modified to remove/delete: 1.1.1. Attribute Function = Primary Boundary 1.1.2. Attribute Function = Tertiary Boundary 1.1.3. Attribute Function = Watershed Boundary 1.1.4. Attribute Class = MC 1.1.5. Atttribute Class = MG 1.1.6. The remainder included only Standard Site boundaries (Class= SS; Function = Secondary Boundary) in the layer. 1.1.7. All that were tagged in the Pot_Historical field were kept (included). 1.1.8. Intermediate product = sites_v39_ss-only.shp 1.2. Attribute table of sites_v39_ss-only.shp layer was modified to remove many unnecessary fields.

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: sites_v39

Process_Date: 20110602

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

2. Split all source layers into various Tier layers, according to the BioNet_Tier field within each layer’s attribute table. 2.1. Ecologically Significant Areas 2.1.1. Split layer into Tier 1-Tier 5 2.2. Delmarva Fox Squirrel Habitat 2.2.1. Split layer into Tier 2-Tier 4 2.3. FIDS_IBA 2.3.1. Clip latest GreenInfrastructure Hub layer using the fids_iba_apr2011.shp layer and tag these as Tier 3 to form interim product: fids_iba_hubv6_tier3.shp 2.4. Potential FIDS Habitat 2.4.1. Label Class 1 as Tier 4 2.4.2. Label Class 2 and Class 3 as Tier 5 2.5. Grassland Dwelling Species 2.5.1. Label BioNet_Tier field in attribute table of mdiba_cdl09 as Tier 3 if "core" 2.5.2. Label BioNet_Tier field in attribute table of mdiba_cdl09 as Tier 4 if "non-core" 2.6. Wildlife Corridors and Concentration Areas 2.6.1. Split layer into Tier 1-Tier 5 2.7. ESA clusters 2.7.1. Extract those polygons labeled as Tier 1-2 to form interim product: esl-v8_t1+t2.shp

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: sites_v39

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: dnrdfsv6_merged

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: fids_v2

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: fids-iba_apr2011

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: mgiba_cdl09

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: wcca_v2

Process_Date: 20110602

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

3. Erase features hierarchically, according to the criteria matrix, from within the same Tier layers. Resources that are considered to be of higher conservation value are erased from the layers of lower conservation value resources so that when a single merged layer is created later, the one of higher conservation value compared to the other is present for a given place on the ground. 3.1. Twenty-seven separate erase processes were performed using Xtools for ArcView 3.3. The ones that resulted in no overlap did not need to be performed. Therefore, only 17 of these erase processes resulted in an interim layer to be used for the next step. 3.2. Erase Process: Result 3.2.1. Tier 1 ESA (sites) were erased from WCCA: interim layer 3.2.2. Tier 2 ESA (sites) were erased from DFS: interim layer 3.2.3. Tier 2 ESA (sites) were erased from WCCA: interim layer 3.2.4. Tier 2 DFS were erased from WCCA: no overlap 3.2.5. Tier 3 ESA (sites) were erased from DFS: interim layer 3.2.6. Tier 3 ESA (sites) were erased from WCCA: interim layer 3.2.7. Tier 3 ESA (sites) were erased from FIDS (IBA): interim layer 3.2.8. Tier 3 ESA (sites) were erased from GDS : interim layer 3.2.9. Tier 3 DFS were erased from WCCA: no overlap 3.2.10. Tier 3 DFS were erased from FIDS (IBA): no overlap 3.2.11. Tier 3 DFS were erased from GDS: no overlap 3.2.12. Tier 3 WCCA were erased from FIDS (IBA): interim layer 3.2.13. Tier 3 WCCA were erased from GDS: no overlap 3.2.14. Tier 3 FIDS were erased from GDS : no overlap 3.2.15. Tier 4 ESA (sites) were erased from DFS: interim layer 3.2.16. Tier 4 ESA (sites) were erased from WCCA: interim layer 3.2.17. Tier 4 ESA (sites) were erased from FIDS: interim layer 3.2.18. Tier 4 ESA (sites) were erased from GDS : interim layer 3.2.19. Tier 4 DFS were erased from WCCA: interim layer 3.2.20. Tier 4 DFS were erased from FIDS: interim layer 3.2.21. Tier 4 DFS were erased from GDS: no overlap 3.2.22. Tier 4 FIDS were erased from WCCA: interim layer 3.2.23. Tier 4 FIDS were erased from GDS: no overlap 3.2.24. Tier 4 WCCA were erased from GDS: no overlap 3.2.25. Tier 5 ESA (sites) were erased from WCCA: no overlap 3.2.26. Tier 5 ESA (sites) were erased from FIDS: interim layer 3.2.27. Tier 5 FIDS were erased from WCCA: interim layer 3.3. IMPORTANT NOTE: erase order and layer significance 3.3.1. For Tier 3 WCCA was more significant than FIDS 3.3.2. For Tier 4 FIDS was more significant than WCCA 3.3.3. For Tier 5 FIDS was more significant than WCCA

Process_Date: 20110603

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

4. Merge the various tier layers found within the same tier type to make a single tier layer for each tier.

Process_Date: 20110603

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

5. Union and detach multi-part features within each of the five merged layers. The union process results in polygons that are unidentifiable regarding the resource for which the polygon was originally classified. All resources within that given tier then have equal conservation value. This step negates the need for Step 3, which was intended to preserve the conservation resource reason that a given area was prioritized as it was. This Step (5) was added after the computer ran out of memory during the final erase process before merging the various Tier layers together, and a reduction in the number of polygons and amount of data being processed during that final erase procedure was desired. If this same process is to be done again, then Step 3 can be skipped entirely.

Process_Date: 20110623

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

6. Delete most fields from the attribute table of each of the five merged layers.

Process_Date: 20110623

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

7. Clean slivers manually using the acreages in the attribute table. 7.1. Delete slivers less than 0.1 ac (or 400 sq m). Results: 7.1.1. Deleted 2 slivers from Tier 1 layer. 7.1.2. Deleted 3 slivers from Tier 2 layer. 7.1.3. Deleted 183 slivers from Tier 3 layer. 7.1.4. Deleted 3 slivers from Tier 4 layer. 7.1.5. Deleted 0 slivers from Tier 5 layer.

Process_Date: 20110623

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

8. Erase features hierarchically from among the five tier layers (but OUT OF MEMORY error occurred during this process). 8.1. Manually split some of the larger layers into multiple layers geographically and recombine them into the final tier layer after the erase process is completed.

Process_Date: 20110627

Process_Step:

Process_Description: 9. Merge the five tier layers into a single layer.

Process_Date: 20110628

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

10. Merge the T1-2 ESA clusters into the merged product from Step 9 and make final edits to attribute table.

Process_Date: 20110628

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

11. Use ArcToolbox/Data Management Tools/Features in ArcMap 9.3 to Check Geometry (performed by George Edmonds); over 200 polygon self-intersections were found. Use Repair Geometry (performed by George Edmonds) to remove the self-intersections (polygon count remained the same after this routine was performed.)

Process_Date: 20110630

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

12. Edit the BioNet_v1.shp file to delete the T1-2 ESA Clusters. This portion of the project was not well understood by others and not a good fit for being part of this dataset. It may be reconstituted someday as a different data layer.

Process_Date: 20140410

Cloud_Cover: 0

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: vector

Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

SDTS_Terms_Description:

SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: GT-polygon composed of chains

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Planar:

Grid_Coordinate_System:

Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: State Plane Coordinate System 1983

State_Plane_Coordinate_System:

SPCS_Zone_Identifier: 1900

Lambert_Conformal_Conic:

Standard_Parallel: 38.3

Standard_Parallel: 39.45

Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -77

Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 37.666667

False_Easting: 400000

False_Northing: 0

Planar_Coordinate_Information:

Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: Coordinate Pair

Coordinate_Representation:

Abscissa_Resolution: 0.001024

Ordinate_Resolution: 0.001024

Planar_Distance_Units: meters

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983

Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80

Semi-major_Axis: 6378137

Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: BioNet_v1b.dbf

Entity_Type_Definition: Shapefile attribute table

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: None

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Acres

Attribute_Definition: The area of the polygons measured in acres.

Attribute_Definition_Source: unknown

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Bionet_tier

Attribute_Definition: Conservation priority value of the polygon

Attribute_Definition_Source: DNR Natural Heritage Program

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Hectares

Attribute_Definition: The area of the polygons measured in hectares.

Attribute_Definition_Source: unknown

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: unknown

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Contact_Person: Kevin Coyne

Contact_Position: Chief, Geospatial Information and Analysis

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address:

Tawes State Office Building 580 Taylor Avenue, E-2

City: Annapolis

State_or_Province: Maryland

Postal_Code: 21401-2397

Country: United States

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 410-260-8985

Contact_TDD/TTY_Telephone: 410-260-8835

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 410-260-8759

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: kevin.coyne@maryland.gov

Hours_of_Service: 0800 - 1700 Eastern Time

Resource_Description: Downloadable Data

Distribution_Liability: None

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name: ESRI shape files

Format_Version_Number: Publication Date

Format_Information_Content: Thematic spatial data

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name: <http://dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/gis/data/>

Access_Instructions: Please refer to <http://www.dnr.state.md.us/gis/>

Fees: None

Ordering_Instructions: Please refer to <http://www.dnr.state.md.us/gis/>

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name: ESRI shape files

Format_Version_Number: Publication Date

Format_Information_Content: Thematic spatial data

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Offline_Option:

Offline_Media: CD-ROM

Recording_Capacity:

Recording_Density: 650 Megabytes

Recording_Density_Units: Megabytes

Recording_Format: ISO 9660

Compatibility_Information: ISO 9660 compatible CD-ROM drives

Fees: Please refer to www.msgic.state.md.us/techtool

Ordering_Instructions: Please refer to www.msgic.state.md.us/techtool

Turnaround: 1-3 business days after receiving payment.

Standard_Order_Process:

Non-digital_Form:

Paper maps may be available. Please refer to the Maryland Department of Natural Resource's Hardcopy Products Order Form found at <http://www.msgic.state.md.us/techtool> for cost and availability information.

Fees:

DNR charges for the cost of distribution of its paper maps. Please refer to the Maryland Department of Natural Resource's Hardcopy Products Order Form found at <http://www.msgic.state.md.us/techtool> for cost and availability information.

Ordering_Instructions:

Please refer to the Maryland Department of Natural Resource's Hardcopy Products Order Form found at <http://www.msgic.state.md.us/techtool> for cost and availability information.

Turnaround: 1-3 business days after receiving payment.

Custom_Order_Process: None

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20140410

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Lynn Davidson

Contact_Organization:

Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Services

Contact_Position: Conservation Technology Program Manager

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical

Address:

MD DNR, Wildlife & Heritage Service Tawes Office Bldg, E-1

City: Annapolis

State_or_Province: Maryland

Postal_Code: 21401

Country: usa

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 410-260-8563

Contact_TDD/TTY_Telephone: (410) 260-8835

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 410-260-8596

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: lynn.davidson@maryland.gov

Hours_of_Service: 0800-1630, Monday - Friday

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

Metadata_Time_Convention: local time