Mapping and PrioritizingHabitat Restoration

with the Tennessee State Wildlife Action

Plan

Joey WisbyGIS Manager

Tennessee Chapter ofThe Nature Conservancy

Relational Databases(MS Access)

Data Management Modeling Input/Output

GIS(ArcGIS)

Spatial Relationships Mapping Results Visualizatioin/Interaction

TN Plan Database Concept

Capture & Organize Information about 8 Elements Detailed Comprehensive Spatially Explicit

Define relationships between elements

Use models to allow evaluation and prioritization

Observations of Conservation Target Species

Sources:• TDEC Natural Heritage• TVA Heritage• TWRA Non-Game Inventory Program• TWRA Aquatic Database (TADS)• Scientific Collection Permits• Various Others – BISON, etc.

Faunal Group

2005 2013

Aquatic 5,268 22,035

Subterranean

961 6,000+

Terrestrial 19,396 47,525

Mollusk Hosts

n/a 131,008

Prioritization and Weighting of GCN Species Observations

Species Conservation Priority Score:• Weight by Rarity/Legal Status• G Rank (40 pts)• S Rank (40 pts)• Federal Status (10 pts)• TN State Status (10 pts)• Exponential (G1 = 40, G2 = 20, G3 = 10, etc)

•Viability/Confidence Scores for Observations• Last Observation Date (old records, less points)• Heritage EO Ranks Where Available

Linking GCN Species Observations to Habitats

• Terrestrial Occurrences Linked to 700-acre hexagon clusters called rosettes

• Aquatic Occurrences Linked to NHDPlus Flowlines & Associated Catchments

• Subterranean Observations Linked to Cave Systems• Cave system entrances linked to 100-acre hexagons

Modeled Species Footprint for Pygmy Salamander

Mapped Habitat Preferences for Pygmy

Salamander

Habitat Priorities forPygmy Salamander

Terrestrial Habitat Priorities

Aquatic Conservation Targets

Upper Duck

Aquatic Habitat PrioritiesUpper Duck

Priority Areas Upstream of Aquatic Habitat

Priorities

Aquatic Habitat Priorities

Mollusk Population Restoration Priorities

Evaluating Terrestrial Habitat Restoration Priorities

• Assume mapped semi-natural habitat restored to dominant matrix forest type within subregion

• Use restored habitat preference scores (P) for existing GCN occurrences in/around semi-natural habitat

Net Restoration Priority =

Restored Score – Current Semi-natural Score

If had antecedent or other potential restoration habitat map, could use to dictate restoration scenario

Restoration Priorities: Terrestrial Semi-Natural Habitats

to Matrix Forest Ecological System

Terrestrial Habitat

Priorities

Stones River Watershed

Potential Wetland

Priorities

Stones River Watershed

Aquatic Habitat

Priorities

Stones River Watershed

Riparian Priorities for Adjacent and Downstream

Aquatic Habitats

Stones River Watershed

Riparian Priorities for

Terrestrial and In/Downstream

Aquatic Habitats

Stones River Watershed

Riparian Priorities for

Terrestrial and In/Downstream

Aquatic Habitats

Stones River Watershed

Streamside Buffer Priorityto Abate Ag.-Related Risk

Streamside Buffer Priorityto Abate Ag.-Related Risk