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The NHESP Natural Communities datalayer consists of polygons that
represent the extent of various natural communities of biodiversity
conservation interest in Massachusetts. These polygons are based on
records of natural communities maintained in the Natural Heritage &
Endangered Species Program (NHESP) database. Program scientists classify
and delineate natural community polygons by analyzing
"on-the-ground" field data and available information about the
landscape (particularly topographic maps and aerial photographs). All
sites in the NHESP database have been visited by NHESP biologists or by
other biologists who have submitted reports on community occurrences
that NHESP biologists have reviewed and accepted. Aquatic community
types are not included. The polygons are spatially represented at
1:25,000 or 1:24,000. The natural community types are from Swain, P.C.
and J. B. Kearsley. 2001, Classification of the Natural Communities of
Massachusetts, Version 1.3. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species
Program. The classification is available as pdf files from
http://www.nhesp.org or as paper copies purchased from NHESP. The draft
classification names and describes 105 natural community types found in Massachusetts.
The datalayer is based on information on natural communities determined
by NHESP to be of biodiversity conservation importance on a statewide
basis. It is not intended to be part of a comprehensive vegetation map
of the state. Additional verified natural community occurrences received
during and after the preparation of this datalayer will be included in
future iterations of the datalayer.
These polygons are not related to "Priority Habitat" or
"Significant Habitat" as defined by the regulations of the
Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA). Natural Communities are not
protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, but the rare
species that may occur within some of these natural communities are
protected by that law.
Data Provided By:
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
Content date:
9/1/2006
Citation:
Title: NHESP Natural Communities Credits: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program Publication Date: September, 2006
Contact Organization:
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
Contact Person(s):
David Szczebak
Use Constraints:
The legend that MUST accompany this datalayer on all maps is:
"NHESP Natural Communities, 2006 edition"
Please note that NHESP Natural Community polygons were designed for use at a regional or town scale. For accurate portrayal, the data should be displayed at scales of equal to or less than 1:25,000 (e.g., 1:30,000).
This datalayer is intended for conservation planning purposes only. It is NOT intended to be used for regulatory purposes. Other NHESP layers - Priority Habitats of Rare Species and Estimated Habitats of Wetland Wildlife - are designed for regulatory use. They are produced in the Natural Heritage Atlas, and are available from MassGIS at http://www.mass.gov/mgis/wethab.htm and http://www.mass.gov/mgis/prihab.htm.
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