High Value Plant and Animal Habitats
This map viewer is an on-line adaptation of the Beginning with Habitat Map 2. It depicts known rare, threatened, or endangered plant and animal occurrences, as well as “Significant Wildlife Habitat,” “Essential Wildlife Habitat,” and other important wildlife habitats. Maps generated with this tool should be used only as preliminary planning references to identify and illustrate locations of mapped occurrences and habitats. Habitat data sets are updated continuously as more accurate and current data becomes available. However, as many areas have not been completely surveyed, features may be present that are not yet mapped, and the boundaries of some depicted features may need to be revised. Local knowledge is critical in providing accurate data. If errors are noted in the current depiction of resources, please contact our office: www.BeginningWithHabitat.org
Data Components:
• State Listed Animals (ETSC). Wildlife species whose conservation status is listed as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern. Data is based on recent observations and is presented with a generalized buffer.
• Rare Plants. Known rare, threatened, or endangered plant occurrences based on field observations by Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP) staff.
• Exemplary Natural Communities. The MNAP has classified and distinguished 104 different natural community types that collectively cover the state’s landscape. Mapped rare natural communities or ecosystems, or exemplary examples of common natural communities or ecosystems, are based on field surveys and aerial photo interpretation.
• Essential Plover and Tern Habitat. Areas currently or historically providing habitat essential to the conservation of endangered Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and Roseate Terns.
• Significant Vernal Pools. Pools or depressions used for breeding by amphibians and other indicator species, as well as surrounding terrestrial habitat within 250 feet of the spring or fall high water mark.
• Deer Wintering Areas (DWA). Forested areas possibly used by deer for shelter during periods of deep snow and cold temperatures. Locations depicted should be considered as approximate only.
• Inland Wading Bird and Waterfowl Habitat (IWWH). Freshwater breeding, migration-staging, and wintering habitats for inland waterfowl , and breeding, feeding, loafing, migration, or roosting habitats for inland wading birds.
• Tidal Wading Bird and Waterfowl Habitat (TWWH). Breeding, migration-staging, or wintering areas for coastal wading birds and waterfowl. TWWH habitats include eelgrass, emergent wetlands, tidal flats, and mussel beds.
• Seabird Nesting Island. An island, ledge, or portion thereof in tidal waters with documented, nesting seabirds or suitable nesting habitat for endangered seabirds.
• Shorebird Area. Coastal staging areas that provide feeding habitat, such as tidal mudflats, or roosting habitat, such as gravel bars or sand spits for migrating shorebirds.
• Shellfish Beds. Generalized distribution of harvestable locations for eight mollusk species.
• Atlantic Salmon Habitat. Assessments of spawning and rearing habitats from field surveys conducted on the mainstems and selected tributaries of 15 Maine rivers. The dataset was intended for use in planning activities, including habitat protection efforts.
• Wild Brook Trout Habitat. These data represent stream and pond habitats in Maine known to be actively used by wild brook trout. The data were generated from survey records compiled from 1990-2011 or are areas actively managed as wild brook trout fisheries.
This application has been provided by Beginning with Habitat with assistance from Corson GIS Solutions and is intended for planning purposes only. Neither Beginning with Habitat nor Corson GIS Solutions accept any liability for the completeness or accuracy.
Application by Corson GIS Solutions
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