Ecological Landscape Analysis Ecological Landscape Analysis Project Project

Background and Status

Conservation Planning ChallengesConservation Planning Challengesin the West Gulf Coastal Plainin the West Gulf Coastal Plain

Establish landscape-level, population-based

habitat objectives for priority bird species

Characterize changes in habitat quantity and

quality over time

Determine the ecological potential of the

landscape to support particular bird habitats

West Gulf Coastal Plain Ecological West Gulf Coastal Plain Ecological Landscape Analysis ProjectLandscape Analysis Project

Oklahoma

Arkansas

Texas

Louisiana

Arkansas

Oklahoma

Texas

Louisiana

Why Ecological Characterization?Why Ecological Characterization?

==

??

Characterizing Ecosystem Change

and its Implication for Priority Bird Species

European Settlement 1992

Description of Ecological Description of Ecological Landscape Analysis ProjectLandscape Analysis Project

Based on Previous Project: The Nature Conservancy’s Connecticut River Watershed Project

Model Uses Biophysical Attributes: Geology, Soils, Digital Elevation Models (DEMS), Elevation, Slope, Moisture Regimes, etc.

Pilot Project Initiated: Subsection of West Gulf selected based on Rick Turner’s ( of TNC) expertise

Preliminary Model Developed: Described by Jake Cowart and modifications by Amy Keister

New Modeling Efforts with NatureServe: Based on Ecological Systems Classification

Characterize Ecosystem Changes andImplications to Priority Bird Communities

FS Subsections Geology Precipitation

SoilsElevation

WGCP Ecological Asssessmentand Characterization Project

WGCP Ecological Assessment and WGCP Ecological Assessment and Characterization ProjectCharacterization Project

Characterize Ecosystem Changes andImplications to Priority Bird Communities

Digital Elevation Model (DEM)

SlopeLand

PositionCatchment Area & Slope

= Moisture Index

Continuous fields derived directly from DEM

LandPosition

highesthighmiddlelow

> 3525 - 356 - 25< 6

Slope

WetMoistDry

Moisture

Discrete classes broken up from continuous fields

Hydrography

StreamRiverLake/Pond

Development of landform categories

Landform/Topo Features

Cliff Steep Slope Slope CrestUpper Slope Flat Summit SideslopeDry Flat Moist Flat Wet FlatCove/Draw Slope Bottom StreamRiver Lake/Pond

Elevation

> 4500 ft2800 to 4500 ft1700 to 2800 ft< 1700 ft

Lithology

Acidic SedimentaryCalcareousAcidic GraniticUnique

Ecological Land Units (ELU)

Ecological (Biophysical) Land UnitsEcological (Biophysical) Land Units

Current StatusCurrent Status

Our new partnership with NatureServeImprovements in Existing Floodplain ModelGround-truthing of terraces in ArkansasAdditional field work in other states to

verify modelRefine floodplain modelBegin work on upland model

NatureServeNatureServe

A non-profit organization representing a Network of 75 member programs and

partners

Parallel Endeavors of the LMVJV and NatureServeParallel Endeavors of the LMVJV and NatureServe

United States/International

ELAP

Ecological Landscape

Analysis Project

West Gulf Coastal PlainNatureServe Ecological Systems of the United States

ELAP

Advantages of building ELAP around a nationally recognized classification •Facilitate collaboration between Joint Ventures•Increases the chance that our work will persist

Ecological systems:Ecological systems:

represent recurring groups of biological communities that are found in similar physical environments and are influenced by similar dynamic ecological processes, such as fire or flooding.

intended to provide a meso scale classification unit that is readily mappable, often from remote imagery, and readily identifiable in the field.

Advantages of Ecological SystemsAdvantages of Ecological Systems

System occurrences lend themselves more readily to mapping by remote sensing techniques

Ecological systems are broad enough to allow general acceptance of their characterization by most experts

Fewer units = more conducive planning framework

Strategy for Modeling Ecological SystemsStrategy for Modeling Ecological Systems

Eco Regions

– Matrix Ecological Systems

• Linear and Large Patch Ecological Systems

West Gulf Coastal Plain - BCRWest Gulf Coastal Plain - BCR

Consists of 3 Eco-Regions

– Arkansas Valley

– Ouachita Mountains

– West Gulf Coastal Plain

- Proper

West Gulf Coastal Plain – Proper West Gulf Coastal Plain – Proper Eco RegionEco Region

Consists of 3 Matrix Ecological Systems

– Pine-Hardwood Forest

– Upland Longleaf Pine

– Wetland Longleaf Savanna and Flatwoods

Upland Longleaf Pine Upland Longleaf Pine Matrix Ecological SystemMatrix Ecological System

Consists of 10 Linear and Large Patch Ecological Systems

– Large River Floodplain Forest

– Small Stream and River Forest

– Pine-Hardwood Forest

– Mesic Hardwood Forest

– Catahoula Barrens

– Southern Calcareous Prairie

– Seepage Swamp and Baygall

– Wet Hardwood Flatwoods

– Dry Pine-Hardwood Flatwoods

Diagnostic ClassifiersDiagnostic ClassifiersEcological System Soil Geology Slope Position notes

Pine-Hardwood Forest variableUpland, ridgetops and adjacent side

slopes

Mesic Hardwood Forest variable steeper narrow ridge top and side slopes

Catahoula Barrens Catahoula flat known distribution mapable

Southern Calcareous Prairie deepflemming/cook

mountain rolling known distribution mapable

Seepage Swamp and Baygall highly acidic flat lowupland depression and wet creek

bottoms

Large River Floodplain Forest flat low alluvial, brown water

Small Stream and River Forest flat low alluvial, intermittent flooding

Wet Hardwood Flatwoodsfine textured,

hardpan flat lowerPleistocene high terraces, complex

of ridges and swales

Dry Pine-Hardwood Flatwoodsfine textured,

hardpan flat lowPleistocene high terraces, complex

of ridges and swales

WGCP – Ecological Systems ModelingWGCP – Ecological Systems Modeling

Eco Regions

– Matrix Ecological Systems

• Linear and Large Patch Ecological Systems

Current Landcover in the FloodplainsCurrent Landcover in the Floodplains

Urban1%

Herbaceous Wetlands

2%

All Others1%

Evergreen Forest

8%

Mixed Forest10%

Pasture/Hay10%

Deciduous Forest11%

Water12%

Woody Wetlands

33%

Cropland12%

Historic Historic LandcoverLandcover Current LandcoverCurrent Landcover AssumptionsAssumptions

Woody Woody WetlandsWetlands

EmergentEmergent

HerbaceousHerbaceous

WetlandsWetlands

WaterWater

Woody WetlandsWoody Wetlands No ChangeNo Change

Herbaceous Herbaceous WetlandsWetlands No ChangeNo Change

CroplandCropland ConversionConversion

Pasture/HayPasture/Hay ConversionConversion

UrbanUrban ConversionConversion

WaterWater Additional spatial data Additional spatial data neededneeded

Deciduous ForestDeciduous Forest Further research neededFurther research needed

Mixed ForestMixed Forest Further research neededFurther research needed

Evergreen ForestEvergreen Forest Further research neededFurther research needed

All OthersAll Others

Landcover Change Decision MatrixLandcover Change Decision Matrix

Landcover Change in the FloodplainsLandcover Change in the FloodplainsUrban

1%Herbaceous Wetlands

2%

All Others1%

Evergreen Forest

8%

Mixed Forest10%

Pasture/Hay10%

Deciduous Forest11%

Water12%

Woody Wetlands

33%

Cropland12%

No Change

Conversion

Further Research Needed

Additional Spatial Data Needed

ArkansasArkansas LouisianaLouisiana

OklahomaOklahoma TexasTexas

Unchanged

Conversion

Uncertain

Land Use and Land Use Change of Floodplains Land Use and Land Use Change of Floodplains in Lower WGCPin Lower WGCP

2,880,195 2,704,374

384,899 3,008,455

29%

45%

26%

13%

63%

24%

26%

50%

24%

25%

41%

34%

Applications of Ecological Applications of Ecological Characterization and AssessmentCharacterization and Assessment

Assesses the ecological potential of the landscape to support priority bird habitats

Compare ecological potential of the landscape to existing landscape conditions

Identify ecologically appropriate sites for habitat restoration