Skip navigation.

The Official Website of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG)

 
Natural Heritage and Endangered Species

BioMap2

Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

November 2010

Natural Heritage LogoBioMap2 is designed to guide strategic biodiversity conservation in Massachusetts over the next decade by focusing land protection and stewardship on the areas that are most critical for ensuring the long-term persistence of rare and other native species and their habitats, exemplary natural communities, and a diversity of ecosystems. BioMap2 is also designed to include the habitats and species of conservation concern identified in the State Wildife Action Plan.

BioMap2 Partnership Logos

The New BioMap

In 2001 and 2003 the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program produced the original BioMap and Living Waters biodiversity conservation plans. BioMap2, developed in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, replaces the earlier plans.

BioMap2: Updated and Enhanced

In BioMap2, all information has been updated to reflect

  • Improved GIS spatial data on land development and land use changes, as well as the nearly 170,000 acres of land conserved in Massachusetts since 2001;
  • Over 4,000 new observations and updated data on species and natural communities now in the Natural Heritage Program's database;
  • A better understanding of the geographic extent and types of suitable habitat needed to support many of our MESA-listed species; and
  • Integration of the analyses of the terrestrial species and habitats included in BioMap with the freshwater aquatic resources included in the original Living Waters plan.

The taxonomic and ecological scope of BioMap2 has been enhanced to

  • Encompass other vulnerable fish and wildlife species and the habitats identified in Massachusetts' State Wildlife Action Plan;
  • Use state-of-the art models of Ecological Integrity to identify intact upland, wetland, riverine, and coastal ecosystems and landscapes across the state; and
  • Include ecologically resistant and resilient ecosystems to better address anticipated effects of climate change

Partners

Showy Lady's SlipperShowy Lady's Slipper, Special Concern (Photo by: Joanne Singfield)

The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program is responsible for the conservation and protection of Massachusetts' biodiversity through biological research and inventory, endangered species regulation, rare species recovery, habitat restoration, education, information management, and land protection.

The Nature Conservancy's mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Nature Conservancy's Massachusetts Program has focused on analyses and conservation of globally important forests, rivers, wetlands, and coastal systems.

BioMap2 Funding

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts funded the BioMap2 project largely from capital bond funds and from the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund. The Department of Fish and Game also gratefully acknowledges a critical grant received from the Open Space Institute, with support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The Nature Conservancy is especially grateful for support from The Ackerman Conservation Fund, Toward Sustainability Foundation, and Elinor M. and Joel L. Siner.

BioMap2 Summary Report Citation

Woolsey, H., A. Finton, J. DeNormandie. 2010. BioMap2: Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World. MA Department of Fish and Game/Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program and The Nature Conservancy/Massachusetts Program.

BioMap2 Technical Report Citation

Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. 2011. BioMap2 Technical Report - Building a Better BioMap: A supplement to BioMap2: Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, MA.

Comments

We would be very interested in hearing your feedback! Please send any comments to natural.heritage@state.ma.us with "BioMap2" in the subject line.