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The Official Website of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (MassWildlife)

Natural Heritage and Endangered Species

BioMap Methodology & Results

Methodology

Core Habitat is based on verified data that corresponds to actual locations on the ground. The areas mapped were determined by biologists to be those suitable to support viable populations.

Supporting Natural Landscape was created through an analysis that ranked undeveloped areas not already in Core Habitat, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Step 1: Biologists selected population to map based on:

  1. Database Records
  2. Habitat and Resource requirements
  3. Life History and Population Ecology
  4. Threats
  5. Conservation Needs

Step 2: Biologists delineated habitats based on:

Aerial Photography and Topographic Maps

Aerial Photography and Topographic Maps

Step 3: Habitats were coalesced to form BioMap Core Habitats.

BioMap Core Habitat Delineation

Step 4: Supporting Natural Landscape was created using GIS software

Supporting Natural Landscape provides:

  1. Buffering for Core Habitats
  2. Connectivity between Core Habitats
  3. Large, undeveloped vegetation patches

View a graphical representation of this process.

Results: by Species Group

Plant Core Habitat

1,681 rare plant populations, representing 246 rare species

Animal Core Habitat - Invertebrates

Moths and Butterflies - 52 rare species
Dragonflies and Damselflies - 25 rare species
Beetles - 10 rare species
Habitat for assemblages of common invertebrates

Animal Core Habitat - Vertebrates

Birds - 21 rare species
Reptiles and Amphibians - 17 rare species
Mammals - 4 rare species
Habitat for assemblages of common vertebrates

Natural Communities

Terrestrial types - 43
Palustrine types - 4
Estuarine types - 8

Statewide Results

The Biomap identified 1,160,000 acres as Core Habitat, and 970,000 acres as Supporting Natural Landscape.

BioMap Results

Protected Open Space and the Biomap

Fortunately, 450,000 acres of Core Habitat (representing 9 % of Massachusetts) are currently protected. Of the 970,000 acres of Supporting Natural Landscape, 210,000 acres are protected (representing 4% of the state's land area).

BioMap Results and Protected Land

Although a total of 660,000 acres identified on the BioMap are currently protected, we still have major work ahead to ensure the long-term protection of the state's natural heritage. 710,000 acres of the Core Habitat and 760,000 acres of Supporting Natural Landscape, totaling 1,470,000 acres remain unprotected. These areas represent the highest priority for biodiversity protection in Massachusetts.