Why is it "BioMap" and not "BioMap3"?
The new BioMap is designed to be a living product. Our aim is that the data will be updated on a more frequent and rolling basis. BioMap is now a dynamic product, rather than a static map to be updated after a long period of time. Eliminating the numbering system reflects this change. In the future, BioMap will be updated when there are significant changes to the source data, such as the NHESP database, Land Cover/Land Use, protected open space, etc. Most likely, individual components of BioMap will be updated based on when these data thresholds arise, rather than a comprehensive update to all data components at once. Periodic updates to mapping tools, information modules, and websites are also anticipated. There is no prescribed timeline for when these updates will happen.
What is the difference between BioMap and NHESP Priority and Estimated Habitat?
BioMap is intended as a proactive tool for conservation planning and action. In contrast, Priority and Estimated Habitat maps are used for determining whether a proposed project must be reviewed by our Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program for compliance with the MA Endangered Species Act (MESA) and Wetlands Protection Act (WPA). You can view the Priority and Estimated Habitat layers using the online mapper. Access the online mapper here.
How can I get more information about my town or area of interest?
There are multiple ways to access information about a town or area of interest. The new BioMap Town Reports allow quick and easy access to the most relevant information for each municipality—supporting planning, grant proposals, and advancing BioMap’s mission of strategic protection and stewardship of the lands and waters that are most important for conserving biodiversity. Use this link to access the Town Reports on Mass.gov. The reports provide an overview of BioMap, a detailed summary of BioMap’s biodiversity components within each municipality, and a link that brings users directly to the town map.
In addition to the Town Reports, BioMap interactive mapper users can create their own reports for a town or area of interest using the Summary Report tool in the top left corner of the interactive map. This creates a report and map summarizing data for the area the user selects, using a town name, a shape you draw, or Assessor's parcels. The tool will produce a report for the whole area, which you can print as a PDF. Also featured on the interactive map is a print button which allows users to create a custom map that can be printed or saved as a PDF.
Where can I find more information about rare species in my area?
BioMap does not provide site-specific rare species data other than the total number of species because it is meant as a conservation tool rather than for regulatory purposes. Site-specific information, if released in an unrestricted manner, can directly jeopardize specific rare species occurrences through collecting, harvesting, destroying or disturbing with either malicious or benevolent intents. For more information about specific rare species that occur at a town level, visit the Rare Species Viewer on the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) database. To receive a list of state-listed species that coincide with a particular property, submit an Information Request Form to NHESP. The fee for an information request form is not required if the request is for conservation purposes or habitat management and you are a non-profit conservation group, government agency or are working with a government agency.
Where does the BioMap data come from?
The BioMap data are a combination of MassWildlife data in the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species database, resiliency data from The Nature Conservancy, and modeling data from the UMass Amherst Landscape Ecology Program including the Conservation Assessment and Prioritization System (CAPS) Index of Ecological Integrity. Additionally, data from MassGIS such as Land Use, hydrologic features, aerial imagery, etc. were utilized for the creation of BioMap datasets. These data were verified by MassWildlife staff scientists and then factored into the analyses for each component of BioMap. For more information about the data and methodologies, a technical report will be released soon. Access BioMap resources on this page.
Local Components:
The data behind the Local Components come from the same sources as the statewide Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape data, including the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program database, data from the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, and data on ecological integrity from UMass and resilience from TNC. The local components utilize the same or similar methodologies as the statewide components, just on a smaller scale and calculated for each municipality individually. The Local Components are not derived from sources such as town resident observations. Get information on Local Components.
Regional Components:
To complement connectivity embedded in the Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape components, BioMap’s Regional Connectivity component shows areas that are particularly important for maintaining large-scale connections across eastern North America. Regional Connectivity is a simplified version of The Nature Conservancy’s Connectivity and Climate Flow data, which identify areas that support the gradual movement of populations in response to changes in the climate; over time resulting in range shifts. Get information on Regional Components.
How are the TNC Resilience data incorporated into BioMap?
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Resilience data was incorporated into some of the BioMap components including Forest Core, Wetland Core, and Landscape Blocks. The resilience data identify places with topographic diversity and habitat connectivity that allow species to find suitable habitat in response to climate change. The data are “continuous data”, and therefore do not define conservation units that can be built into conservation plans or actions. In BioMap, the data are built into the more tangible, mapped conservation units as BioMap components.
BioMap captures about 80% of above average resilience in the state. As such, BioMap users can be confident they are capturing the best of TNC’s resilience data when they use BioMap, however, there are still some places outside of BioMap that are resilient. If you’re looking at a particular parcel, and it doesn’t have BioMap, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s not TNC resilient. It is therefore best to use both data sets to get a full understanding of a parcel.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) resilience data, available on the Resilience Land Mapping Tool, are developed at a national scale, meaning the data are updated on a cycle internal to TNC, rather than in response to new data from individual states.
What properties are included in the Permanently Protected Open Space layer?
The Permanently Protected OpenSpace layer in BioMap is derived from the most recent version of the MassGIS Protected and Recreational OpenSpace layer. The BioMap interactive map displays only those records that are classified as permanently protected (i.e, Level of Protection = In Perpetuity) in the Open Space dataset. Therefore, other properties that are included in the MassGIS OpenSpace layer will not be visible on the BioMap viewer if they are classified as having a Level of Protection of “Temporary”, “Limited”, or “None”. We do this to exclude areas without a permanent and legally binding mechanism for protection of natural resources, as it serves to exclude areas such as cemeteries, ball fields, and private and town lands that are not generally considered as protected for conservation planning, areas that may not protect species and habitats over long time frames. Additionally, we do this to be consistent with our conservation partners’ other conservation planning resources and tools.
The determination of level of protection for protected open space is based upon deed research to determine the level of protection, ownership, and management for each property based upon registry information often provided in the assessor’s parcels dataset or Open Space Recreation Plans, if available. To assist with this process, you can submit a new or missing protected properties or update incorrect or outdated attribute information (such as the level of protection) on the MassGIS Protected OpenSpace data by contacting Ben Smith, GIS Analyst with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs at benjamin.smith@state.ma.us. The Permanently Protected OpenSpace layer and Assessor’s Parcel layer in BioMap will be updated over time as the MassGIS updates their database so these changes will be reflected in the BioMap viewer when a new version of the layer is release by MassGIS.
Why is a specific location not included in BioMap?
BioMap is a product from MassWildlife and The Nature Conservancy that identifies important habitats, ecosystems, and landscapes that support not only plants and animals, but people as well. It is based on a variety of scientifically informed datasets, including both field data and habitat modeling. BioMap is designed as a guide for conservation funding and resources, and thus has certain thresholds and criteria used to prioritize the diversity of habitats across the state. As such, BioMap is an objective, data-driven product.
If you would like to know more about the criteria that went into the delineation of the BioMap components, you can view the Fact Sheets available on our website. Additionally, we are working on a technical report that should be released soon. Access BioMap resources on this page.
How can I submit feedback or ask questions?
BioMap users can submit feedback or ask questions in two ways. On the BioMap website, users can submit feedback by filling out a survey on the Connect with Us page. Additionally, users can send an email to natural.heritage@mass.gov and the BioMap team will respond as soon as possible. We greatly appreciate any feedback you may have about the BioMap data, website, and resources!
| Date published: | October 2, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Last updated: | October 2, 2023 |