soil maps & surveys

Map Analysis

Map Analysis

Sk DStockbridge silt loam 15‐20% slope

Stockbridge is the soil series name.

Stockbridge silt loam 15‐20% slopes is the phase.

map units

Map Analysis

Soil properties useful for predicting habitats:

• reaction (pH) 

• drainage class

• texture

• depth to bedrock

•slope

Map Analysis

reaction (pH)

neutral

fensacidic crests

extremely acidic

extremely alkaline

Soil chemistry influences plant & animal communities, and is a useful predictor of certain habitats.

Map Analysis

drainage class

excessively drained DRIESTsomewhat excessively drainedwell drainedmoderately well drainedsomewhat poorly drainedpoorly drainedvery poorly drained WETTEST

Map Analysis

textureexamples of  texture classes:

sand  silty clay

loamy sand clay

silt loam organic

…and so forth.

Map Analysis

texture

finest coarsest

clay silt sand

loam is a mixture of clay, silt, and sand

Map Analysis

A 0‐3% level to gently slopingB 3‐8% gently slopingC 3‐15% gently to strongly slopingD 15‐35% strongly sloping to steep, or hillyE 25‐45% moderately steep to very steepF 35‐60% very steep

Slope          15‐20% slope

Sk D

Stockbridge silt loam

3‐15% slope

Sk C

Stockbridge silt loam

Map Analysis

Sk DStockbridge silt loam 15‐20% slope

map units

Manual Table 17: Stockbridge calcareous mineral >40” to bedrock till W

Map Analysis

Examples of useful symbols on soil maps:

= gravelly spot

= rock outcrops

= wet spot

Check the soil survey legend for more symbols.

= spring

Soil exercise

Map Analysis

bedrock geology maps

Map Analysis

Manual Table 18: Oag sedimentary graywacke, shale pC

bedrock geology maps

Wetland Maps

NYS Freshwater Wetland MapsNational Wetland Inventory (NWI)

Map Analysis

• Introduction to biodiversity in Columbia County– Current threats to biodiversity– General conservation principles– Habitats of Columbia County

• Biodiversity assessment methods– Topographic maps– Soil surveys– Geology and wetland maps

• Lunch

Agenda: morning

Biodiversity Assessment

• Lunch

• Biodiversity assessment methods (continued)– Aerial photos

• Land use and conservation considerations

• Site plan review

• Biodiversity and the human community

Agenda: afternoon

Biodiversity Assessment

Aerial Photo Analysis

forestry‐suppliers.com

• Lunch

• Biodiversity assessment methods (continued)– Aerial photos

• Land use and conservation considerations

• Site plan review

• Biodiversity and the human community

Agenda: afternoon

Biodiversity Assessment

What are “edge effects” ?

Edge effects are the negative influences of habitat edges on interior habitats and species.

HABITAT  PATCH

Forest

Influence on abioticfactors25 ft

Forest

Bird flushingdistance50 ft

25 ft, Abiotic factor influence

Forest

25 ft, Abiotic factor influence

50 ft, Bird flushing distance

Influence on smallmammals150 ft

Forest

Nest predation & parasitism160 ft

25 ft, Abiotic factor influence

50 ft, Bird flushing distance

150 ft, Influence on small mammals

Forest

25 ft, Abiotic factor influence

50 ft, Bird flushing distance

150 ft, Influence on small mammals

160 ft, Nestpredation& parasitism 

Influence on plants215 ft

Forest

CORE

25 ft, Abiotic factor influence

50 ft, Bird flushing distance

150 ft, Influence on small mammals

160 ft, Nestpredation& parasitism 

215 ft, Influence on plants

Influence on bird densities600 ft

Forest

Forest

Buffer 600 ft

Edge effects

CORE

EDGE

HABITAT  PATCH

How much useful habitat?

(Environmental Law Institute)

How much useful habitat?

(Environmental Law Institute)

70%

30%60%

40%

80%

20%

Edge

Core

> >

largest area of useful habitat

smallest area of useful habitat

Edge to Core Ratio

msnbc.com

msnbc.com

Priority Habitats and Conservation Zones

- Select rare or important habitats

- Choose focal animal (or group)

- Use that animal’s requirements to designate Conservation Zone

frequent annual movement:

750 ft

Conservation Zone:

750-foot radius from each intermittent woodland pool

intermittent woodland pool Jefferson salamander

Erik Kiviat

IWP

750 ft (230 m)

Priority Habitats and Conservation Zones

Conservation Zone:

750-foot radius from each intermittent woodland pool

Priority Habitats and Conservation Zones

Town of Rhinebeck

Intermittent Woodland Pools

selected perennial streams wood turtle 650 ft

other streams (various) 160 ft

fen/calcareous wet meadow bog turtle 2500 ft

kettle shrub pool Blanding’s turtle 3300 ft

intermittent woodland pool pool breeding amphibians 650 ft

oak-heath barren northern copperhead 1000 ft

Habitat Focal species Conservation Zone

Priority Habitats and Conservation Zones

Isolated meadow

Road fragmentation

Linear habitat

Not a viable corridor

Disrupting and developing farmland

• Lunch

• Biodiversity assessment methods (continued)– Aerial photos

• Land use and conservation considerations

• Site plan review

• Biodiversity and the human community

Agenda: afternoon

Biodiversity Assessment

The Waterlands development proposal

Sewage Treatment Plant

Waterlands Development Proposal

1.  What are the biodiversity constraints?

2.  How well does the site design accommodate thoseconstraints?

3.  How would you improve the design from a biodiversitystandpoint?

IWP and 750 ft pool‐breeding amphibian conservation zone

• Lunch

• Biodiversity assessment methods (continued)– Aerial photos

• Land use and conservation considerations

• Site plan review

• Biodiversity and the human community

Agenda: afternoon

Biodiversity Assessment