Biodiversity Conservation

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Collin Preston
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SITE PLAN REVIEW & BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION Hudsonia Ltd.

Lake Reservation Site Plan Review & Biodiversity

to Biodiversity Principles of Biodiversity Conservation -

information --Procedures for review --Site plan review

processes ecosystems landscapes biological communities

sustain life on earth, and are responsible for: climate

transformation production & decomposition of organic

purification Why do we care Secondary ecosystem

1 SITE PLAN REVIEW & BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION Hudsonia Ltd. Session 3 of a workshop series sponsored by the Teatown Lake Reservation Site Plan Review & Biodiversity Conservation Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Threats to Biodiversity Principles of Biodiversity Conservation break Site Plan Review --Gathering basic information --Procedures for review --Site plan review exercise Biodiversity: the variety of life and its processes ecosystems landscapes biological communities plants, animals, fungi microbes genes Why do we care about biodiversity? Biodiversity is fundamental to the ecosystems that sustain life on earth, and are responsible for: climate moderation oxygen production soil formation nutrient transformation production & decomposition of organic matter carbon storage pollination water and air purification Why do we care about biodiversity? Secondary ecosystem services: food resources other harvestable resources (wood, fiber, medicines) other economic benefits scenic values human health quality of life 1

2 Threats to biodiversity Loss of habitats Degradation of habitats Threats to Biodiversity Threats to Biodiversity Direct destruction of habitats Habitat fragmentation Habitat simplification Depletion, pollution, other alteration of water resources Offsite impacts of human activities Invasive species Direct destruction of habitats Habitat fragmentation Habitat simplification Depletion, pollution, other alteration of water resources Offsite impacts of human activities Invasive species 2

3 Threats to Biodiversity Threats to Biodiversity Direct destruction of habitats Habitat fragmentation Habitat simplification Depletion, pollution, other alteration of water resources Offsite impacts of human activities Invasive species Direct destruction of habitats Habitat fragmentation Habitat simplification Depletion, pollution, other alteration of water resources Offsite impacts of human activities Invasive species Threats to Biodiversity Direct destruction of habitats Habitat fragmentation Habitat simplification Depletion, pollution, other alteration of water resources Offsite impacts of human activities Invasive species 3

4 What are edge effects? What are edge effects? Edge effects are the negative influences of habitat edges on interior habitats and species. EDGE HABITAT PATCH HABITAT PATCH CORE How much useful habitat? How much useful habitat? Edge Core 70% 20% 80% 40% 60% > > 30% largest area of useful habitat (Environmental Law Institute) (Environmental Law Institute) smallest area of useful habitat Influence on abiotic factors 26 ft 4

5 Bird flushing distance 52 ft 26 ft, Abiotic factor influence Influence on small mammals 147 ft 26 ft, Abiotic factor influence 52 ft, Bird flushing distance Nest predation & parasitism 163 ft 26 ft, Abiotic factor influence 52 ft, Bird flushing distance 147 ft, Influence on small mammals Influence on plants 213 ft 26 ft, Abiotic factor influence 52 ft, Bird flushing distance 147, Influence on small mammals 163 ft, Nest predation & parasitism Influence on bird densities 590 ft 26 ft, Abiotic factor influence 52 ft, Bird flushing distance 147 ft, Influence on small mammals CORE 163 ft, Nest predation & parasitism 213 ft, Influence on plants 5

Buffer 600 ft Offsite impacts of human activity noise lights roaming pets

suppression Threats to Biodiversity Direct destruction of habitats Habitat

of water resources Offsite impacts of human activities Invasive species Some

Restore or maintain buffer zones between development and land intended for

Five major rules for locating and designing land development projects Avoid

6 Buffer 600 ft Offsite impacts of human activity noise lights roaming pets invasive species human subsidized predators loss of top predators fire suppression Threats to Biodiversity Direct destruction of habitats Habitat fragmentation Habitat simplification Depletion, pollution, other alteration of water resources Offsite impacts of human activities Invasive species Some general planning measures for protecting biodiversity Consider environmental concerns early in the planning process. Protect contiguous habitat patches in large, circular configurations. Preserve farmland potential. Maintain substantial connectivity between onsite & offsite habitat areas. Restore or maintain buffer zones between development and land intended for habitat. Five major rules for locating and designing land development projects Avoid or minimize habitat fragmentation Maintain and restore links between habitat patches Establish and maintain broad buffer zones around sensitive areas BREAK Maintain natural disturbance processes Create no additional runoff of rainwater or snowmelt 6

7 better better worse HABITAT CORRIDORS Two patches of habitat 7

8 Two patches of habitat (an effective corridor) 8

What you can do: Gather existing biodiversity info, and have it at your fingertips Establish standard procedures for obtaining and considering biodiversity information Finding Existing Information

Finding Existing Information NYSDEC Environmental Resource Mapper NY Natural Heritage Program Significant Biodiversity Areas Existing literature --EISs & EAFs for nearby areas --MCA or Hudsonia

9 What you can do: Gather existing biodiversity info, and have it at your fingertips Establish standard procedures for obtaining and considering biodiversity information Finding Existing Information NYSDEC Environmental Resource Mapper NY Natural Heritage Program Significant Biodiversity Areas Existing literature --EISs & EAFs for nearby areas --MCA or Hudsonia reports --Other reports Experts Finding Existing Information NYSDEC Environmental Resource Mapper NY Natural Heritage Program Significant Biodiversity Areas Existing literature --EISs & EAFs for nearby areas --MCA or Hudsonia reports --Other reports For most sites, comprehensive field surveys have not been conducted; the enclosed reports only include records from our database. We cannot provide a definitive statement on the presence or absence of all rare or state listed species or significant natural communities within your study area. Experts 9

Finding Existing Information For most sites, comprehensive field surveys have not been conducted; the enclosed reports only include

We cannot provide a definitive statement on the presence or absence of all rare or state listed species or significant natural

NYSDEC Environmental Resource Mapper NY Natural Heritage Program Significant Biodiversity Areas Existing literature --EISs & EAFs for

Valley We Hudson Highlands Ward Pound Ridge Hudson Highlands Palisades The Narrows Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Framework: An

10 Finding Existing Information For most sites, comprehensive field surveys have not been conducted; the enclosed reports only include records from our database. We cannot provide a definitive statement on the presence or absence of all rare or state listed species or significant natural communities within your study area. NYSDEC Environmental Resource Mapper NY Natural Heritage Program Significant Biodiversity Areas Existing literature --EISs & EAFs for nearby areas --MCA or Hudsonia reports --Other reports Experts SIGNIFICANT BIODIVERSITY AREAS SIGNIFICANT BIODIVERSITY AREAS Harlem Valley We Hudson Highlands Ward Pound Ridge Hudson Highlands Palisades The Narrows Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Framework: An Approach for Conserving Biodiversity in the Hudson River Estuary Corridor (Penhollow et al. 2006) Finding Existing Information NYSDEC Environmental Resource Mapper NY Natural Heritage Program Significant Biodiversity Areas Insert MCA map here Existing literature --EISs & EAFs for nearby areas --MCA or Hudsonia reports --Other reports Experts 10

11 Finding Existing Information NYSDEC Environmental Resource Mapper NY Natural Heritage Program Significant Biodiversity Areas Existing literature --EISs & EAFs for nearby areas --MCA or Hudsonia reports --Other reports Experts Analyzing Maps Analyzing Maps Geology Topography Soils Wetlands Aerial photos Site plan topographic maps geology maps soils maps aerial photos 11

12 Insert soil survey cover page EXERCISE 1. Proposed 12 lot residential subdivision on 50 ac parcel. 2. Zoning = 3 acre minimum lot size. 3. Red shouldered hawk known to have nested in forest just offsite. 4. Slimy salamander found in talus area onsite. 12

red-shouldered hawk nest slimy salamander Your

Links between areas of conservation concern

13 red-shouldered hawk nest slimy salamander Your task Identify site constraints related to biodiversity. Design 12 lot subdivision that would minimize harm to biodiversity resources. Reviewing a Site Plan 1. Identify site constraints Areas of conservation concern (onsite and offsite) Links between areas of conservation concern Species of conservation concern Conduct a field visit 2. Assess infrastructure and other aspects of the project design relevant to local biodiversity. Stormwater management Culvert and bridge design Lighting Other infrastructure 13

14 Reviewing a Site Plan >>>>Identify Site Constraints <<<< (consider onsite and offsite features) Large forests Large meadows Intermittent streams Perennial streams Springs or seeps Ledge & talus Contiguous habitat areas Habitat corridors Farmland or farmland soils Reviewing a Site Plan Is the proposed project designed to: Avoid or minimize disturbance to the sensitive areas you have identified Minimize habitat fragmentation, and preserve broad links between habitat areas on and off the site Accommodate the needs of species of conservation concern Maintain broad buffer zones around sensitive areas, including but not limited to streams, wetlands, and aquifer recharge areas (continued) Reviewing a Site Plan Minimize impervious surfaces Maintain pre-construction volumes, timing, and patterns of surface water runoff from the site Protect farmland soils, and protect farmland contiguity as much as possible 14

Natural Resources and Climate Resiliency in Germantown

Natural Resources and Climate Resiliency in Germantown Ingrid Haeckel, Andrew Meyer, and Elizabeth Murphy NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University Presentation to the Town of Germantown,