|
Causes of Forest Fragmentation in the United States |
What this map layer shows:
Forest connectivity and whether fragmentation is from human or natural
causes. |
|
Background Information |
Sample Map
The Land
Cover Characterization Program collects National
Land Cover Data (NLCD), which is used to assess ecosystem status and health, model
nutrient and pesticide runoff, understand spatial patterns of biodiversity,
and develop land use plans and land management policy. The Causes of
Forest Fragmentation map layers were derived from NLCD by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS). These map layers
are grid maps of the conterminous United States, showing both forest
connectivity and whether fragmentation is from human or natural causes.
The layers are the first to identify sources of forest fragmentation,
and may be useful for decision makers in identifying forest areas for
protection or restoration.
The National Atlas offers three map layers showing causes of forest fragmentation
in the lower 48 States of the United States, at resolutions of 1 kilometer,
540 meters, and 270 meters. The data are presented in three bands: one
each for forest connectivity, human-caused fragmentation, and natural
fragmentation. A related map layer showing the Classification
of Forest Fragmentation shows the amount and type of forest fragmentation in North
America. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|