Description: Using data below, a weighted-sum scoring process and clustering analysis was used to evaluate potential coastal conservation focus areas within the Connecticut Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) Project Area. Weights were assigned to reflect relative value among the different criteria. Conservation scores were then generated by summing the weighted values each criteria contributed to a location. Lastly a clustering analysis was used to identify concentrations of similar scores as focus areas. Areas with concentrations of high conservation value scores are identified as potential focus area “hot-spots.” Conversely areas with concentrations of lower scores and lower potential conservation value are represented by greens and blues. Developed areas and existing protected open space were removed from consideration and are not reflected in this data.
Data Sources:
- 2006 UCONN CLEAR Land Use/Land Cover;
- 2002 UCONN CLEAR Forest Blocks;
- 2010 CTDEEP Natural Diversity Database (NDDB) Areas;
- 2009 CTDEEP Critical Habitat Areas;
- 1999 Migratory Waterfowl Areas;
- Proximity Zones Bounding Existing Protected Open Space*
- Potential Advancement Zones for High Priority Coastal Marshlands**
- Coastal Estuarine Land Conservation Planning Project Area
* These define areas within 1/3, 2/3, and 1 mile of protected open space that can provide linkage/connections to and from other resource types.
** These define upland areas adjacent to priority marsh systems potentially capable of supporting marsh migration. Areas are based on a simplified inundation scenario created for CELCP planning purposes assuming a 4 foot rise in mean sea level by 2100.
Data Source Scoring Criteria: (Weight)
1) Forest Blocks <100 acres: (4);
2) Forest Blocks 100-250 acres: (8);
3) Forest Blocks 250-500 acres: (12);
4) Forest Blocks >500 acres: (20);
5) Proximity to Protected Open Space: (15);
6) Potential Marsh Advancement Zones: (14);
7) Rare Species Sites (NDDB sites): (10);
8) Migratory Waterfowl Areas: (6);
9) Critical Habitat: (10);
10) Land Use/Land Cover: (1);
For information on CELCP, see http://coast.noaa.gov/czm/landconservation/?redirect=301ocm
Copyright Text: CT Dept of Energy and Environmental Protection, Office of Long Island Sound Programs