A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...
A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...
A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...
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The NJ Landscape Project, instituted by <strong>the</strong> NJ DEP’s Division <strong>of</strong> Fish, Game and Wildlife, strives ! to<br />
provide protection to rare species and <strong>the</strong>ir habitat, via data ga<strong>the</strong>ring and dissemination. The Project<br />
focuses on specific land units or Landscape Protection Areas, which are defined by "existing public lands,<br />
5<br />
physiographic boundaries and regions <strong>of</strong> high biodiversity." Regional in design, <strong>the</strong> program strives to<br />
provide defensible in<strong>for</strong>mation to regulators, land managers and planners.<br />
Forest Stewardship Program promotes management <strong>of</strong> private woodlands to benefit wildlife, ! recreation,<br />
aes<strong>the</strong>tics, water quality, and also timber and wood production. The program <strong>of</strong>fers long-term,<br />
comprehensive management <strong>for</strong> landowners <strong>of</strong> 5-1000 acres <strong>of</strong> non-industrial private <strong>for</strong>est.<br />
Strategies<br />
Planning<br />
Plant habitat protection strategies <strong>of</strong>ten parallel those <strong>for</strong> wildlife; <strong>the</strong>y include:<br />
Maintaining large patches <strong>of</strong> native vegetation to prevent fragmentation (breaking up <strong>of</strong> contiguous<br />
!<br />
parcels)<br />
Rank and prioritize species identified <strong>for</strong> protection; provide habitat requirements accordingly<br />
!<br />
Guiding development activities away from wetlands, riparian zones, ledges, or mature <strong>for</strong>ests<br />
!<br />
Maintain and manage significant ecological processes (e.g., floods, fire) in protected areas<br />
!<br />
Map habitat <strong>of</strong> sensitive species; provide protection through local conservation plan<br />
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Design Strategies<br />
Some key components constituting a habitat:<br />
! Climate suitability<br />
Diversity !<br />
Risks from pest, disease, or urbanization<br />
!<br />
Tendency to invade<br />
!<br />
Sustainability<br />
!<br />
Exotic vs. Native (exotics may be invasive<br />
!<br />
& have no support value <strong>for</strong> native wildlife)<br />
Regional & Microclimate Conditions:<br />
!<br />
vegetation È<br />
topography È<br />
intended use È<br />
grouping <strong>of</strong> plants by water needs<br />
È<br />
soil analysis È<br />
wind direction<br />
È<br />
sun exposure È<br />
Zoning and Site Plan Ordinances<br />
Special Overlay District that protects habitat by providing<br />
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protection <strong>of</strong> vegetative cover, including trees<br />
È<br />
setbacks from sensitive areas such as wetlands and streams<br />
È<br />
avoidance <strong>of</strong> critical habitat<br />
È<br />
* Virginia Snakeroot<br />
Habitat Protection Zone: prevent traffic-intensive or people-intensive activities<br />
!<br />
River Corridor Per<strong>for</strong>mance Standards<br />
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Vegetation <strong>Management</strong>: regulate cutting <strong>of</strong> trees or vegetation known to be sensitive habitat; control<br />
!<br />
types <strong>of</strong> vegetation removed or planted<br />
Tree Removal and Protection Ordinance (Ten Town Great Swamp Watershed Committee “Draft Model<br />
!<br />
Environmental Ordinances,” 1997.<br />
5<br />
Jeanette Bowers-Altman, "New Jersey's Landscape Project," Nongame News (NJ DEP, 1994) 7.<br />
153<br />
Vegetation
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