Biodiversity Guide - The Intertwine

egional conservation strategybiodiversity guideappendix B Habitat Prioritization Modelingfigure B-3High-Value Habitat - Urban onlyfigure B-4Understanding Conditions at Multiple ScalesSt. HelensLaCenterAn important benefit of our approach is the flexibility to analyzedata at any scale, from the 3,000-square-mile region to the localneighborhood. The following examples represent patterns of landcover and relative conservation value as one zooms in from theregional to the neighborhood scale.BanksForestGroveCorneliusNewbergHillsboroScappooseBeavertonTigardTualatinSherwoodWilsonvilleThis graphic presents the top30% output of the habitatprioritization model for the region'surban areas (UGBs and UGAs). The5-meter pixel size of our raster-baseddata allows for effective analysis ofWoodburnthe conservations value at a variety ofscales, and is especially useful in thehighly fragmented habitats of themore developed portions of the region. The raster output allowsfor targeted prioritizations within a smaller area of interest: in thiscase, urban areas.RidgefieldLakeOswegoMilwaukieCanbyPortlandVancouverOregonCityMolallaBattleGroundHappyValleyCamasGreshamDamascusTroutdaleWashougalEstacadaSandyUrban Top 30%High-Value HabitatHigh-Value Habitat - Top 30% of urban areas, based on modeled outputOf the 114,000 acres in the urban top 30%:- 85,400 acres are in Oregon (30.1% of Oregon RCS urban areas; 4.7% of total RCS)- 28,600 acres are in Washington (32.3% of Washington RCS urban areas; 1.6% of total RCS)Regional 1”=6.3 miles, or 33,333 feetLocal 1”=0.85 miles, or 4,500 feetNeighborhood 1”=0.19 miles, or 1,000 feetHighest ValueMedium-Low ValueRegionalAt the regional geographic scale, most small, local habitatsare not apparent. Only the most prominent features standout, such as rivers and large forest blocks. The highest scoringareas reflect habitats that have significant conservationvalue within the 3,000-square-mile region. Most highly fragmentedurban habitats are not represented at this scale eventhough these areas are critical to regional biodiversity.LocalAt this intermediate scale, finer habitat patterns are moreapparent while regional elements are still prominent. In thisexample, blocks of habitat barely visible at the regional scalebecome more dominant. For example, patterns of streettree density within east Portland become recognizable as apotential regional planning element. Opportunities to createecological connections between regional sites are suggested.Only the highest scoring areas at this scale are likely to haveregional significance.NeighborhoodAt the local scale, the neighborhood, features that appearless significant at the regional scale are apparent. Habitatsbarely or not recognizable at larger scales, such as localparks, creeks, vegetated hillsides, or tree patches can bewoven into a meaningful framework and incorporatedinto local habitat conservation planning, neighborhood byneighborhood.176High ValueMedium-High ValueLow ValueLeast Value177