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Identifies landscape characteristics based on amounts and distribution of forested land. These data provide insight to existing conditions for your community and can inform decision making related to forests and other land management issues. Additionally, association of forested land within or near the Southeastern Ecological Framework (SEF) helps identify areas that can be protected, enhanced or restored to ensure ecosystems function for the long term health of the community. Data sets in the Forest map are described below:
Watersheds
A data set used to show watershed boundaries. A watershed includes all the land where water, from rain or runoff, drains to a specific river or water body. Ridges of high land separate watersheds from each other. Also, every waterway has its own watershed and every person lives within a watershed. For example, if rain that falls on your yard flows down the street and into a creek that eventually ends in the Hillsborough River, then you live in the Hillsborough Watershed. This data set was developed using US Geological Survey data for 8-digit hydrologic unit codes (HUCs) (this size shows watersheds for large rivers). Information for smaller watersheds (i.e. 11-digit HUCs which includes smaller streams) can be found at Site1. For information on pollution sources within your watershed, check out EPA's Surf Your Watershed at Reference 2.
Reference 1 , Reference 2 , Reference 3 , Funding Information (search by # 10.906 or Watershed )
States
The states data set shows state boundaries and serves as a visual reference to identify natural resources that may cross state lines. To adequately protect your community's resources within the SEF may require a collaborative effort with neighboring counties may be required. This is important for developing strategies for resource protection efforts in approximately 150 watersheds that cross over state lines. For additional information on counties you can link to the census bureau at Site.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 15.916 or Outdoor recreation )
Counties
The county data set shows the county boundaries. This provides a visual reference for identifying locations on the map and navigating around the other data sets. To adequately protect your community's resources within the SEF may require a collaborative effort with neighboring counties may be required. For additional information on counties you can link to the census bureau at Reference 1.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 10.772 or Empowerment zones )
Highways
The highways data set shows the Major Highways (based upon the 1995 Tiger database) within the specific map area. Highways serve as reference points to locate areas on the map. Combining the highways set with the SEF data sets allows you to easily identify locations where ecological areas are being fragmented or will be fragmented by future highway and land development. For more information on the Tiger data base and documentation go to Site1.
Reference 1 , Funding Information
Federal_Lands (Agbur)
The Federal Lands data set shows the locations of lands owned by the US Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Parks Service, Department of Defense, Tennessee Valley Authority and Bureau of Indian ffairs. Additional information can be obtained at Site1 from the Census Bureau.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 66.034 or Clean Air Act )
Riparian_Mask
This data set shows the different land types (agricultural, forest, urban, etc.) within a 100-foot buffer along the banks of a particular waterway. A riparian buffer is the area along a stream or riverbank that is covered by natural vegetation (i.e. trees, bushes, etc.). The riparian buffer helps filter pollutants and contaminants from water flowing into the waterway and reduce destructive riverbank erosion. This data set was created using National Land Cover Data (NLCD) and US Geological Survey data. This data can help identify riparian buffer areas that are either in their natural state and need preservation, have been altered by rural, urban or agricultural activities or are under possible threat of alteration or removal. The University of Nebraska in Lincoln has excellent documentation on riparian buffers in agricultural landscapes at Site1. The National Agroforestry Center identifies 50 feet in their riparian buffer design for croplands. For more information on this issue you can read their report at Site2.
Reference 1 , Reference 2 , Funding Information (search by # 66.419 or Water Pollution )
SEF_Detail
Identifies the hubs and connectivity of the SEF along with other areas outside the SEF designated as Priority Ecological Areas (PEA) and Significant Ecological Areas (SEA). Areas outside of the SEF that provide ecological services are displayed because of the value in connecting localized priorities within the context of the larger ecological picture. While the Hubs and Connectivity components are the backbone of the SEF, the PEA/SEA data provides the opportunity to integrate these areas into a community's overall design of greenspace protection. Visit Site1 for more information on the development of the Priority Ecological Areas, Significant Ecological Areas, and overall modeling process of the SEF.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 66.419 or Water Pollution )
Forest
The Forest data set, compiled using National Land Cover Data (NLCD) shows the following four forested land cover types: evergreen; upland deciduous; mixed; and forested wetlands. This data set is at a 30-meter resolution. Identification of forest types and locations is a helpful tool for understanding the various habitats in your community. In addition, each forest type has its own unique role in both providing and protecting natural resources. For example, some forest types are better resources for lumber and paper products while others play a vital role in watershed protection and air quality. Additional land cover information can be found at Site1 for National Land Cover Data Availability, Site2 for NLCD Land Cover Class Definition and Site3 for National Land Cover Characterization.
Reference 1 , Reference 2 , Reference 3 , Funding Information
Forest_Density
The percentage of forested land cover within a 1-kilometer (.63 mile) cell. The US Forest Service using satellite data developed this coverage. This data is from the early 1990s. For additional information on forest density go to Site1. For funding opportunities to protecting forest resources go to Fund to find information on the USDA Forest Service's Legacy Program.
Reference 1 , Funding Information
Pct_Riparian_Forest_in_HUC
The Forested Riparian data set shows both the percentage of and total acres of forested land within each 100-meter wide riparian buffer for a given watershed. A riparian buffer is the area along a stream or riverbank that is covered by natural vegetation (i.e. trees, bushes, etc.). This data was compiled using the US Geological Survey's National Land Cover Data (NLCD). Additional land cover information can be found at Site1 for National Land Cover Data Availability, Site2 for NLCD Land Cover Class Definition and Site3 for National Land Cover Characterization.
Reference 1 , Reference 2 , Reference 3 , Funding Information
Pct_Forest_in_HUC
The Forested Watershed data set shows both the percentage of and total acres of forested land in each watershed. This data was compiled using the US Geological Survey's National Land Cover Data (NLCD). For additional data resources, scroll down to the "Other Forest Resources" section at the bottom of this page. Additional land cover information can be found at Site1 for National Land Cover Data Availability, Site2 for NLCD Land Cover Class Definition and Site3 for National Land Cover Characterization.
Reference 1 , Reference 2 , Reference 3 , Funding Information
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