Southern Appalachia
Aquatic Connectivity Analysis
Project Overview
The Southern Appalachian landscape, renowned as “the Biological Crossroads of America,” boasts globally significant biodiversity. Its lush, dense forest canopies have long supported a rich tapestry of life, including numerous aquatic species. This region is not only a haven for diverse flora and fauna but also serves as a critical habitat for imperiled freshwater species. This project focuses on high-priority aquatic species and assesses the extent to which their habitats are threatened by barriers like dams or roads. Summary statistics highlight the proportion of protected habitat within the study area and key land managers. Further analyses illustrate what proportion of barriers intersect with the species' habitats.
The goal of this project is to support NPCA and their regional partners in their conservation efforts in the Southern Appalachians and to contribute to NPCA's role in the 30x30 global initiative.
Objectives
- Analysis on protected land and managed land inside the study area and species habitat distribution.
- Analysis on aquatic barriers inside the study area.
- Identify aquatic species that are a high priority to partners and what proportion of their distribution is under threat by aquatic barriers.
Southern Appalachia Aquatic Conservation Values and Threats Web App
Web App
This map highlights an interactive Web App , designed to enhance our understanding of aquatic conservation values and threats within the Southern Appalachian landscape. This tool is the result of collaborative feedback and incorporates foundational datasets to provide a comprehensive view of this dynamic landscape Highlighted is the proposed study area, which has evolved overtime based on insights from NPCA's Southern Appalachia regional director and partner discussions, showcasing the dynamic nature of our work.
What makes this tool particularly valuable is its real-time updating capability. Partners can access the latest information, view changes as they happen, and toggle different layers to address specific questions relevant to their projects. This flexibility and up-to-date information support effective decision-making and collaborative efforts in protecting our vital aquatic resources.
Left Image | Original Proposed Study Area --- Right Image | Updated Proposed Study Area
Land Use: Protected and Managed
PAD-US GAP Status
This map addresses the first objective, identifying protected land areas and the key land managers in the study area using the USGS Protected Areas Database.
- Areas under GAP status 1 and 2 managed for biodiversity.
- GAP status 3 lands are protected but subject to multiple uses, such as farming, logging etc.
- GAP status 4 lands are areas with no known mandate for protection.
This donut chart was informed by the PAD-US by GAP status dataset from the USGS. It highlights protected areas within the study area. 16% of the land is managed for biodiversity (GAP 1 and 2), and 28% is protected for biodiversity and multiple use (GAP 1, 2, and 3). 69% is unprotected land.
PAD-US Land Managers
This map is from the same PAD-US database, but focuses on who are the land managers in the study area.
Donut chart informed from the PAD-US under Land Manager status from the USGS. Major land managers in the study area are the US Forest Service at 13% and well as the National Park Service at 8%.
Aquatic Conservation Values
Conservation Values
High values indicate areas where unprotected, restricted-range species are likely to occur, making them important for conservation due to their vulnerability and need for protection from threats like habitat loss.
This map highlights areas in the study area where freshwater invertebrates, like mussels and crayfish, are most in need of protection. This is from NatureServes imperiled freshwater species protection weighted range-size rarity database and is part of the Map of Biodiversity (MoBI data collection).
- The protection weighted range-size rarity represents species' habitat ranges combined with the level of protection that habitat receives.
Aquatic Conservation Threats
Conservation and Connectivity Threats
This map dives into the second objective of the aquatic connectivity threats analysis. Highlighted are predicted developed land by 2050 and aquatic barriers (roads and dams) that intersect within ¼ mile of water bodies in the study area.
Donut chart was informed from the National Aquatic Barriers and Prioritization Tool. Summary statistics show what proportion of barriers intersect within a 1/4 mile of water bodies in the study area.
IdentifiedSpecies
Analysis of Threats and Land Protected and Managed on Identified Species
Species Distribution Overlaid with Aquatic Connectivity Threats
Appalachian elktoe (Alasmidonta ravenenalia)
Threats to Appalachian elktoe (Alasmidonta raveneliana)
Donut charts represent the species habitat distribution of the Appalachian elktoe (Alasmidonta raveneliana) specifically within the Southern Appalachian proposed study area. The far left highlights what proportion of the elktoe's distribution is protected, and at what GAP status. The donut chart in the middle shows the proportion of the elktoe's distribution that is managed by different agencies. The donut chart on the right highlights what proportion of habitat distribution is intersected by aquatic barriers within a 1/4 mile of water bodies in the study area.
Eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
Eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
Donut charts represent the species habitat distribution of the Eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) specifically within the Southern Appalachian proposed study area. The far left highlights what proportion of the hellbender's distribution is protected, and at what GAP status. The donut chart in the middle shows the proportion of the hellbender's distribution that is managed by different agencies. The donut chart on the right highlights what proportion of habitat distribution is intersected by aquatic barriers within a 1/4 mile of water bodies in the study area.
Sicklefin redhorse (Moxostoma sp.)
Sicklefin redhorse (Moxostoma sp.)
Donut charts represent the species habitat distribution of the Sicklefin redhorse (Moxostoma sp.) specifically within the Southern Appalachian proposed study area. The far left highlights what proportion of the redhorse's distribution is protected, and at what GAP status. The donut chart in the middle shows the proportion of the redhorse's distribution that is managed by different agencies. The donut chart on the right highlights what proportion of habitat distribution is intersected by aquatic barriers within a 1/4 mile of water bodies in the study area.
Four-Toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)
Four-Toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)
Donut charts represent the species habitat distribution of the Four-Toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) specifically within the Southern Appalachian proposed study area. The far left highlights what proportion of the salamander's distribution is protected, and at what GAP status. The donut chart in the middle shows the proportion of the salamander's distribution that is managed by different agencies. The donut chart on the right highlights what proportion of habitat distribution is intersected by aquatic barriers within a 1/4 mile of water bodies in the study area.
These maps and summary statistics are tools intended to support NPCA and their regional partners in identifying key areas for impactful conservation efforts. By leveraging this data, there’s potential to advocate for stronger conservation policies and allocate resources more effectively towards achieving specific goals.
Using these data-driven tools can hopefully support organizations to take proactive approaches in conservation, enhancing the protection of this unique area and the ecosystems supporting these vital aquatic species to foster healthy and resilient freshwater ecosystems.
