FLORIDA GEOGRAPHIC DATA LIBRARY DOCUMENTATION
VERSION 2005
TITLE: GREENWAYS PROJECT ECOLOGICAL MODEL RESULTS MODIFIED BY PUBLIC
Geodataset Name: GWECOP Geodataset Type: Grid Geodataset Feature: Polygon
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
This data set contains the Ecological Network Results of the Florida Greenways GIS Decision Support Model as modified by public comment reflecting deletions from the Ecological Network due to existing development or additions of other significant ecological features.
RESOLUTION: 180m X 180m GRID TYPE: Integer DATA SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GEOPLAN CENTER DATE OF AUTOMATION OR SOURCE: 1995 - 1998 SCALE: NA GEODATASET EXTENT: State of Florida
FEATURE ATTRIBUTE TABLES
Data file Name: GWECOP.VAT
COL ITEM NAME WIDTH OUTPUT TYPE N.DEC ALT. NAME 1 VALUE 4 10 B - - 5 COUNT 4 10 B - - 9 DESCRIPT 100 100 C - -
FEATURE ATTRIBUTE TABLES CODES AND VALUES
Item Item description
VALUE Cell Value:
VALUES DESCRIPTION
0 Background (not in modified results)
1 Ecological Model Results Modified by Public Comment
COUNT Number of cells for each value.
DESCRIPT Based on VALUE item description.
USER NOTES:
This dataset is the result of the public review process of the original ecological network model results (GWECO), with areas deleted or added based on changes in landuse, isolation, or additional connected significant ecological features warranting inclusion. Between July 1997 and July 1998 review and comment was conducted using two approaches. Regional Greenways Task Forces reviewed the results and suggested modifications (July 1997 - May 1998) and public hearings were held (October 1997 and June - July 1998) where further modifications were suggested. The Florida Greenways Coordinating Council was asked to review these recommendations and to advise on their appropriateness. Suggested changes to the ecological model results derived from this process were minimal. They included the elimination of a few areas that were no longer suitable for inclusion because of their recent development or isolation from the rest of the network. In central and southeast Florida, there were a few areas suggested for addition to widen and enhance the effectiveness of corridors or to provide additional connectivity. The identified Ecological Network integrates and connects existing conservation areas and currently unprotected areas of high ecological significance, and this information can be used in concert with other information on conservation priorities to develop a more integrated regional landscape protection strategy. For a detailed description of the data used, analytical methods, and modeling process, see:
The Florida Greenways Project Final Report, Phase II, Carr, Margaret H., Paul D. Zwick, Thomas S. Hoctor and Mark A. Benedict. Departments of Landscape Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, and Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida.
A digital version of this report in pdf format should be available on the web at:
www.geoplan.ufl.edu by June, 1999.
We recommend that this dataset (instead of the original model results, GWECO) be used as the primary data layer for conservation planning efforts and analysis, but the two datasets, this one and GWECO can be compared to see what areas were added or deleted through the public review process. However, if the unmodified model results are more apt for your purposes, GWECO is the appropriate dataset to use.
It should also be considered that this dataset is at a resolution of 180 meters (180 m X 180 m cells), which is approximately 8 acre squares. Therefore, users should not expect great accuracy at high resolutions. The modeling and identification effort of a statewide ecological network is intended to serve as a general basis for state level conservation planning. It may serve as an adequate framework or guide for regional and local conservation planning efforts, but it should be supplemented by more resolute datasets and analyses especially at the local level. The conservation/land protection process should also always include ground-truthing to evaluate sites in the field. In addition, this data is based on land use information that, by its nature, is outdated. An effort was made to update land use data provided by the Water Management Districts, mostly completed in 1990, by comparing this data with 1994-1995 SPOT 10 meter resolution imagery. All areas that appeared to be converted to development (residential, commercial, industrial but not including conversion to intensive agriculture) were added to avoid identifying areas as ecologically significant that are now developed. However, it should be obvious that development continues at a rapid pace, and areas identified in the model results could now be converted to intensive land uses or could be converted in the near future.
Pursuant to Chapter 260.0141 Florida Statutes: The Opportunities as illustrated by this data layer are intended to establish an informational framework for voluntary participation by citizens, private property owners and all levels of government subject to the following limitations:
FGDL QUALITY ASSURANCE STATUS:
-Added DESCRIPT item based on VALUE item description
REFERENCES:
Cox, J., Kautz, R., MacLaughlin, M., and Gilbert, T. (1994). Closing the gaps in Florida's wildlife habitat conservation system. Tallahassee, FL: Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Office of Environmental Services.
Florida Greenways Commission. (1994). Creating a Statewide Greenways System For People...For Wildlife...For Florida
- Florida Greenways Commission Report to the Governor. Tallahassee, FL: 1000 Friends of Florida.
Florida Natural Areas Inventory. (1995). Florida Natural Areas Inventory Datasets. Tallahassee, FL: Florida Natural Areas Inventory.
Harris, L.D. (1985). Conservation Corridors: a highway system for wildlife. ENFO:85-5. Winter Park: FL: Florida Conservation Foundation.
Harris, L. D., T. Hoctor, D. Maehr and J. Sanderson. (1996). The role of networks and corridors in enhancing the value and protection of parks and equivalent areas. Pp. 173-198 in Wright, R. G., ed. National Parks and Protected Areas: Their Role in Environmental Areas. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Science.
Noss, R. F. 1987. Protecting natural areas in fragmented landscapes. Natural Areas Journal 7:2-13.
Noss, R. F. and L. D. Harris. (1986). Nodes, Networks and MUMs: Preserving Diversity at All Scales. Environment Management 10:299-309.
Pritchard, P.C.H., and Kale, H.W. (1994). Saving what's left. Casselberry, FL: Florida Audubon Society.
Smith, D.S., and P.C. Hellmund, (Eds.). (1993). Ecology of Greenways - Design and Function of Linear Conservation Areas. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minneapolis Press.
The Nature Conservancy. (1991). Preservation 2000 Charette and Map. Tallahassee, FL: The Nature Conservancy.
University of Florida. (1996). Final Report for Phase I of the Statewide Greenways System Planning Project. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida, Department of Landscape Architecture and GeoPlan Center, Department of Urban and Regional Planning.
DATA LINEAGE SUMMARY:
This dataset is a modified version of the Ecological Network Results of the Florida Greenways GIS Decision Support Model (represented by the data layer GWECO) based on recommendations from public comment. See the University of Florida Final Report* for the modeling process. Edits made to GWECO consisted of hand-digitized deletions and additions, as well as results from further runs of the linkage process based on recommendations(described in the Final Report*).
*Carr, Margaret H., Paul D. Zwick, Thomas S. Hoctor and Mark A. Benedict
Final Report, Phase II, Florida Statewide Greenways Planning Project,
Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Florida, February,
1999.
MAP PROJECTION PARAMETERS:
Projection ALBERS Units METERS Datum HPGN Spheroid GRS1980 1st standard parallel 24 0 0.000 2nd standard parallel 31 30 0.000 central meridian -84 0 0.000 latitude of projection's origin 24 0 0.000 false easting (meters) 400000.00000 false northing (meters) 0.00000
DATA SOURCE CONTACT(S):
Name: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GEOPLAN CENTER
Abbr.name: GeoPlan
Address: PO Box 115706
Gainesville, FL 32611-5706
Web site: www.geoplan.ufl.edu
Contact Person: Greenways Project Contact
Email: greenways@geoplan.ufl.edu
FGDL CONTACT:
Name: FLORIDA GEOGRAPHIC DATA LIBRARY
Abbr. Name: FGDL
Address: Florida Geographic Data Library
431 Architecture Building
PO Box 115706
Gainesville, FL 32611-5706
Web site: http://www.fgdl.org
Contact FGDL:
Technical Support: http://www.fgdl.org/fgdlfeed.html
FGDL Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.fgdl.org/fgdlfaq.html
FGDL Mailing Lists: http://www.fgdl.org/fgdl-l.html
For FGDL Software: http://www.fgdl.org/software.html