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CONSERVING THE BIODIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS IN A CHANGING WORLD

This report and associated map provide information about important sites for biodiversity conservation in your area.

This information is intended for conservation planning, and is not intended for use in state regulations.

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Table of Contents

Introduction

What is BioMap2 Ȯ Purpose and applications

One plan, two components

Understanding Core Habitat and its components

Understanding Critical Natural Landscape and its components

Understanding Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape Summaries

Sources of Additional Information

Nantucket Overview

Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape Summaries

Elements of BioMap2 Cores

Core Habitat Summaries

Elements of BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscapes

Critical Natural Landscape Summaries

Natural Heritage Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581 & Endangered phone: 508-389-6360 fax: 508-389-7890 Species Program For more information on rare species and natural communities, please see our fact sheets online at www.mass.gov/nhesp.

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Introduction The Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game, ɳɧɱɮɴɦɧ ɳɧɤ Dɨɵɨɲɨɮɭ ɮɥ Fɨɲɧɤɱɨɤɲ ɠɭɣ Wɨɫɣɫɨɥɤ˘ɲ Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP), and The Nature Cɮɭɲɤɱɵɠɭɢɸ˘ɲ Mɠɲɲɠɢɧɴɲɤɳɳɲ Pɱɮɦɱɠɬ developed BioMap2 ɳɮ ɯɱɮɳɤɢɳ ɳɧɤ ɲɳɠɳɤ˘ɲ biodiversity in the context of climate change. BioMap2 ɢɮɬɡɨɭɤɲ NHESP˘ɲ ȯȬ ɸɤɠɱɲ ɮɥ rigorously documented rare species and natural community data with spatial data identifying wildlife species and habitats that were the focus ɮɥ ɳɧɤ Dɨɵɨɲɨɮɭ ɮɥ Fɨɲɧɤɱɨɤɲ ɠɭɣ Wɨɫɣɫɨɥɤ˘ɲ ȮȬȬȱ State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). BioMap2 also ɨɭɳɤɦɱɠɳɤɲ Tɧɤ Nɠɳɴɱɤ Cɮɭɲɤɱɵɠɭɢɸ˘ɲ ɠɲɲɤɲɲɬɤɭɳ of large, well-connected, and intact ecosystems and landscapes across the Commonwealth, Get your copy of the BioMap2 report! Download incorporating concepts of ecosystem resilience from www.mass.gov/nhesp or contact Natural to address anticipated climate change impacts. Heritage at 508-389-6360 or Protection and stewardship of BioMap2 Core [email protected]. Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape is  Threatened species are likely to become essential to safeguard the diversity of species Endangered in Massachusetts in the and their habitats, intact ecosystems, and foreseeable future throughout all or a resilient natural landscapes across significant portion of their range. Massachusetts.  Special Concern species have suffered a decline that could threaten the species if allowed to continue unchecked or occur in What Does Status Mean? such small numbers or with such restricted The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife distribution or specialized habitat determines a status category for each rare requirements that they could easily become species listed under the Massachusetts Threatened in Massachusetts. Endangered Species Act (MESA), M.G.L. c.131A, In addition NHESP maintains an unofficial and its implementing regulations 321 CMR watch list of plants that are tracked due to 10.00. Rare species are categorized as potential conservation interest or concern, but Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern are not regulated under the Massachusetts according to the following: Endangered Species Act or other laws or  Endangered species are in danger of regulations. Likewise, described natural extinction throughout all or a significant communities are not regulated by any law or portion of their range or are in danger of regulations, but they can help to identify extirpation from Massachusetts. ecologically important areas that are worthy of

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

protection. The status of natural communities Core Habitat identifies key areas that are critical reflects the documented number and acreages of for the long-term persistence of rare species and each community type in the state: other Species of Conservation Concern, as well as a wide diversity of natural communities and  Critically Imperiled communities typically intact ecosystems across the Commonwealth. have 5 or fewer documented good sites or Protection of Core Habitats will contribute to the have very few remaining acres in the state. conservation of specific elements of biodiversity.  Imperiled communities typically have 6-20 good sites or few remaining acres in the state. Critical Natural Landscape identifies large  Vulnerable communities typically have 21- natural Landscape Blocks that are minimally 100 good sites or limited acreage across the impacted by development. If protected, these state. areas will provide habitat for wide-ranging  Secure communities typically have over 100 native species, support intact ecological sites or abundant acreage across the state; processes, maintain connectivity among however, excellent examples are identified as habitats, and enhance ecological resilience to Core Habit to ensure continued protection. natural and anthropogenic disturbances in a rapidly changing world. Areas delineated as In 2005 the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries Critical Natural Landscape also include and Wildlife completed a comprehensive State buffering upland around wetland, coastal, and Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) documenting the aquatic Core Habitats to help ensure their long- status of Massachusetts wildlife and providing term integrity. recommendations to help guide wildlife conservation decision-making. SWAP includes The long-term persistence of Massachusetts all the wildlife species listed under the biological resources requires a determined Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA), commitment to land and water conservation. as well as more than 80 species that need Protection and stewardship of both Critical conservation attention but do not meet the Natural Landscapes and Core Habitats are requirements for inclusion under MESA. The needed to realize the biodiversity conservation SWAP document is organized around habitat vision of BioMap2. types in need of conservation within the Commonwealth. While the original BioMap focused primarily on rare species protected Components of Core Habitat under MESA, BioMap2 also addresses other Core Habitat identifies specific areas necessary Species of Conservation Concern, their habitats, to promote the long-term persistence of rare and the ecosystems that support them to create a species, other Species of Conservation Concern, spatial representation of most of the elements of exemplary natural communities, and intact SWAP. ecosystems.

BioMap2: One Plan, Two Components Rare Species BioMap2 identifies two complementary spatial There are 432 native plant and animal species layers, Core Habitat and Critical Natural listed as Endangered, Threatened or Special Landscape. Concern under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) based on their rarity, population trends, and threats to survival. For

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Table 1. Species of Conservation Concern priority to natural communities with limited described in the State Wildlife Action Plan distribution and to the best examples of more and/or included on the MESA List and for which common types. habitat was mapped in BioMap2. Note that plants are not included in SWAP, and that Vernal Pools marine species such as whales and sea turtles are not included in BioMap2. Vernal pools are small, seasonal wetlands that provide important wildlife habitat, especially for

amphibians and invertebrate animals that use Taxonomic MESA- Non-listed Species them to breed. BioMap2 identifies the top 5 Group listed of Conservation percent most interconnected clusters of Potential Species Concern Vernal Pools in the state. Mammals 4 5 Birds 27 23 Reptiles 10 5 Forest Cores Amphibians 4 3 In BioMap2, Core Habitat includes the best Fish 10 17 examples of large, intact forests that are least Invertebrates 102 9 impacted by roads and development, providing Plants 256 0 critical habitat for numerous woodland species. Total 413 62 For example, the interior forest habitat defined by Forest Cores supports many bird species

sensitive to the impacts of roads and BioMap2, NHESP staff identified the highest development, such as the Black-throated Green quality habitat sites for each non-marine species Warbler, and helps maintain ecological based on size, condition, and landscape context. processes found only in unfragmented forest patches. Other Species of Conservation Concern In addition to species on the MESA List Wetland Cores described previously, the State Wildlife Action BioMap2 used an assessment of Ecological Plan (SWAP) identifies 257 wildlife species and Integrity to identify the least disturbed wetlands 22 natural habitats most in need of conservation in the state within undeveloped landscapesȯ within the Commonwealth. BioMap2 includes those with intact buffers and little fragmentation species-specific habitat areas for 45 of these or other stressors associated with development. species and habitat for 17 additional species These wetlands are most likely to support which was mapped with other coarse-filter and critical wetland functions (i.e., natural fine-filter approaches. hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain Priority Natural Communities these functions into the future. Natural communities are assemblages of plant and animal species that share a common Aquatic Cores environment and occur together repeatedly on To delineate integrated and functional the landscape. BioMap2 gives conservation ecosystems for fish species and other aquatic

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Legal Protection of Biodiversity Species of Conservation Concern, beyond the species and exemplary habitats described above, BioMap2 presents a powerful vision of what BioMap2 identifies intact river corridors within Massachusetts would look like with full which important physical and ecological protection of the land most important for processes of the river or stream occur. ɲɴɯɯɮɱɳɨɭɦ ɳɧɤ Cɮɬɬɮɭɶɤɠɫɳɧ˘ɲ ɡɨɮɣɨɵɤɱɲɨɳɸ˅ While BioMap2 is a planning tool with no regulatory function, all state-listed species enjoy Components of Critical Natural Landscape legal protection under the Massachusetts Critical Natural Landscape identifies intact Endangered Species Act (M.G.L. c.131A) and its landscapes in Massachusetts that are better able implementing regulations (321 CMR 10.00). to support ecological processes and disturbance Wetland habitat of state-listed wildlife is also regimes, and a wide array of species and protected under the Wetlands Protection Act habitats over long time frames. Regulations (310 CMR 10.00). The Natural Heritage Atlas contains maps of Priority Habitats and Estimated Habitats, which are used, respectively, Landscape Blocks for regulation under the Massachusetts BioMap2 identifies the most intact large areas of Endangered Species Act and the Wetlands predominately natural vegetation, consisting of Protection Act. For more information on rare contiguous forests, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and species regulations, and to view Priority and ponds, as well as coastal habitats such as barrier Estimated Habitat maps, please see the beaches and salt marshes. Regulatory Review page at http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natur al-heritage/regulatory-review/. Upland Buffers of Wetland and Aquatic Cores BioMap2 is a conservation planning tool that does not, in any way, supplant the Estimated A variety of analyses were used to identify and Priority Habitat Maps which have protective upland buffers around wetlands and regulatory significance. Unless and until the rivers. BioMap2 vision is fully realized, we must continue to protect our most imperiled species Upland Habitat to Support Coastal and their habitats. Adaptation BioMap2 identifies undeveloped lands adjacent create Core Habitat and Critical Natural to and up to one and a half meters above Landscape are complementary, and outline a existing salt marshes as Critical Natural comprehensive conservation vision for Landscapes with high potential to support Massachusetts, from rare species to intact inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal landscapes. In total, these robust analyses define habitats over the coming century. a suite of priority lands and waters that, if permanently protected, will support The conservation areas identified by BioMap2 Mɠɲɲɠɢɧɴɲɤɳɳɲ˘ ɭɠɳɴɱɠɫ ɲɸɲɳɤɬɲ ɥɮɱ ɦɤɭɤɱɠɳɨɮɭɲ are based on breadth and depth of data, to come. scientific expertise, and understanding of Mɠɲɲɠɢɧɴɲɤɳɳɲ˘ ɡɨɮɣɨɵɤɱɲɨɳɸ˅ Tɧɤ ɭɴɬɤɱɮɴɲ sources of information and analyses used to

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Understanding Core Habitat Summaries Following the Town Overview, there is a descriptive summary of each Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape that occurs in your city or town. These summaries highlight some of the outstanding characteristics of each Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape, and will help you learn more about your city or ɳɮɶɭ˘ɲ ɡɨɮɣɨɵɤɱɲɨɳɸ˅ You can find out more information about many of these species and natural communities by looking at specific fact sheets at www.mass.gov/nhesp.

Additional Information For copies of the full BioMap2 report, the Technical Report, and an interactive mapping tool, visit the BioMap2 website via the Land Protection and Planning tab at www.mass.gov/nhesp. If you have any questions about this report, or if you need help protecting land for biodiversity in your community, the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program staff looks forward to working with you.

Contact the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program By phone 508-389-6360 By fax 508-389-7890 By email [email protected] By Mail 100 Hartwell Street, Suite 230 West Boylston, MA 01583 The GIS datalayers of BioMap2 are available for download from MassGIS at www.mass.gov/mgis.

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Town Overview Nantucket at a Glance  Total Area: 31,303 acres (48.9 square miles) Nantucket lies within the Cape Cod and Islands  Human Population in 2010: 10,172 Ecoregion, an area formed by three advances and  Open space protected in perpetuity: 13,723 retreats of the Wisconsin Ice Sheet. The resulting acres, or 43.8% percent of total area* terminal moraines, outwash plains, and coastal  BioMap2 Core Habitat: 23,611 acres deposits characterize the area with their sandy  BioMap2 Core Habitat Protected: 13,229 acres beaches, grassy dunes, bays, marshes, and scrubby or 56.0% oak-pine forests. There are numerous kettle hole  BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape: 14,063 ponds, swamps, and bogs. Much of the surface acres water is highly acidic.  BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape Protected: 9,419 acres or 67.0%.

BioMap2 Components

Core Habitat  1 Exemplary or Priority Natural Community  21 Wetland Cores  21Aquatic Cores  23 Species of Conservation Concern Cores** o 13 birds, 2 reptiles, 1 amphibian, 21 insects, 1 crustacean, 37 plants

Critical Natural Landscape  2 Landscape Blocks  14 Wetland Core Buffers  17 Aquatic Core Buffers  36 Coastal Adaptation Areas  15Tern Foraging Areas

* Calculated uɲɨɭɦ MɠɲɲGIS ɣɠɳɠ ɫɠɸɤɱ ȃPɱɮɳɤɢɳɤɣ and Recreational Open SpaceȯMarch, ȮȬȭȮȄ. ** See next pages for complete list of species, natural communities and other biodiversity elements.

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

BioMap2 Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape in Nantucket

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Species of Conservation Concern, Priority and Exemplary Natural Communities, and Other Elements of Biodiversity in Nantucket

Crustaceans American Clam Shrimp, (Limnadia lenticularis), SC Insects Moths Coastal Heathland Cutworm, (Abagrotis nefascia), SC Barrens Daggermoth, (Acronicta albarufa), T Gerhard's Underwing, (Catocala herodias gerhardi), SC Waxed Sallow Moth, (Chaetaglaea cerata), SC Melsheimer's Sack Bearer, (Cicinnus melsheimeri), T Chain Dot Geometer, (Cingilia catenaria), SC Barrens Buckmoth, (Hemileuca maia), SC Coastal Swamp Metarranthis, (Metarranthis pilosaria), SC Water-willow Stem Borer, (Papaipema sulphurata), T Spartina Borer, (Photedes inops), SC Pink Sallow Moth, (Psectraglaea carnosa), SC Pine Barrens Zale, (Zale lunifera), SC Chain Fern Borer, (Papaipema stenocelis), T Drunk Apamea Moth, (Apamea inebriata), SC Dune Noctuid Moth, (Sympistis riparia), SC Northern Brocade Moth, (Neoligia semicana), SC Sandplain Euchlaena, (Euchlaena madusaria), SC Sandplain Heterocampa, (Heterocampa varia), T Southern Ptichodis, (Ptichodis bistrigata), T Beetles Purple Tiger Beetle, (Cicindela purpurea), SC Bank Tiger Beetle, (Cicindela limbalis), SC Amphibians Eastern Spadefoot, (Scaphiopus holbrookii), T Reptiles Eastern Ribbon Snake, (Thamnophis sauritus), Non-listed SWAP Smooth Green Snake, (Opheodrys vernalis), Non-listed SWAP Birds Grasshopper Sparrow, (Ammodramus savannarum), T Short-eared Owl, (Asio flammeus), E Long-eared Owl, (Asio otus), SC Piping Plover, (Charadrius melodus), T Northern Harrier, (Circus cyaneus), T

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Common Tern, (Sterna hirundo), SC Pied-billed Grebe, (Podilymbus podiceps), E Roseate Tern, (Sterna dougallii), E Arctic Tern, (Sterna paradisaea), SC Least Tern, (Sternula antillarum), SC Barn Owl, (Tyto alba), SC Black-crowned Night-heron, (Nycticorax nycticorax), Non-listed SWAP Snowy Egret, (Egretta thula), Non-listed SWAP Plants Lesser Snakeroot, (Ageratina aromatica), E Hairy Agrimony, (Agrimonia pubescens), T Purple Needlegrass, (Aristida purpurascens), T Purple Milkweed, (Asclepias purpurascens), E Eastern Silvery Aster, (Symphyotrichum concolor), E Pygmyweed, (Crassula aquatica), T Bushy Rockrose, (Crocanthemum dumosum), SC Mattamuskeet Panic-grass, (Dichanthelium dichotomum ssp. mattamuskeetense), E Saltpond Pennywort, (Hydrocotyle verticillata), T Creeping St. John's-wort, (Hypericum adpressum), T St. Andrew's Cross, (Hypericum stragulum), E Saltpond Grass, (Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis), T New England Blazing Star, (Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae), SC Sandplain Flax, (Linum intercursum), SC Foxtail Clubmoss, (Lycopodiella alopecuroides), E Gypsywort, (Lycopus rubellus), E Oysterleaf, (Mertensia maritima), E Prickly Pear, (Opuntia humifusa), E Torrey's Beak-sedge, (Rhynchospora torreyana), E Canadian Sanicle, (Sanicula canadensis), T Papillose Nut-sedge, (Scleria pauciflora), E Sandplain Blue-eyed Grass, (Sisyrinchium fuscatum), SC Subulate Bladderwort, (Utricularia subulata), SC American Sea-blite, (Suaeda calceoliformis), SC Annual Peanutgrass, (Amphicarpum amphicarpon), E Beaded Pinweed, (Lechea pulchella var. moniliformis), E Bicknell's Hawthorn, (Crataegus bicknellii), E Broom Crowberry, (Corema conradii), recently de-listed Lion's Foot, (Nabalus serpentarius), E Mitchell's Sedge, (Carex mitchelliana), T Nantucket Shadbush, (Amelanchier nantucketensis), recently de-listed Northern Gama-grass, (Tripsacum dactyloides), E Purple Cudweed, (Gamochaeta purpurea), E Sea-beach Knotweed, (Polygonum glaucum), SC

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Slender Marsh Pink, (Sabatia campanulata), E Tall Nut-sedge, (Scleria triglomerata), E Three-angled Spike-sedge, (Eleocharis tricostata), E Priority Natural Communities Maritime Dune Community, S2 Kettlehole Level Bog, S2 Estuarine Subtidal: Coastal Salt Pond, S2 Maritime Juniper Woodland/Shrubland, S1 Sandplain Grassland, S1 Sandplain Heathland, S1

Other BioMap2 Components Aquatic Core Wetland Core Landscape Block Aquatic Core Buffer Wetland Core Buffer Coastal Adaptation Area Tern Foraging Area

E = Endangered T = Threatened SC = Special Concern S1 = Critically Imperiled communities, typically 5 or fewer documented sites or very few remaining acres in the state. S2 = Imperiled communities, typically 6-20 sites or few remaining acres in the state. S3 = Vulnerable communities, typically have 21-100 sites or limited acreage across the state.

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

BioMap2 Core Habitat in Nantucket Core IDs correspond with the following element lists and summaries.

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Elements of BioMap2 Cores This section lists all elements of BioMap2 Cores that fall entirely or partially within Nantucket. The elements listed here may not occur within the bounds of Nantucket.

Core 9 Species of Conservation Concern Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus T

Core 10 Species of Conservation Concern Water-willow Stem Borer Papaipema sulphurata T

Core 11 Species of Conservation Concern Bushy Rockrose Crocanthemum dumosum SC

Core 12 Wetland Core

Core 13 Species of Conservation Concern Bushy Rockrose Crocanthemum dumosum SC

Core 14 Species of Conservation Concern Northern Brocade Moth Neoligia semicana SC

Core 15 Species of Conservation Concern Northern Brocade Moth Neoligia semicana SC

Core 16 Species of Conservation Concern Chain Fern Borer Moth Papaipema stenocelis T Water-willow Stem Borer Papaipema sulphurata T

Core 17 Species of Conservation Concern Chain Fern Borer Moth Papaipema stenocelis T Water-willow Stem Borer Papaipema sulphurata T

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Core 18 Species of Conservation Concern Chain Fern Borer Moth Papaipema stenocelis T

Core 19 Species of Conservation Concern Water-willow Stem Borer Papaipema sulphurata T

Core 20 Species of Conservation Concern Water-willow Stem Borer Papaipema sulphurata T

Core 21 Aquatic Core Species of Conservation Concern Saltpond Pennywort Hydrocotyle verticillata T

Core 22 Species of Conservation Concern Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus T

Core 23 Species of Conservation Concern Piping Plover Charadrius melodus T

Core 32 Species of Conservation Concern Sea-beach Knotweed Polygonum glaucum SC Common Tern Sterna hirundo SC Least Tern Sternula antillarum SC Piping Plover Charadrius melodus T Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii E Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus E

Core 68 Wetland Core Aquatic Core Priority & Exemplary Natural Communities Estuarine Subtidal: Coastal Salt Pond S2 Kettlehole Level Bog S2 Maritime Dune Community S2 Maritime Juniper Woodland/Shrubland S1

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Sandplain Grassland S1 Sandplain Heathland S1 Species of Conservation Concern American Sea-blite Suaeda calceoliformis SC Annual Peanut-grass Amphicarpum amphicarpon E Bead Pinweed Lechea pulchella var. moniliformis E Bicknell's Hawthorn Crataegus bicknellii E Bushy Rockrose Crocanthemum dumosum SC Canadian Sanicle Sanicula canadensis T Creeping St. John's-wort Hypericum adpressum T Eastern Silvery Aster Symphyotrichum concolor E Foxtail Clubmoss Lycopodiella alopecuroides E Gypsywort Lycopus rubellus E Hairy Agrimony Agrimonia pubescens T Lesser Snakeroot Ageratina aromatica E Lion's Foot Nabalus serpentarius E Mattamuskeet Panic-grass Dichanthelium dichotomum ssp. mattamuskeetense E Mitchell's Sedge Carex mitchelliana T New England Blazing Star Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae SC Northern Gama-grass Tripsacum dactyloides E Oysterleaf Mertensia maritima E Papillose Nut Sedge Scleria pauciflora E Prickly Pear Opuntia humifusa E Purple Cudweed Gamochaeta purpurea E Purple Milkweed Asclepias purpurascens E Purple Needlegrass Aristida purpurascens T Pygmyweed Crassula aquatica T Saltpond Grass Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis T Saltpond Pennywort Hydrocotyle verticillata T Sandplain Blue-eyed Grass Sisyrinchium fuscatum SC Sandplain Flax Linum intercursum SC Sea-beach Knotweed Polygonum glaucum SC Slender Marsh Pink Sabatia campanulata E St. Andrew's Cross Hypericum stragulum E Subulate Bladderwort Utricularia subulata SC Tall Nut-sedge Scleria triglomerata E Three-angled Spike-sedge Eleocharis tricostata E Torrey's Beak-sedge Rhynchospora torreyana E American Clam Shrimp Limnadia lenticularis SC Barrens Buckmoth Hemileuca maia SC Barrens Daggermoth Acronicta albarufa T Chain Dot Geometer Cingilia catenaria SC Chain Fern Borer Moth Papaipema stenocelis T Coastal Heathland Cutworm Abagrotis nefascia SC

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Coastal Swamp Metarranthis Moth Metarranthis pilosaria SC Drunk Apamea Moth Apamea inebriata SC Dune Noctuid Moth Sympistis riparia SC Gerhard's Underwing Moth Catocala herodias gerhardi SC Melsheimer's Sack Bearer Cicinnus melsheimeri T Northern Brocade Moth Neoligia semicana SC Pine Barrens Zale Zale lunifera SC Pink Sallow Psectraglaea carnosa SC Sandplain Euchlaena Euchlaena madusaria SC Sandplain Heterocampa Heterocampa varia T Southern Ptichodis Ptichodis bistrigata T Spartina Borer Moth Photedes inops SC Water-willow Stem Borer Papaipema sulphurata T Waxed Sallow Moth Chaetaglaea cerata SC Bank Tiger Beetle Cicindela limbalis SC Purple Tiger Beetle Cicindela purpurea SC Eastern Spadefoot Scaphiopus holbrookii T Eastern Ribbon Snake Thamnophis sauritus Non-listed SWAP Smooth Green Snake Opheodrys vernalis Non-listed SWAP Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea SC Barn Owl Tyto alba SC Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax Non-listed SWAP Common Tern Sterna hirundo SC Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum T Least Tern Sternula antillarum SC Long-eared Owl Asio otus SC Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus T Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps E Piping Plover Charadrius melodus T Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii E Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus E Snowy Egret Egretta thula Non-listed SWAP

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Core Habitat Summaries Core 9

A 43-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.

Northern Harriers are hawks that establish nesting and feeding territories in large shrublands with nearby wet meadows, grasslands and abandoned fields. They are very sensitive to human disturbance and their nests are vulnerable to ground predators, including dogs.

Core 10

A 1-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.

The Water-willow Stem Borer is a yellowish moth with purple-brown shading that inhabits shallow portions of coastal plain wetlands where water-willow grows. It is endemic to southeastern Massachusetts.

Core 11

A 2-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.

Bushy Rockrose is a globally rare, bright yellow, perennial wildflower of coastal herbaceous grasslands and heathlands.

Core 12

A 1-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core.

Wetland Cores are the least disturbed wetlands in the state within undeveloped landscapesȯthose with intact buffers and little fragmentation or other stressors associated with development. These wetlands are most likely to support critical wetland functions (i.e., natural hydrologic conditions, diverse plant and animal habitats, etc.) and are most likely to maintain these functions into the future.

Core 13

A <1-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.

Bushy Rockrose is a globally rare, bright yellow, perennial wildflower of coastal herbaceous grasslands and heathlands.

Core 14

A 22-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.

The Northern Brocade Moth is a noctuid moth that inhabits brackish marshes and other coastal wetlands.

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Core 15

A 10-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.

The Northern Brocade Moth is a noctuid moth that inhabits brackish marshes and other coastal wetlands.

Core 16

A <1-acre Core Habitat featuring Species of Conservation Concern.

Chain Fern Borer moths inhabit coastal plain acidic wetlands (bogs, shrub swamps, etc.) with Virginia chain fern (Woodwardia virginica). The larvae bore into and feed on the roots and stems of Virginia chain fern.

Core 17

A 3-acre Core Habitat featuring Species of Conservation Concern.

Core 18

A <1-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.

Core 19

A 4-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.

Core 20

A 4-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Core 21

A 6-acre Core Habitat featuring Aquatic Core and a Species of Conservation Concern.

Aquatic Cores are intact river corridors within which important physical and ecological processes of the river or stream occur. They delineate integrated and functional ecosystems for fish species and other aquatic Species of Conservation Concern.

Saltpond Pennywort grows along the sandy to peaty margins of brackish ponds very near the ocean. Usually, these ponds are separated from the ocean by just a narrow sand barrier.

Core 22

A 24-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.

Core 23

A 77-acre Core Habitat featuring a Species of Conservation Concern.

Piping Plovers on the East Coast nest on sandy coastal beaches and relatively flat dunes with sparse vegetation. They typically lay their eggs in the narrow area of land between the high tide line and the foot of the coastal dunes. They can be particularly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance, but the state's population has responded very well to coordinated management.

Core 32

A 388-acre Core Habitat featuring Species of Conservation Concern.

Sea-beach Knotweed, an herbaceous annual in the Buckwheat family, is a glaucous, sprawling, prostrate plant with a long tap-root. It can be found in two distinct types of open habitats: in flat sandy beach areas above the wrack line, and in beach wash-over areas at salt ponds. It readily colonizes undisturbed, unvegetated flat beach areas.

The Common Tern is a small seabird that nests in colonies on sandy or gravelly islands and barrier beaches, but also occurs on rocky or cobbly beaches and salt marshes. It feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and flying insects in the open ocean, bays, tidal inlets, and between islands.

Dɨɬɨɭɴɳɨɵɤ ɸɤɳ ɥɤɨɲɳɸˆ ɳɧɤ Lɤɠɲɳ Tɤɱɭ ɨɲ ɠ ɲɯɱɨɭɦ ɠɭɣ ɲɴɬɬɤɱ ɢɮɫɮɭɨɠɫ ɭɤɲɳɤɱ ɮɭ Mɠɲɲɠɢɧɴɲɤɳɳɲ˘ ɲɠɭɣɸ beaches. For nesting, it favors for sites with little or no vegetation. In Massachusetts, the Least Tern nests

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

on sandy or gravelly beaches periodically scoured by storm tides, resulting in sparse or no vegetation; it also takes advantage of dredge spoils. Along the coast, the Least Tern forages in shallow-water habitats, including bays, lagoons, estuaries, river and creek mouths, tidal marshes, and ponds.

The elegant Roseate Tern, with its long, white tail-streamers and rapid flight, alights on Massachusetts beaches in the spring. It tunnels under vegetation to nest within colonies of its more rough-and-tumble relative, the Common Tern, from which it derives protection from intruders. The Roseate Tern is a plunge-diver that feeds mainly on the sand lance, and availability of this fish may influence the timing of breeding.

Short-eared Owls in Massachusetts reside in large, undeveloped expanses of coastal sandplain grassland and maritime heathland, habitats which are now almost as endangered as the owl itself. Short-eared Owl nests on the ground, usually near or within herbaceous vegetation or low shrubs. The territory of a single breeding pair may encompass over 100 acres.

Core 68

A 25,754-acre Core Habitat featuring Wetland Core, Aquatic Core, Priority Natural Communities, and Species of Conservation Concern.

The Middle Moors of Nantucket are a complex sandplain/scrub oak heathland, dotted with Coastal Plain Ponds. This large and mostly unfragmented habitat provides ideal breeding habitat for the Threatened Northern Harrier and, as a result, the Island supports one of the highest nesting densities in the world of this graceful raptor. Short-eared Owls nest in much the same habitat; while their breeding densities on Nantucket are lower than those of Northern Harrier, nonetheless Nantucket remains one of this owl's last nesting sites in the state. The barrier beach at Coskata-Coatue supports sizeable colonies of Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and nesting Black-crowned Night-herons, as well a few nesting Piping Plovers, American Oystercatchers, and Least Terns. Eastern Nantucket has forest, sandplain, and coastal habitats; these are home to eight rare plants, including the globally rare Bicknell's Hawthorn, which is found nowhere else on earth. Overall, this large Core on Nantucket supports 73 rare and uncommon plants and animals, of which 20 are globally rare.

Coastal Salt Pond communities consist of vegetation surrounding, and in, coastal brackish ponds. These ponds are usually separated from the ocean by a sandspit. Their salinity varies and is influenced by opening and closing of the spit. This example of Coastal Salt Pond is large, but its condition is degraded by recreational use and other human activity. Kettlehole Level Bogs are acidic dwarf-shrub peatlands with little water input or outflow that form in circular depressions left by melting ice blocks in sandy glacial outwash. The vegetation in Kettlehole

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Level Bogs usually grows in rings. This Core has two examples of Kettlehole Level Bog including a high- quality example that is worthy of statewide recognition, not only due to its excellent condition and lack of disturbances, but also because it is one of only two moated, floating bogs on Nantucket. The Maritime Dune Community consists of patches of herbaceous plants interspersed with areas of bare sand and shrubs. It occurs on windswept dunes within the salt spray zone, and often grades into shrubland or woodlands on more sheltered back dunes. This relatively small example of Maritime Dune system is in good condition, with good species diversity, natural processes, and little human disturbance. The Maritime Juniper Woodland/Shrubland is a predominantly evergreen community within the coastal salt spray zone. The trees tend to be short (less than 15 feet) and scattered, with the tops sculpted by winds and salt spray. This example of Maritime Juniper Woodland/Shrubland, though somewhat small, is in good condition. As one of two reported occurrences in the state, it represents an important and unusual community type in Massachusetts. Sandplain Grasslands are open, essentially treeless, grass-dominated communities that generally occur on sand or other dry, poor soils. Occurrences are maintained by fire, salt spray, and, now, mowing. Three examples of Sandplain Grassland including one that is over 100 high-quality acres, covering much of the southern portion of Tuckernuck Island. It has few invasive species and is well buffered by a variety of Maritime communities. Sandplain Heathlands are open, shrub dominated, coastal communities. They share many species with Sandplain Grasslands, but also have many plants from the Heath family. They often have sparse clumps of plants with bare soil or lichen between them. This Core has two examples of Sandplain Heathland including one that is over 100 acres, which are free of exotic species and well buffered within a larger complex of Maritime communities that are providing excellent habitat for many monitored bird populations.

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape in Nantucket Critical Natural Landscape IDs correspond with the following element lists and summaries.

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Elements of BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscapes This section lists all elements of BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscapes that fall entirely or partially within Nantucket. The elements listed here may not occur within the bounds of Nantucket. CNL 10 Coastal Adaptation Area CNL 11 Coastal Adaptation Area CNL 15 Wetland Core Buffer CNL 16 Tern Foraging Area CNL 17 Coastal Adaptation Area CNL 18 Coastal Adaptation Area CNL 19 Coastal Adaptation Area CNL 20 Aquatic Core Buffer Coastal Adaptation Area Landscape Block Tern Foraging Area CNL 21 Coastal Adaptation Area CNL 22 Coastal Adaptation Area CNL 23 Coastal Adaptation Area Tern Foraging Area CNL 24 Coastal Adaptation Area CNL 25 Tern Foraging Area Coastal Adaptation Area

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

CNL 26 Aquatic Core Buffer CNL 27 Coastal Adaptation Area CNL 28 Coastal Adaptation Area Tern Foraging Area CNL 29 Aquatic Core Buffer Tern Foraging Area CNL 31 Coastal Adaptation Area CNL 32 Coastal Adaptation Area Tern Foraging Area CNL 37 Aquatic Core Buffer Coastal Adaptation Area Landscape Block Tern Foraging Area

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Critical Natural Landscape Summaries CNL 10 A 20-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. CNL 11 A 31-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. CNL 15 A 53-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Wetland Core Buffer. A variety of analyses were used to identify protective upland buffers around wetlands and rivers. One, the variable width buffers methodology, included the most intact areas around each wetland and river, by extending deeper into surrounding unfragmented habitats than into developed areas adjacent to each wetland. Other upland buffers were identified through the rare species habitat analysis. In this way, the conservation of wetland buffers will support the habitats and functionality of each wetland, and also include adjacent uplands that are important for many species that move between habitat types. CNL 16 A 1,005-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Tern Foraging Area. Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape. The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat.

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

CNL 17 A 12-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. CNL 18 A 15-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. CNL 19 A 37-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. CNL 20 A 3,940-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Aquatic Core Buffer, Landscape Block, Coastal Adaptation Area, and Tern Foraging Area. A variety of analyses were used to identify protective upland buffers around wetlands and rivers. One, the variable width buffers methodology, included the most intact areas around each wetland and river, by extending deeper into surrounding unfragmented habitats than into developed areas adjacent to each wetland. Other upland buffers were identified through the rare species habitat analysis. In this way, the conservation of wetland buffers will support the habitats and functionality of each wetland, and also include adjacent uplands that are important for many species that move between habitat types. Landscape Blocks, the primary component of Critical Natural Landscapes, are large areas of intact predominately natural vegetation, consisting of contiguous forests, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and ponds, as

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

well as coastal habitats such as barrier beaches and salt marshes. Pastures and power-line rights-of-way, which are less intensively altered than most developed areas, were also included since they provide habitat and connectivity for many species. Collectively, these natural cover types total 3.6 million acres across the state. An Ecological Integrity assessment was used to identify the most intact and least fragmented areas. These large Landscape Blocks are most likely to maintain dynamic ecological processes such as buffering, connectivity, natural disturbance, and hydrological regimes, all of which help to support wide-ranging wildlife species and many other elements of biodiversity. In order to identify critical Landscape Blocks in each ecoregion, different Ecological Integrity thresholds were used to select the largest intact landscape patches in each ecoregion while avoiding altered habitat as much as possible. This ecoregional representation accomplishes a key goal of BioMap2 to protect the ecological stages that support a broad suite of biodiversity in the context of climate change. Blocks were defined by major roads, and minimum size thresholds differed among ecoregions to ensure that BioMap2 includes the best of the best in each ecoregion. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape. The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat. CNL 21 A 14-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. CNL 22 A 28-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. CNL 23 A 29-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area and Tern Foraging Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape. The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat. CNL 24 A 20-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. CNL 25 A <1-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area and Tern Foraging Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape. The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat. CNL 26 An 18-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Aquatic Core Buffer. A variety of analyses were used to identify protective upland buffers around wetlands and rivers. One, the variable width buffers methodology, included the most intact areas around each wetland and river, by extending deeper into surrounding unfragmented habitats than into developed areas adjacent to each wetland. Other upland buffers were identified through the rare species habitat analysis. In this way, the conservation of wetland buffers will support the habitats and functionality of each wetland, and also include adjacent uplands that are important for many species that move between habitat types. CNL 27 A 9-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. CNL 28 A 35-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area and Tern Foraging Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape. The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat. CNL 29 A 20-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Aquatic Core Buffer and Tern Foraging Area.

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

A variety of analyses were used to identify protective upland buffers around wetlands and rivers. One, the variable width buffers methodology, included the most intact areas around each wetland and river, by extending deeper into surrounding unfragmented habitats than into developed areas adjacent to each wetland. Other upland buffers were identified through the rare species habitat analysis. In this way, the conservation of wetland buffers will support the habitats and functionality of each wetland, and also include adjacent uplands that are important for many species that move between habitat types. Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape. The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat. CNL 31 A <1-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. CNL 32 A 195-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Coastal Adaptation Area and Tern Foraging Area. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape. The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat. CNL 37 An 18,832-acre Critical Natural Landscape featuring Aquatic Core Buffer, Landscape Block, Coastal Adaptation Area, and Tern Foraging Area.

BioMap2 Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

A variety of analyses were used to identify protective upland buffers around wetlands and rivers. One, the variable width buffers methodology, included the most intact areas around each wetland and river, by extending deeper into surrounding unfragmented habitats than into developed areas adjacent to each wetland. Other upland buffers were identified through the rare species habitat analysis. In this way, the conservation of wetland buffers will support the habitats and functionality of each wetland, and also include adjacent uplands that are important for many species that move between habitat types. Landscape Blocks, the primary component of Critical Natural Landscapes, are large areas of intact predominately natural vegetation, consisting of contiguous forests, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and ponds, as well as coastal habitats such as barrier beaches and salt marshes. Pastures and power-line rights-of-way, which are less intensively altered than most developed areas, were also included since they provide habitat and connectivity for many species. Collectively, these natural cover types total 3.6 million acres across the state. An Ecological Integrity assessment was used to identify the most intact and least fragmented areas. These large Landscape Blocks are most likely to maintain dynamic ecological processes such as buffering, connectivity, natural disturbance, and hydrological regimes, all of which help to support wide-ranging wildlife species and many other elements of biodiversity. In order to identify critical Landscape Blocks in each ecoregion, different Ecological Integrity thresholds were used to select the largest intact landscape patches in each ecoregion while avoiding altered habitat as much as possible. This ecoregional representation accomplishes a key goal of BioMap2 to protect the ecological stages that support a broad suite of biodiversity in the context of climate change. Blocks were defined by major roads, and minimum size thresholds differed among ecoregions to ensure that BioMap2 includes the best of the best in each ecoregion. At 8,048 acres, this Landscape Block is the sixth largest in the ecoregion and is especially important in the developed landscapes of the Massachusetts Islands. Unlike Landscape Blocks in much of the state that are dominated by upland forests, this coastal Landscape Block is dominated by unique and critically important shrubland and other open habitats. The coastal habitats of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to potential sea-level rise in the next century, which many estimates suggest is likely to exceed one meter. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing current coastal habitats, the creators of BioMap2 examined the landward side of salt marshes to determine where these habitats might move to as sea levels rise. Undeveloped lands adjacent to and up to one and a half meters above existing salt marshes were identified, and included as Critical Natural Landscapes with high potential to support inland migration of salt marsh and other coastal habitats over the coming century. Terns range widely from their breeding colonies to forage. While the breeding and staging areas for Roseate, Arctic, Common, and Least Terns were included in the Species of Conservation Concern Core Habitat for BioMap2, tern foraging areas were included in BioMap2 as part of Critical Natural Landscape. The extent of foraging habitat for Arctic, Common, and Roseate Terns depends on the size of the breeding colony. For Least Tern, all shallow marine and estuarine waters within 2 miles of recent colony sites and up to 1 mile offshore were mapped as foraging habitat.

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