Eco-Logical Project: REAP Results for Arkansas

1. Eco-Logical Project: REAP Results for Arkansas Sharon L. Osowski, Ph.D. Ecologist EPA Region 6

2. How can EPA tools contribute to better integration of transportation and conservation planning?

3. Purpose: To identify ecologically important resources across the South Central US (EPA Region 6) in order to support greater collaborative approaches to strategic, ecosystem management.

5. Three Key Model Aspects • DIVERSITY: habitats & landscapes • What areas have the most diverse land cover? • RARITY: threatened & endangered species • What areas have the greatest # of rare species and vegetation? • SUSTAINABILITY: human impacts • Stressors – environmental quality. • Fragmentation – landscape disruptions • What areas can sustain ecosystems w/o human mgmt?

6. Sustainability layer: resistance to & resilience from human disturbance Diversity layer: landscape connectivity Rarity layer: rare species & land cover type Composite: identifies important ecological resources in each ecoregion across Texas

7. Method Changes were made to the TEAP method based on data availability: • Ecologically Significant Stream Segments removed (TX only) • Quads used for Rarity layer (Point locations were not available for each state). • 0.25km2 grid used instead of 1km2 grid • Bailey Ecoregions used

8. REAP Diversity

9. Appropriateness of Land Cover Describes the predicted natural vegetation under no human influence and compares it to current vegetation Contiguous Size of Undeveloped Land Uses the theory that the larger the contiguous area of undeveloped land, the higher the diversity

10. Shannon Land Cover Diversity Index Based on Shannon Index (richness & evenness); shows how many specific land cover types there are in contiguous, undeveloped polygons

11. Emphasis on land cover Diversity

12. Ozark Highlands Ecoregion Diversity

13. REAP Rarity

14. Vegetation Rarity Measures land cover types considered rare within each ecoregion Natural Heritage Rank Uses Global Heritage Rank (TNC). e.g, G1 (S1) = critically imperiled globally (state)

15. Taxonomic Richness Number of rare taxa: birds, mammals, reptiles, etc. Rare Species Richness Number of rare species (T & E); some rare species may be umbrella species or typify particular communities

16. Rarity Emphasis on State & Global Species plus Rare vegetation.

17. Ozark Highlands Ecoregion Rarity

18. REAP Sustainability

19. Contiguous Land Cover Type Based on the principle that similar ecosystem types (e.g., forest, desert, etc.) have greater sustainability Regularity of Ecosystem Boundary Reflects perimeter-to-area ratios of particular land cover types. Circular areas have smaller ratios and can sustain “interior” species

20. Appropriateness of Land Cover Describes the predicted natural vegetation under no human influence and compares it to current vegetation Waterway Obstruction Dams are interruptions to the continuity of waterways

21. Road Density Based on the principle that roads fragment the landscape Airport Noise Noise around airports stresses surrounding Habitats, lowering habitat quality

22. NPL Sites Sites where hazardous substances have been released and disturbed the environment RCRA Sites Sites where hazardous substances have been released and disturbed the environment Urban/Ag Activities in urban and agricultural areas generate disturbance to the surrounding area

23. Water Quality Lack of good water quality is a stressor on biota Air Quality Outfall of chemicals or particulates may impact ecological communities and become incorporated into the food chain

24. Sustainability Anthropogenic activities & impacts: Fragmentation, Stressors Shows effects of major urban centers.

25. Ozark Highlands Ecoregion Sustainability

26. REAP Composite

27. Composite

28. Ozark Highlands Ecoregion Composite

29. REAP Rarity layer GISST Rarity Criterion

33. Potential Uses Long Range Planning: community visioning, trans planning Short term planning: complex projects, mitigation NEPA analysis & assessment SAFETEA-LU environmental requirements

34. Opportunities • Collaboration • Tech Transfer Projects • GISST & NEPAssist Cumulative & Single Media Environmental Assessment Mitigation True AVOIDANCE!! Then Minimization Then Compensation Restoration Projects

35. Contact Information Sharon Osowski Morgan 214-665-7506 osowski.sharon@epa.gov REAP Data & Report (will be posted here):http://www.epa.gov/region6/6en/xp/enxp2a4.htm