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BoNAP Density Gradient Maps

WoodsTea 6a MO
9 years ago

This is pretty fascinating if you're into maps:

http://bonap.org/2015_SpecialtyMaps/Density%20Gradient%202015/Density%20Gradient%202015.html

I particularly like the one that shows percentage of vascular plant species that are native:

http://bonap.org/2015_SpecialtyMaps/Density%20Gradient%202015/original/1nat02_PercentNative.png


Comments (4)

  • wisconsitom
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Very cool, if a bit perplexing. Hard to fathom, for just one example, how the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan's Upper Peninsula could be in any but the highest category. That's a completely wild and unsettled region! And no, I'm not guessing-I've been there many times. All forested, all big white pines, hemlocks, and their many hardwood associates, to simplify. My point being, there's hardly any civilization there beyond a few very small towns, and the rest is heavy, native forest. Not to nitpick, but I can see other just as unexpected results all over that thing.

    All in all though, very cool. Just wish I could make out more of the print on the other ones.

    +oM

  • WoodsTea 6a MO
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Well, one thing is that it's based on county-level counts of species rather than individuals. So a single report of one exotic species has the same weight as thousands of white pines.

    Certainly there must be some variation in how extensively any particular county has been surveyed -- or to what extent local surveyors have been reporting exotic species vs. native ones.

    Interesting to me how the native percentages are lower in little spots around university towns in the Midwest.

  • Lynda Waldrep
    9 years ago

    I liked seeing specific plant families, such as Trilliaceae.

  • wisconsitom
    9 years ago

    Unweighted then-that explains that. Thanks!

    +oM

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