What is the title of the data set?

New Jersey’s Critical Wildlife Habitat

What does the data set describe?

Habitat critical to threatened, endangered and other rare wildlife

What geographic area does the data set cover?

Statewide coverage of New Jersey

What is the date that the data describes?

2001

How does the data set represent geographic features?

Features are represented by vector-based polygons resulting from 30-meter grid cells

How are geographic features stored in the data set?

Data is stored in ESRI shapefile format

What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

New Jersey State Plane North American Datum 1983

How does the data set describe geographic features?

Polygons delineate polygons by habitat type that that are important to the long-term viability of threatened, endangered and other rare wildlife in NJ

What are the types of features present?

Critical grassland, forest, forested wetlands, emergent wetlands and beach/dune habitat.

Who produced the data set?

New Jersey Divisision of Fish & Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program

To whom should users address questions about the data?

New Jersey Divisision of Fish & Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program

Why was the data set created?

This data set was created to provide users with a comprehensive set of land use planning and wildlife conservation tools.

What is the recommend use for the data?

Land use planning and regulation, endangered species management

What are aspects of concerned for a non-specialist to interpret the data?

An occupied (by and E & T) polygon presumes suitability and does not substitute for comprehensive survey work.

How was the data set created?

Created by overlaying rare species location data with 1995 land cover data.

Were the source data compiled at a particular scale?

Land cover base data was produced using statewide TM imagery (28-meter grid cell size)

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

While all data have inherent limitations, the base data (CRSSA land cover) used to create habitat polygons was compiled to a high level of accuracy.  A full description of the data accuracy and limitations is provided in the metadata available at: http://crssa.rutgers.edu/projects/lc

Digital wildlife data was compiled at a variety of scales and data capture techniques.

What can you say about the accuracy of the observations?

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

 The data (including metadata) can be obtained via download at www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/landscape/index.htm. 

Alternatively, a CD ROM can be obtained by writing or calling the states Maps and Publications Office.

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

All digital data, maps, reports produced as a result of this project may be reproduced of redistributed for nonprofit use by crediting the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife.  NJDFW holds no liability for use of the data.  Please see the metadata for more details.

Who distributes the data?

Data is distributed via the internet by the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife or by contacting the state Office of Maps and Publications

How can people download or order the data?

 The data (including metadata) can be obtained via download at www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/landscape/index.htm. 

Alternatively, a CD ROM can be obtained by writing or calling the states Office of Maps and Publications.

In what formats are the data available?

ESRI shapefile

What hardware or software do people need in order to use the data set?

Data can be utilized by a number of GIS applications including Arcview 3.2, ArcINFO, ArcGIS and ArcExplorer, a free GIS viewer available at www.esri.com.

What are some suggested uses of the Data for New Jersey’s various communities of user?

The data can be used to identify the location, abundance and distribution  of rare species wildlife habitat statewide

Potential applications:

(environmental management)

The data can be used to provide options to land managers, as well as scientific bases for regulatory decisions regarding rare species.

Potential applications:

(regional planning)

Critical Habitat mapping can aid in the development of environmental resource inventories, master plan creation, open space planning, riparian corridor protection, greenway planning, down zoning and land use decision making.

Potential applications:

(local planning)

Critical Habitat mapping can aid in the development of environmental resource inventories, master plan creation, open space planning, riparian corridor protection, greenway planning, down zoning and land use decision making.

Potential applications:

(habitat analysis)

Knowing the location, size, distribution and species composition will greatly enhance habitat analysis. 

Potential applications:

(open space preservation)

Critical Habitat mapping can be used to target conservation and restoration oriented open space acquisitions.