| |
Forests are an important natural resource directly
associated with community air and water quality, storm water
runoff, land stability and soil erosion, wildlife and habitat
diversity, outdoor recreation and education opportunities, and
overall aesthetic quality. Forests are of varying ecological
quality and functional value, therefore requiring professional,
science-based evaluations for adequate assessment and
prioritization.
 Through a partnership with the Northern Kentucky Urban and
Community Forestry Council, the Boone County Planning
Commission, the Northern Kentucky University (NKU) History and
Geography Department, and the NKU Center for Integrative Natural
Sciences and Mathematics, the Center for Applied Ecology
conducted an aerial ecological evaluation, prioritization and
GIS mapping of forests throughout Boone County, Kentucky.
Forests were mapped using Digital Ortho Quarter Quads and
aerial photographs and then systematically evaluated for
ecological quality and integrity. Once the forest layer was
delineated, countywide field inspections of public woodland
areas were conducted to verify a percentage of the forest
classification boundaries and further assess forest
attributes. Forest quality was primarily based on tree crown
size (small, medium, large). Additional evaluation criteria
included forest tract size, native species diversity, percentage
of invasive exotic plant species, and the occurrence of uncommon
or rare species and habitats.
The
analysis resulted in a Forest Quality GIS Data Layer and
a description of each forest quality category—low, medium and
high. Forest location and quality can be used in coordination
with other GIS databases (e.g., municipal boundaries, parks and
public lands, geology, soils, streams, wetlands, and topography)
for comprehensive landscape-level planning. The forest quality
assessment was an important first-step toward the inclusion of
forest resources in the planning and decision-making process in
Boone County, Kentucky. |
|
