MoRAP - University of Missouri
4200 New Haven Road
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 876-1834
morapwebmaster@missouri.edu
Cumberland Plateau Forest Assessment
Cumberland Plateau Forest Assessment
Our goal was first to develop methodologies for identifying high conservation value forests on an ecoregion by ecoregion basis, using the Cumberland Plateau as an example. Second, we explored methods for delivering the results to managers for practical use. Deliverable products specified in the contract include: (1) a landform (enduring feature) data layer, (2) a core forest (forest conservation opportunity areas) by landform data layer, and (3) a prioritization of forest conservation opportunity areas (e.g. high conservation value forest patches). All products were delivered via CD in ArcView-compliant format, and selected products are posted via Arc Internet Map Server.
MoRAP identified high conservation value (HCV) and high restoration value forests in the Cumberland Plateau based on methods developed for the Opportunity Area Inventory and Landform Modeling projects.
We provided data for a regional meeting of forest planners coordinated by the World Wildlife Fund. The results provided a general set of guidelines for standardized data gathering, analyses, and delivery for managers and decision-makers of modest technological sophistication.