Primary Map 2:
High Value Plant and Animal Habitats
About Map | Data Components | Background Information | Strategies for Local Action
This map depicts rare, threatened and endangered species and important and sensitive habitats. The data presented here represent the best available information provided through Beginning with Habitat (BwH) coalition partners. Habitat features illustrated on this map are based on limited field surveys, aerial photo interpretation, and computer modeling. Many areas have not been completely surveyed, so it is possible that features may be present that are not mapped. Habitat data sets are updated continuously. Not all habitats described below may occur in the area shown in this map. Also, please note that some of these habitats are regulated by the State of Maine through the Maine Endangered Species Act (Essential Habitats and threatened and endangered species occurrences) and Natural Resource Protection Act (Significant Wildlife Habitat). This map is intended for planning purposes only and should not be considered a comprehensive inventory of plant and animal occurrences. We recommend consultation with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) Regional Biologists or Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP) Ecologists if activities are proposed that may affect at risk species, habitats, or natural communities depicted on this map.
Data Components: (Data Sources)
Impervious/Developed Areas- Impervious surfaces including buildings and roads.
Wetlands- The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) uses aerial photos from the mid-1980's to identify wetlands based on remote sensing techniques of photo interpretation. This process did not result in a comprehensive mapping of wetland resources and typically under represents wetland occurrence on the landscape, especially forested wetlands. The presence of wetlands needs to be determined in the field prior to conducting activities that could result in wetland disturbance.
Atlantic Salmon Spawning, Limited Spawning and Rearing Habitat- Mapped by the Atlantic Salmon Commission (ASC) and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) from field surveys on selected Penobscot and Kennebec River tributaries and the Dennys, Ducktrap, East Machias, Machias, Pleasant, Narraguagus, and Sheepscot Rivers.
Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Wildlife Data- Includes known rare, endangered, and threatened species occurrences and/or the associated habitats based on species sightings. Consult with an MDIFW Regional Biologist to determine the relative importance and conservation needs of the specific location and supporting habitat.
Rare or Exemplary Natural Communities- MNAP has classified and distinguished 98 different natural community types that collectively cover the state's landscape. These include such habitats as floodplain forests, coastal bogs, alpine summits, and many others. Each type is assigned a rarity rank of 1 (rare) through 5 (common). Mapped rare natural communities or ecosystems, or exemplary examples of common natural communities or ecosystems, are based on field surveys and aerial photo interpretation. Consult with an MNAP Ecologist to determine conservation needs of particular communities or ecosystems.
Rare Plant Locations- Known rare, threatened, or endangered plant occurrences are based on field observations. Consult with a MNAP Ecologist to determine conservation needs of particular species. Rare plants are often components of documented natural communities and can be conserved in the context of these larger systems. Populations of rare plants outside of documented natural communities require separate conservation actions.
Essential Wildlife Habitats - MDIFW maps areas currently or historically providing habitat essential to the conservation of endangered or threatened species as directed by the Maine Endangered Species Act (12 MRSA, Chapter 925, Subchapter 3, Sections 12804 and 12806) and regulations (MDIFW Rules, Chapter 8.05). Identification of Essential Habitat areas is based on species observations and confirmed habitat use.
Once an area becomes designated as Essential Habitat, the Maine Endangered Species Act requires that no state agency or municipal government shall permit, license, fund, or carry out projects that would significantly alter the habitat or violate protection guidelines adoped for the habitat. If a project occurs partly or wholly within an Essential Habitat, it must be evaluated by MDIFW before state and/or municipal permits can be approved or project activities can take place.
Currently, MDIFW has established Essential Habitat for only four species: piping plovers, least terns, roseate terns, and bald eagles.
The Federal Endangered Species Act requires actions authorized, funded, or carried out by federal agencies be reviewed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. If your project occurs near an occurrence of Atlantic salmon, bald eagle, roseate tern, piping plover, Canada lynx, New England Cottontail, Furbish's lousewort, or small-whorled pagonia contact the Maine Field Office, USFWS, 1168 Main St., Old Town, ME 04468.
Significant Wildlife Habitats- Includes:
- Inland Waterfowl/Wading Bird Habitat- Freshwater breeding, migration/staging, and wintering habitats for inland waterfowl or breeding, feeding, loafing, migration, or roosting habitats for inland wading birds.
- Seabird Nesting Islands- An island, ledge, or portion thereof in tidal waters with documented, nesting seabirds or suitable nesting habitat for endangered seabirds.
- Shorebird Areas- Coastal staging areas that provide feeding habitat like tidal mud flats or roosting habitat like gravel bars or sand spits for migrating shorebirds.
- Tidal Waterfowl/Wading Bird Habitat- Breeding, migrating/staging, or wintering areas for coastal waterfowl or breeding, feeding, loafing, migrating, or roosting areas for coastal wading birds. Tidal Waterfowl/Wading Bird habitats include aquatic beds, eelgrass, emergent wetlands, mudflats, seaweed communities, and reefs.
- Deer Wintering Areas- Forested area used by deer to avoid deep snow/cold (non-forested wetlands, non-stocked clearcuts, and deciduous- or larch- dominated stands less than 10- acres in size may be included within the habitat polygon as drawn).
- Significant Vernal Pools- A pool depression used for breeding by amphibians and other indicator species and that portion of the critical terrestrial habitat within 250 ft of the spring or fall high water mark. A vernal pool must have the following characteristics: natural origin, non-permanent hydroperiod, lack a permanently flowing inlet or outlet, and lack predatory fish.
Significant Wildlife Habitats are mapped by MDIFW as a product of the Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA). NRPA, administered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP), is intended to prevent further degradation and loss of significant natural resources in the state including the above Significant Wildlife Habitats. MDEP has regulated activities in, on, or over these habitats to the extent these habitats were located within another protected natural resource, such as a freshwater or coastal wetland, since September 17, 2005. DEP has regulated activities in, on, or over these habitats, located outside other protected natural resources, to the extent they meet criteria adopted in rule since June 8, 2006 (38 MRSA 480-B(10)).
High Value Habitat for USFWS Priority Trust Species- This data layer portrays the highest value habitat from the Gulf of Maine Watershed Habitat Program. The analysis evaluated existing field data and scientific literature for 91 species of fish, wildlife, and plants important to USFWS in the Gulf of Maine watershed and ranked the landscape based on potential habitat for each species. This theme shows only the most important habitat (top 25%) for all species combined and excludes areas less than 5 acres. For more information please see Map 8 USFWS Priority Trust Species Habitats and the Gulf of Maine Watershed Habitat Analysis.
Maine is known for its rich landscape of plant and animal life. When natural habitat is lost or degraded due to poorly planned development and land use, species decline and we lose biological diversity and a landscape that has been part of Maine's heritage, communities, sense of place, and the backbone of our economy.
Researching and mapping of habitat for endangered and threatened species provides us with the information needed to secure a future for rare plants and animals and mapping natural plant communities allows us to direct growth and development away from our rare habitat types such as pine barrens and salt marshes. By protecting these areas, we can maintain Maine's rich landscape of plants and wildlife.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) each participate in various federal, state, and local partnerships to protect and restore habitat, and they are often asked to review permit applications where human activity may affect important habitat. Data on the Beginning with Habitat Map 2: High Value Plant and Animal Habitats are from all three agencies and can be used to help conserve and direct development away from the most important and sensitive habitats.
- Update your town's comprehensive plan so it properly plans for growth, fish, wildlife, and plant habitat conservation, and outdoor recreation opportunities. In the plan, inventory your town's high value habitats, identify gaps in local protections, and develop strategies to improve local protections. Visit the BwH Toolbox for information on using BwH in Comprehensive Planning.
- Following adoption of an updated comprehensive plan, form an implementation committee to make any necessary changes to the land use ordinances and subdivision regulations to incorporate standards for the protection of identified fish, wildlife and plant habitats. See the BwH Toolbox for examples.
- Local ordinances should encourage landowners or applicants to contact MNAP and MDIFW prior to submittal of development applications to determine potential habitat impacts and steer development away from the most sensitive areas.
- Have BwH maps accessible to your local CEO and Planning Board for review when faced with a development application. Require direct contact with MDIFW Regional Biologists and MNAP Ecologists and request review of the proposed development plan when projects involve high value habitats.
- Develop a database of local property owners who host Significant or Essential Habitats. Create local support systems that supply these landowners with information on habitat conservation. Create local reward and incentive programs for these landowners and work with them to seek grant assistance for acquisition or protection. See the Financing Habitat Protection section of the BwH Toolbox.
- Fact sheets have been developed for many of the rare animals, plants, and natural communities in your town. Refer to these fact sheets to become familiar with your town's high value habitats. The fact sheets are included in the Beginning with Habitat binder provided to the town, available at your town office. Plant and animal factsheets are available in the BwH Online Biodiversity Encyclopedia.
To learn more about specific strategies for local action, visit the Beginning with Habitat (BwH) Toolbox or contact BwH.
