a land preservation framework for the cacapon watershed of west virginia michael p. strager charles...
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A Land Preservation Framework A Land Preservation Framework for the Cacapon Watershed for the Cacapon Watershed
of West Virginiaof West Virginia
Michael P. StragerMichael P. StragerCharles B. YuillCharles B. Yuill
Natural Resource Analysis CenterNatural Resource Analysis CenterWest Virginia UniversityWest Virginia University
OverviewOverview
Land preservation in WV
Land conservation groups
Issues or challenges
MCA and DSS framework
Application in the Cacapon watershed
Summary / Conclusions
Why land preservation?Why land preservation?
Preserve existing land uses
Protect native plant species or wildlife habitat
Extend natural areas
Preserve historically significant land
Land conservation groupsLand conservation groups
West Virginia Land Trust
Mission to protect farms, forests, wildlands, urban green spaces, and historically significant lands
• West Virginia Cave Conservancy• Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust• Indian Creek Conservancy• Land Trust of the Eastern Panhandle• WV Chapter of the Nature Conservancy
Issues faced by land trustsIssues faced by land trusts
• Limited budgets for conservation
• Reliance on easement donations
• Fragmented protected parcels
• Need for proactive planning
MethodologyMethodology
Spatial multi-criteria analysis (MCA) framework• MCA: A decision making framework for
problems with multiple goals, objectives and alternatives
• Spatial MCA: Alternatives vary with location
Decision support systemDecision support system
• An interactive, computer-based system designed to support a user or group of users in achieving a higher effectiveness of decision making
• Functions: • explore solutions by building alternatives • allow user interaction and input• provide for flexible data and analysis capabilities
(Jankowski, 1995)
EX: Cacapon River WatershedEX: Cacapon River Watershed
Cacapon Land TrustCacapon Land Trust
• Actively involved in preserving land through easements
• Mission statement:“… to assist landowners and their communities in maintaining healthy rivers, protecting forests and farms, and preserving rural heritage for the enjoyment and well being of present and future generations."
Decision making methodologyDecision making methodology
• Four objectives of Land Trust:
• Develop multiple criteria to meet each objective
AgricultureForests
Water qualityRural heritage
Criteria for each objectiveCriteria for each objective
Large intact interior forestThreat of forest conversionRiparian forested areasForest biodiversity and conditionAdjacent/connected forested blocksSingle ownership (private) of forested landEconomic viability and sustainability of forests
Natural streams, high quality waterSustain timber landsScenic viewsheds and scenic corridorsHistoric sites Recreational land use Valuable farm landsCulturally-significant placesScenic placesEncouraging stewardship by communityWild landsRural lifestyles and traditionsSignificant habitats and special natural areasFarms within viewshed
Farms in floodplainsFarms with unique features Economic sustainabilityFarms threatened by developmentFarms with sustainable ag practicesContiguity with other farmlands Farms, near a river Farms that use BMP’s Working family farms Farms on prime soils
Water Quality Rural Heritage
Agriculture
Forests
Forested riparian buffersLarge tracts of undeveloped landLands in proximity to protected areasGrassy riparian buffersGroundwater recharge areasHigh quality floodplains, wetlands, and streams Headwater streams
Assign weights to criteriaAssign weights to criteria
Analytical hierarchy process (AHP): • A pairwise comparison method• A choice and relative weight for strength of
preference
Weighting resultsWeighting results
Integration of componentsIntegration of components
GIS data layers
Preference weights
Prioritized locations
Solving algorithm
Forests
Implementation strategiesImplementation strategies
• Adapting results to the real world - “Can’t buy a pixel but you can buy a parcel”
• Additional issues and complexity in using parcels• Multifunctionality • Limited budget • Protection of contiguous areas
Decision support systemDecision support system
• Assists the Land Trust in parcel identification• Explores the solutions under different weightings• Proactively target high priority lands• Evaluate “walk in” easements• Interactively include/weight new criteria
Current statusCurrent status
• Land Trust is actively using the GIS data, ranking methodology and results in the decision support system (DSS)
• Easement acquisition is now more proactive• Evaluation of proposed easements is more
defendable• “I use the DSS weekly, and at times daily, to build maps, target
landowners, identify high priority corridors connecting conservation hubs to public lands, or to triage easement donations with the high priority lands.” - Nancy Ailes, Director, Cacapon Land Trust, April 23, 2004.
Summary / conclusionsSummary / conclusions
The Multiple Criteria Analysis (MCA) framework and Decision Support System (DSS) provides a valuable land management tool
Ability to document decision making process
Bottom up approach involving local issues and stakeholders
AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments
Canaan ValleyInstitute
Cacapon Land Trust