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Application of Design Principles
Getting Started
Definition
Purpose
Organizing
Examples & Links
Terms
Network Design
Vision and Goals
Network Scale
Integration
Design Principles
Application
Land Ratings
Design Checklist
Tips & Advice
Tools & Resources
Implementation
Acquisition
Incentives
Stewardship
Outreach
Funding
Maintenance
To help prioritize land investments, Defenders of Wildlife commissioned Margaret Carr and Ginevra Lewis of the University of Florida's Department of Landscape Architecture to identify and rank ecologically significant lands in northeast Florida. Some lands surrounding the four counties were included in the analysis to provide context. In this map, the orange-yellow areas are the current conservation network. The lands outside of the current conservation network are ranked with low, medium, or high environmental sensitivity values. Environmental sensitivity was assessed through the analysis of six landscape attributes:
Increase protection
of biodiversity at species, community and landscape levels. Complete a regional network of designated conservation lands. Protect, restore, and maintain ecosystems and natural processes. Preserve water quality for current and future needs of people
and natural systems. Increase natural-resource-based recreational and educational opportunities. Select optimal areas for timber production compatible with natural
resource protection.The dark green areas can be viewed as the priority areas for protection. Therefore, if you focus on the current conservation network (orange-yellow areas) and the priority areas for protection (green areas), you can identify many conservation network design principles. Some examples of design principles are identified on the map. If you scroll over the labels, you can view a detailed explanation of the highlighted principle.
Overall, the map shows the possibilities for maintaining both terrestrial and aquatic elements in a linked network of conservation areas throughout the region. It also shows that growing urbanization and an expanding road system are eliminating important habitats and fragmenting the landscape. For example, the north-south connection between the Ocala National Forest and the Osceola National Forest, one of the state's top-priority ecological linkages, is being fragmented and could be severed if poor land use decisions allow further encroachment.
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