OC Natural Area 2017

<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>A spatial representation of potential natural areas (PNAs) which are defined as places on the landscape dominated by native vegetation that have various levels of potential for harboring high quality natural areas and unique natural features. In addition, these areas may provide critical ecological services such as maintaining water quality and quantity, soil development and stabilization, pollination, wildlife corridors, migratory bird stopover sites, sources of genetic diversity, and floodwater retention. It should be noted, however, that the actual ecological value of the PNAs can only be truly ascertained through on the ground biological surveys.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>The polygons contained in this feature class were derived from data developed for the Oakland County Potential Natural Areas Assessment: 2017 Report. Oakland County's 2015 digital aerial photography and the Oakland County NaturalArea2004 coverage were the primary data sources used to identify and delineate each natural area. Once captured, the features were scored and ranked using criteria based on several universally accepted principals of biodiversity conservation. Each feature was assigned a priority classification of One, Two, or Three. Key attributes include Priority, EnhancedPriority and TotalScore. "Priority" and "EnhanedPriority" are a reflection of quality and an indication of the level of priority to retain or conserve the natural state of the identified area.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>The term "potential natural area" is not to be confused with the legal term "dedicated Natural Area" as described in Part 351, Wilderness and Natural Areas, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act of 1994 which gives land special legal protection.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>The Oakland County Potential Natural Areas Assessment: 2017 Report prepared by: John Paskus, Associate Program Leader - Conservation Helen Enander, Information Technologist I Michigan Natural Features Inventory P.O. Box 13036, Lansing, MI 48901 (Report Number 2017-17) should be distributed with the NaturalArea2017 data. This document provides essential information for the attributes and procedures used to create the features in the dataset.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>本数据集为潜在自然区域（Potential Natural Areas，PNAs）的空间表征。潜在自然区域指景观中以原生植被为主、具备不同层级潜力以孕育高质量自然区域与独特自然特征的场所。此外，此类区域可提供关键生态服务，包括维持水质与水量、土壤发育与固持、授粉、野生动物迁徙廊道、候鸟停歇地、遗传多样性源以及洪水滞留。需注意的是，潜在自然区域的实际生态价值仅能通过实地生物调查得到真正确认。 本要素类包含的多边形源自《奥克兰县2017年潜在自然区域评估报告》的相关研发数据。奥克兰县2015年数字航空摄影数据与奥克兰县NaturalArea2004覆盖数据集，为识别与划定各自然区域的核心数据源。要素完成采集后，研究人员基于多项国际公认的生物多样性保护准则对其进行评分与分级，每个要素被赋予一级、二级或三级的优先级分类。本数据集的关键属性包括"Priority"、"EnhancedPriority"与"TotalScore"。其中"Priority"与"EnhancedPriority"为区域质量的反映指标，同时体现了对该识别区域的自然状态进行保留或保护的优先级等级。 需注意，"潜在自然区域"这一术语不可与1994年《自然资源与环境保护法》第351章“荒野与自然区域”中定义的法律术语“专属自然区域（dedicated Natural Area）”相混淆，该法律术语可为土地提供特殊法律保护。 由保护项目副主管John Paskus、一级信息技术专员Helen Enander编制的《奥克兰县2017年潜在自然区域评估报告》（报告编号2017-17），应与NaturalArea2017数据集一同分发。该文件为本数据集要素创建所依据的属性与流程提供了必要说明。编制机构为密歇根自然特征名录（Michigan Natural Features Inventory），通讯地址为密歇根州兰辛市邮政信箱13036，邮编48901。