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depgis.DEP.NATURAL_DIVERSITY_DATABASE

Frequently-asked questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title:
depgis.DEP.NATURAL_DIVERSITY_DATABASE

Abstract:
The Natural Diversity Database Areas is a 1:24,000-scale, polygon feature-based layer that represents general locations of endangered, threatened and special concern species and significant natural communities. The layer is based on information collected by DEEP staff, cooperating scientists, conservation groups and landowners. In some cases an occurrence represents a location derived from literature, museum records and specimens. These data are compiled and maintained by the DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources, Natural Diversity Database Program. The layer is updated every six months and reflects information that has been submitted and accepted up to that point. The layer includes state and federally listed species and significant natural communities. It does not include Natural Area Preserves, designated wetland areas or wildlife concentration areas. These general locations were created by randomly shifting the true locations of terrestrial species and then adding a 0.25 mile buffer distance to each point, and by mapping linear segments with a 300 foot buffer associated with aquatic, riparian and coastal species. The exact location of the species or community falls somewhere within the polygon area and not necessarily in the center. Attribute information includes the date when these data were last updated. Species names are withheld to protect sensitive species from collection and disturbance. Data is compiled at 1:24,000 scale. These data are updated every six months, approximately in June and December. It is important to use the most current data available.

Supplemental information:
For additional information, refer to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Endangered Species web page at www.ct.gov/deep/endangeredspecies.

  1. How should this data set be cited?

    State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (data compiler, editor and publisher), 2023-12-18, depgis.DEP.NATURAL_DIVERSITY_DATABASE: State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.

    Online links:
    Other citation details:
    The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is the collector of the data (compiler), the creator and maintainer of the data layer (editor), and producer (publisher) of this information for use. Data compiled at 1:24,000 scale. These data are updated on a regular basis two times each year.

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    Bounding coordinates:
    West: -73.736064
    East: -71.773659
    North: 42.057030
    South: 40.977584

  3. What does it look like?

    http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/metadata/dep/browsegraphic/connecticutnddbfullview.gif (GIF)
    Full view of Connecticut Natural Diversity Database Areas

    http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/metadata/dep/browsegraphic/connecticutnddbdetailview.gif (GIF)
    Detail view of Connecticut Natural Diversity Database Areas

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Calendar date: 20231218
    Currentness reference:
    publication date

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial data presentation form: vector digital data

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      Indirect spatial reference:
      none

      This is a Vector data set.

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair.
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000000.
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000000.
      Planar coordinates are specified in survey feet.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.

      Vertical coordinate system definition:
      Altitude system definition:
      Altitude resolution: 1.000000
      Altitude encoding method: Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    Connecticut Natural Diveristy Database Areas
    Natural Diveristy Database Areas represented as polygon features. (Source: State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)

    OBJECTID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)
                      

    Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

    MAPDATE
    This is the official publication date of this dataset. These data are updated every six months.

    AV_LEGEND
    NDDB_FLG
    SHAPE
    Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)
                      

    Coordinates defining the features.

    SHAPE.STArea()
    SHAPE.STLength()
    Entity and attribute overview:
    Limited attributes have been included with this generalized data product. Species names and other identifiers have been purposely withheld.  The Mapdate attribute is important to note as the data are updated twice a year.  More information can be obtained by submitting written environmental review request to the Natural Diversity Database.
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Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)


  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    Karen Zyko
    State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
    79 Elm Street
    Hartford, Connecticut 06106-5127
    USA

    860-424-3011 (voice)
    860-424-4078 (FAX)
    deep.gisdata@ct.gov
    Hours of Service: Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30 Eastern Standard Time
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Why was the data set created?

The Natural Diversity Database Areas is 1:24,000-scale data. It depicts the approximate locations of state and federal listed species and significant natural communities. This data is intended to be used as a pre-screening tool to identify potential impacts to sensitive species. The data may also be used to target areas of potential conservation interest. More information can be obtained by submitting written environmental review request to the Natural Diversity Database. Not intended for maps printed at map scales greater or more detailed than 1:24,000 scale (1 inch = 2,000 feet.)

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How was the data set created?

  1. Where did the data come from?

    Source 1 - NDDB (source 1 of 2)

    State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (data compiler, editor and publisher), Connecticut Natural Diversity Database.

    Type of source media: disc
    Source scale denominator: 24000

    Source 2 - NDDB Areas (source 2 of 2)

    State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (data compiler, editor and publisher), 20231218, Natural Diversity Database Areas - State and Federal Listed Species and Significant Natural Communities: State and Federal Listed Species and Significant Natural Communities, State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.

    Online links:
    Type of source media: disc
    Source scale denominator: 24000

  2. What changes have been made?

    Date: 20231218 (change 1 of 1)
    The Natural Diversity Database tracks data on the locations of state listed species and significant natural communities.  Polygons are created and stored using NatureServe's Natural Heritage Methodology. Polygons are extracted from the database to create this generalized product called the Natural Diversity Database Areas.  Polygon centroids are calculated from the original data for selected terrestrial species and communities and a random X,Y coordinate shift is applied to each record.  The shifted coordinates are then projected and buffered by 0.25 miles to create generalized locations.  Selected aquatic, riparian and coastal species and community records are intersected with riparian segments that have been buffered by 300 feet. Topology rules are created to ensure that all of the original polygons are covered by the new generalized areas. All areas are merged together.

    Person responsible for change:
    Karen Zyko
    State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection
    79 Elm Street
    Hartford, Connecticut 06106
    USA

    860-424-3011 { CENTRAL OFFICE PHONE } (voice)

    Data sources used in this process:
    • Source 1 - NDDB

    Data sources produced in this process:
    • Source 2 - NDDB Areas

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How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    The horizontal positional accuracy of this data is unknown. The original locations have been purposely shifted and buffered to protect the exact locations and to create this generalized layer.  Some polygons represent observations that are transient or temporal in nature and are not easily recoverable on the ground (e.g. animal breeding or nesting sites).

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    The Natural Diversity Database is the central repository for state listed species data in the state. Data recruitment is on-going. The data provided to the database is not necessarily the result of statewide or comprehensive field surveys. The species selected to be included in this data product are those officially listed in the Connecticut Endangered Species Regulations at the time the layer was created. The layer is complete in the sense that it accurately reflects the data submitted and accepted by the Natural Diversity Database at the time the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection created the layer.  This data is updated every six months.

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    Polygon features conform to the following topological rules. Polygons are single part. There are no duplicate polygons. Polygons do not self overlap. Polygons do not overlap other polygons. Establishment of logical consistency was performed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection using ESRI ArcGIS software using an automated process to create and control feature topology. No automated procedures or tests were performed to guarantee desired topology other than visual inspection.

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How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access constraints: None. No restrictions or legal prerequisites for accessing the data. The data is in the public domain and may be redistributed.
Use constraints:
None. No restrictions or legal prerequisites for using the data after access is granted. The data is suitable for use at appropriate scale, and is not intended for maps printed at scales greater or more detailed than 1:24,000 scale (1 inch = 2,000 feet). Although these data have been used by the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as to the accuracy of the data and or related materials. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in the use of these data or related materials. The user assumes the entire risk related to the use of these data. Once the data is distributed to the user, modifications made to the data by the user should be noted in the metadata. When printing this data on a map or using it in a software application, analysis, or report, please acknowledge the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as the source for this information. For example, include the following data source description when printing this layer on a map: Natural Diversity Database Areas - Compiled by DEEP.

Distributor 1 of 1

  1. Who distributes the data set?

    State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Enviromental Protection
    79 Elm Street
    Hartford, Connecticut 06106-5127
    USA

    860-424-3540 (voice)
    860-424-4058 (FAX)
    deep.gisdata@ct.gov
    Hours of Service: Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30 Eastern Standard Time

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    Connecticut Natural Diversity Database Areas

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    Although this data set  has been used by the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as to the accuracy of the data and or related materials.  The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in the use of these data or related materials. The user assumes the entire risk related to the use of these data. Once the data is distributed to the user, modifications made to the data by the user should be noted in the metadata.

  4. How can I download or order the data?

    • Availability in digital form:


    • Data format:
      in format Shapefile, Feature Class (version ArcGIS)
      Network links:http://www.ct.gov/deep

    • Cost to order the data: An online copy of the data may be accessed without charge.


  5. Is there some other way to get the data?

    The data distributor does not provide custom GIS analysis or mapping services. Data is available in a standard format and may be converted to other formats, projections, coordinate systems, or selected for specific geographic regions by the party receiving the data.

  6. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?

    Geographic information sytem (GIS), computer-aided drawing or other mapping software is necessary to display, view and access the information.

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Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 20231218

Metadata author:
Karen Zyko
State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06106-5127
USA

860-424-3011 (voice)
860-424-4078 (FAX)
deep.gisdata@ct.gov
Hours of Service: Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30 Eastern Standard Time

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata(FGDC-STD-001-1998)

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