ABSTRACT

An underlying issue of habitat conservation is vegetation. Not only is the total quantity of native vegetation important, but so is its relative quality and its spatial distribution. As discussed earlier, the physiographic characteristics of the region, the current pattern of vegetation is not simply a product of natural geographic conditions; it is also partly a result of human induced changes to the landscape. Future changes in land use will also influence the area’s vegetation. While a vegetation transition model associated with the indirect impacts of development-primarily those associated with flood, fire, and the introduction of exotic species-was not a part of this study, the loss of specific vegetation through the development process is should be noted. These changes are summarized in Table 10.1 and shown in Maps 10.2-10.10. Map 10.1 allows a comparison of land use/land cover vs. vegetation mapping.