{ "culture": "en-US", "name": "", "guid": "", "catalogPath": "", "snippet": "Biodiversity Areas are smaller areas of protection, relative to Best Natural Areas, that contain naturally significant features to the preservation of Montgomery County\u2019s natural heritage.", "description": "

Biodiversity Areas (BDAs) are defined in the PROS Plan as areas of parkland containing one or more of<\/SPAN><\/P>

the following:<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P>

  1. Large areas of contiguous, high-quality forest and/or wetland which show little evidence of past land-use disturbance.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P><\/LI>

  2. Rare, threatened, endangered, or watch-list species.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P><\/LI>

  3. Exceptional examples of notable plant communities found in Montgomery County.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P><\/LI>

  4. Areas of exceptional scenic beauty.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P><\/LI><\/OL>

    Additionally, most of these areas were initially identified by staff from the Maryland Department of<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P>

    Natural Resources\u2019 Wildlife and Heritage Program.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P>

    The Biodiversity Areas layer is important because it outlines areas of special consideration when developing parkland and outlines significant natural features that should be protected or enhanced with management methods. The primary difference between Biodiversity Areas and Best Natural Areas is that Biodiversity areas do not have size requirements and have fewer selection criteria than Best Natural Areas. This layer is utilized by <\/SPAN><\/SPAN>Natural Resources Stewardship Section, Resource Analysis Section, and the Planning Section of the Park Planning and Stewardship Division, Park Development Division and Planning Department when being consulted on development or park improvement plans, as well as to target high quality areas for further surveys or management efforts.<\/SPAN><\/P>

    Workflow<\/SPAN><\/P>

    <\/SPAN><\/P>

    Layer to be updated on an annual or as-needed basis as parcels are added to park boundaries and areas are re-surveyed.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P>

    Areas to be added or updated by Natural Resources Stewardship staff must have approval from the Section Manager and the Park Planning and Stewardship Division chief. Documentation of justification is a plus, but not required. Must update <\/SPAN><\/SPAN>\u2018<\/SPAN><\/SPAN>Revised<\/SPAN><\/SPAN>\u2019<\/SPAN><\/SPAN> field and <\/SPAN><\/SPAN>\u2018<\/SPAN><\/SPAN>Revised by<\/SPAN><\/SPAN>\u2019<\/SPAN><\/SPAN> in the data, as well as any other pertinent fields.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P>

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    Location(s)<\/SPAN><\/P>

    <\/SPAN><\/P>

    SDE:<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P>