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A Lonus " o , , cy Program for Cringe Cour, Auosoted 414�%0O 3 i. <br /> In the spring of 1999 , the Biological Resources Committee of the <br /> Commission of the Environment considered criteria to these ends . <br /> The following criteria were developed by that group and are <br /> recommended by the Commission for the Environment for use in <br /> evaluating potential acquisitions : <br /> Natural Areas and 'Wildlife Habitat <br /> PRIORITY PHYSICAL LAYOUT . <br /> High Size area <br /> High Shape ( re : minimization of edge effects —could be quantified as <br /> ratio of ed e to interior area <br /> High ( Slope / elevation / orientation topography ) — might make it <br /> more or less susceptible to developments might have <br /> some special or unique feature ( things that might make a <br /> group willing to contribute to its protection )Topography : <br /> slope/ elevation / orientation - - <br /> Medium Proximity / geographic relation connectivity <br /> : proximity/ geographic relation to other natural areas <br /> Medium Does it contribute to a Wildlife Corridor ( water & land , or just <br /> land ) ? <br /> Low Position in watershed distance from source re : waterquality ) <br /> Low Geo ra hic evenness ( by watershed ? <br /> Low Does it have body of water? <br /> PRIORITY BIOLOGICAL VALUE <br /> High Biodiversi — species richness <br /> High Integrity ( needs clarification of definition , but things like <br /> crossing by roads , power lines , selective logging in recent <br /> history , other signs of degradation ) <br /> Medium Number of rare species/ State listed ( Natural Heritage ) , species <br /> of conservation concern <br /> Medium Ecosystem distinctness ( state/ regional / country ) : need to <br /> develop means to judge this <br /> Medium Presence of invasive exotic plant species ( how many species , <br /> how severely infested <br /> Low Ecosystem representation : Should we preserve some of all <br /> types ? ( beta diversity ) contribution to even representation <br /> Of the diversity of Orange County 's ecosystems , preserve some <br /> of a I I types <br /> Low Importance for bird breeding sites <br /> PRIORITY INTACTNESS <br /> High Degree of threat ( proximity to urban area , proximity to <br /> development — residential or industrial , proximity to roads <br /> and planned roads , proposed development, on the market, <br /> said to be about to go on the market threat of logging <br /> Medium Other forms of pollution or proximity to dump sites , highways , <br /> underground tanks , hog farms , etc . <br /> Low Noise <br /> Low Distance from artificial light sources <br /> 19 <br />