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 each species and then adding a 0.25 mile buffer distance to each point. 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.

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.)

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

publication date

None. No restrictions or legal prerequisites for accessing the data. The data is in the public domain and may be redistributed.

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.

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.

Natural Diveristy Database Areas represented as polygon features.

State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

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.

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.

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).

Connecticut Natural Diversity Database Areas

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.

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

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.

None. No restrictions or legal prerequisites for accessing the metadata.

None. No restrictions or legal prerequisites for using the metadata after access is granted.