The decision about where to expend limited
conservation resources can be based on
imminent threat or biological importance. One
organization may decide to take a proactive
approach and ensure that places of high
biological value are protected before they
become vulnerable to development. Another
organization may try to mitigate the damage of
impending development. The map presented
here can identify those places which both types
of organizations are seeking.
In this project, data about biological value and
vulnerability has been mapped across the Mat-Su
Basin by individual factor, aggregated values,
and here, the interaction of biological value and
vulnerability. This map highlights watersheds
with high biological value, high vulnerability,
and how they co-occur in Mat-Su watersheds.
et na
ee
es
ke
D
La
hk
a /K
Kah
Kas
ro t o
iltn
a
Sk w en tn a
Mat-Su Basin - Combined
Biological Value and Vulnerability
Sh
hw i tna
ta
Ma
n
Ye
hu
t na
c
Ta l a
Wi l l o w
l it n a
L
us
eS
ittl
Scenario B1 x V2
nu sk a
Biological Value
lke
This assessment provides a first step at assessing
the relative biological value and vulnerability of
individual watersheds. It is intended to help the
Mat-Su Salmon Partnership, its partners, and
others concerned about salmon conservation to
identify priorities for their own efforts.
Additional information can be added to this
assessment to select priority watersheds for
restoration and protection of salmon habitat.
p
Ta
C h u li t n a
Su si t na
it na
High
Low
Low
High
Vulnerability
0
This map depicts watersheds based upon the four classes (low to high) from the composite
biological value (map 10) and the four classes for the composite vulnerability 2 (map 21).
The data used for this map will be updated over time as we learn more about Mat-Su salmon and
their habitat, which could result in changes to this map in the future. Interpretation of this data is
most appropriate at the subwatershed or larger scale.
map by The Nature Conservancy: M. Geist, 2009
Cook
Inlet
0
10
20
20
40
Miles
40
Kilometers
80
DATA SOURCES: See Maps 12, 13, 14, 16; Alaska Department of Fish
and Game, AK Department of Natural Resources, AK Department of
Environmental Conservation, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, The Nature
Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and US Geological Survey.
Map 22