Acreage of Wildlife Habitat Lost to Development
Current Value
160.00 acres
Definition
Story Behind the Curve
The amount of acreage of natural areas and wildlife habitat lost between 20006 and 2011 was 20% lower than the amount converted to development between 2001 and 2006. This indicator measures the total acreage of wildlife habitat (barren land,deciduous forest, evergreen forest, mixed forest, shrub, grassland, woody wetlands, and emergent herbaceous wetlands) converted to development.
Why Is This Important?
Wetlands, forests, and grassland are important habitats to maintain biodiversity, improve water quality, sequester carbon dioxide, and offer a high quality of life for those who live in Chittenden County. The decrease in acreage of wildlife habitat converted to development indicates that state, regional, and municipal policies to focus growth in villages, centers, and established suburban areas and not in rural areas is having a positive impact.