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The core team has developed the Habitat Affinity Database, which matches species with their essential habitat features. The team is currently identifying and mapping the essential habitat for each of the most imperiled species. This process involves an exhaustive review of the literature and coordination with experts to identify essential habitat. Then the team assembles the necessary spatial data to create maps of where these habitats are thought to occur in Virginia. This process involves the use of sophisticated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and techniques. The result will be a map of essential habitat for each of the most imperiled species. The team will then be able to identify threats to these habitats and develop strategies for their conservation.

An aquatic habitat classification is also ongoing. This part of the project groups streams into different classes depending on the region in which they are located, their size, the geology underlying the stream, the elevation of the stream, and the stream’s biological community. The team will identify which streams support imperiled fishes, amphibians, mussels, crayfish, snails, and other aquatic invertebrates. Strategies for protecting these streams and their watersheds will then be developed with input from experts, partners, and stakeholders.