METHODOLOGIES, RESULTS, AND APPLICATIONS OF NATURAL-RESOURCE ASSESSMENTS IN NEW-YORK-CITY

In 1985, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, in coop eration with the U.S. Forest Service, adapted traditional scientific t echniques for ecological evaluation to smaller scale applications in t he highly modified and heavily impacted natural areas of New York City . Studies were conducted on individual parks and included an evaluatio n of each park's land-use and vegetation history and intensive surveys of vegetation. Results of these studies were used to develop a prelim inary database, citywide natural resource policies, and park-specific management plans. To date, natural resource management has focused on forested acres. Park assessments revealed that forest stability and ha bitat quality are threatened by arson, vandalism, car dumping, landsca pe fragmentation, and the effects of aggressive exotic plants, chiefly vines and European maples. The primary goal of the Department of Park s and Recreation for natural area management is to maintain, and in so me instances establish, contiguous naturally regulated forest plant co mmunities that are subjected to minimal human disturbances and require minimal maintenance. Forest management work was begun in 1987 in Pelh am Bay Park, Bronx, New York. A $5 million, five-year private grant ha s allowed work to continue in Pelham Bay Park and to expand to other f orested parks throughout the city. Future inventory work will use comp uterized mapping and global positioning satellite techniques.