TxMAP User Guide

TxMAP USER GUIDE

t x m a p . n r i . t a m u . e d u

Getting started with the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute TxMAP tool

O v e r v i e w

TxMAP provides Texas stakeholders with information to better understand and visualize natural resources across the state through the detailed

curation

of

multiple

statewide

datasets that represent our program areas of Wildlife Conservation and Mitigation, Land Trends

and

Demography,

Military

Land

Sustainability, and Private Land Stewardship.

The tool allows users to customize the interactive map by defining areas of interest to perform an intersect query on selected geospatial data layers. Results can be printed directly, or exported as an informative report.

L E T ' S

G E T

S T A R T E D !

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H O M E P A G E

S N A P S H O T

Here, users will be prompted to customize their search area through a simple step-by-step process directed on the lefthand side of the page. Results can be exported using the Create Report function at Step 5, or a simple map can be printed by selecting the Print Map button.

While exploring the web tool, users can also utilize various stationary features, listed here.

Zoom in and out of interactive map Re-center the map on the entire state of Texas Print the extent of the map displayed without generating a report

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Read TxMAP summary information Pick a basemap from the gallery Expand the map legend Collapse the map legend

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T H E S E

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Users can navigate to a specific area of interest using one of three options: 1. Find Address or Place – Search by entering a known address, place, or coordinate (DD, DDM, DMS, or USNG notation) into the text box provided.

2. County – Select a Texas county from the dropdown list.

3. Manual Zoom and Pan – Navigate to specific parts of the state by using the static (+/-) keys on the screen or the scrolling feature on a computer mouse.

Users can delineate their area of interest by drawing a boundary using the web tool or uploading a pre-created boundary. Selections may be cleared

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D E F I N E

B O U N D A R Y

using the Clear All button.

Note: Users must create a boundary in order to export a results report at Step 5.

Upload a boundary shapefile: 1. Click the Upload Boundary button.

2. Enter a URL from an ArcGIS Online (AGOL) or an ArcGIS Portal that supplies data or choose a file (zipped polygon shapefiles only) from your computer. Note: You can use this step to upload multiple boundaries included in one shapefile, however, the report will not distinguish values for each boundary.

3. Click the Upload File button.

Draw a boundary: 1. Click the Draw Boundary button.

2. Select the boundary color from the drop down (Cyan, Yellow, or Dark Gray).

3. Single click to add points to the boundary.

4. Double-click to complete/close the boundary.

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Note: You cannot use the drawing function to draw multiple boundaries.

Users can further define unique locations or points of interest in or 3 .

M A R K U P

M A P

around their boundary by using the graphic icons listed below. Drop down lists with additional options for color and style are available for several of the graphics.

Select: Single click to select a graphic. Click and drag vertices to adjust the shape or size. Click and drag the center of the shape to move its location.

Point: Single click to add a point.

Polyline: Single click to add points, then double click to complete the line.

Polygon: Single click to add points, then double click to complete the polygon. Single click using the Select tool (arrow) to edit the polygon.

Rectangle: Click and drag the mouse to draw the desired size, then release the mouse to complete the rectangle. Single click using the Select tool (arrow) to edit the rectangle.

Circle: Click and drag the mouse to draw desired size, then release the mouse to complete the circle. Single click using the Select tool (arrow) to edit the circle.

Text: Enter text into the provided text box, click Add Text, and single click on the map to place text.

Clear graphics: Select to clear all graphics drawn on the map without erasing the boundary lines previously created in Step 2. To delete a single graphic, use the Select tool to select a graphic or text, and hit the delete button on the keyboard.

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Data layers are grouped by major categories, including general land and 4 .

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D A T A

water features and NRI's key program areas. Each layer group can be expanded to view individual data layers by selecting the down arrow next to the group name.

Users can select Report and/or Map for individual data layers or for the layer group as a whole. The Map function will add the data layer to the map view. The Report function will include the data layer information in the results report.

Notes: Information about data layers can be viewed by clicking the information icon

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next to the layer name.

Users must select the Report function for at least one data layer in order to export a report.

Some data layers may not appear to draw on the map because they are county-level datasets (such as the Private Land Stewardship layers).

Clicking on the map will provide "pop-up" information about visible data layers. Select the left and right arrows on the pop-up window to view multiple records.

Drawing times may vary depending on the map extent and detail of the layer.

Report and/or Map data layers: Report and/or map all data layers within a group by checking the Report and/or Map box next to the group name.

Report and/or map individual data layers by checking the Report and/or Map box next to the layer name.

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Users can export the customized map into a results report. Maps in the 5 .

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report will show the same data layers and extent as the current viewing window.

Note: The report map may omit the drawn boundary or other graphics. You may have to adjust the extent of the map in the map viewer to achieve your desired map in the generated report. Use the mouse to click and drag the map to center your boundary in the map viewer, use the scroll feature on the mouse or the zoom buttons on the screen to adjust the scale.

Generate a report: 1. Type desired report title and subtitle in the text boxes provided.

2. Optional: Check the Include Surrounding Areas box to include a buffer area in the report results. Modify the size of the buffer by selecting the desired distance using the dropdown lists provided.

Q U E S T I O N S ?

3. Click the Generate Report button. The report will generate in a separate pop-up window.

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LAND – Layers defining land characteristics and features relevant to working land management.

Counties – County boundaries of Texas. Data source: United States Census Bureau Elevation - Statewide elevation contours at 5 foot intervals. Data source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Ecoregions – Gould's ecological regions of Texas. Data source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Air Quality PM10 - Estimated airborne particulate matter particles, less than 10 microns in size (PM10), in soil surface. Designed to identify areas that could emit PM10 particles and to describe the possibility on a scale of 0 (no or very low risk) to 1.00 (highest risk). Data source: SSURGO database from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Air Quality PM2.5 - Estimated airborne particulate matter particles, less than 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5), in soil surface. Designed to identify areas that could emit PM2.5 particles and to describe the possibility on a scale of 0 (no or very low risk) to 1.00 (highest risk). Data source: SSURGO database from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Mechanical Site Prep - Estimated suitability values for use of surface-altering soil tillage equipment during site preparation in forested areas. "Well suited" indicates the soil has features that are favorable for the specified kind of site preparation and has no limitations. "Poorly suited" indicates the soil has one or more properties that are unfavorable for the specified kind of site preparation.

Mechanical Site Prep cont. - "Unsuited" indicates the expected performance of the soil is unacceptable for the specified kind of site preparation or extreme measures are needed to overcome the undesirable soil properties. Data source: SSURGO database from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Pond/Reservoir Areas - Estimated suitability values for pond reservoir construction. Soil best suited to this use have low seepage potential in the upper 60 inches. The seepage potential is determined by the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) of the soil and the depth to fractured bedrock or other permeable material. Excessive slope can affect the storage capacity of the reservoir area. "Not limited" indicates the soil has features that are very favorable for the specified use. Good performance and very low maintenance can be expected. "Somewhat limited" indicates the soil has features that are moderately favorable for the specified use. The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or installation and fair performance and moderate maintenance can be expected. "Very limited" indicates the soil has one or more features that are unfavorable for the specified use. The limitations generally cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or expensive installation procedures. Poor performance and high maintenance can be expected.

Data source: SSURGO database from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Prescribed Burning - Estimated suitability values for prescribed burning. Ratings represent the relative limitations of soil and physiographic factors upon the ability to safely contain the fire, as well as soil and climatic factors on the ability to obtain a favorable vegetative response to the treatment. Additionally, this value assesses 7

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Prescribed Burning cont. - the risk of water and wind erosion prior to reestablishing adequate watershed cover on the treatment site. Soils that are rated "not limited" have no restrictions for prescribed burning. A "somewhat limited" rating implies that the soil has features that may impede prescribed burning. A "very limited" rating indicates that the soil characteristics are such that they limit or prohibit prescribed burning. Data source: SSURGO database from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Range Production - Estimated range production values. Total range production is the amount of vegetation that can be expected to grow annually in a well managed area that is supporting the potential natural plant community. It includes all vegetation, whether or not it is palatable to grazing animals. Values are expressed in pounds per acre of air-dry vegetation in a normal year (growing conditions are about average). Data source: SSURGO database from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Erosion - Estimated susceptibility values for soil erosion (factor K). Erosion factor K indicates the susceptibility of a soil to sheet and rill erosion by water.

Values of K range from 0.02 to 0.69. Other factors being equal, the higher the value, the more susceptible the soil is to sheet and rill erosion by water. Data source: SSURGO database from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Upland Native Herbaceous Plants - Estimated suitability as either primary or secondary wildlife habitat through the establishment and maintenance of native herbaceous plants. The ratings are for the soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use, existing vegetation, water sources, and the presence or absence of wildlife in the area. The soil properties and qualities

Upland Native Herbaceous Plants cont. - important in the establishment and management of upland native herbaceous plants are soil temperature, available water holding capacity, wetness, coarse fragments in the surface, salts, moisture regime, surface clay or sand content. Rating class terms indicate the extent to which the soils are limited by the soil features: "not limited" indicates the soil has no limiting features, "somewhat limited" indicates the soil has limiting features that can be overcome with proper planning, design, installation, and management, "very limited" indicates that the soil has one or more very limited features that can only be overcome with special planning, major soil modification, special design, or significant management practices. Data source: SSURGO database from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wildlife Food Plots - Estimated soil suitability for planting and cultivating food plots to produce forage for upland wildlife species. The soil properties that affect establishment of wildlife food plots are surface texture, pH, salinity, sodium, soil drainage, flooding, ponding, depth to water table, organic matter content, slope, and surface gravels, cobbles, and stones. "Not limited" indicates the soil has no limiting features, "somewhat limited" indicates the soil has limiting features for the specified use that can be overcome with proper planning, design, installation, and management, "very limited" indicates the soil has one or more very limiting features that can only be overcome with special planning, major soil modification, special design, or significant management practices. Data source: SSURGO database from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

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WATER – Layers depicting water-related features and boundaries.

Major Rivers – Major rivers in Texas. Data source: Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Watersheds – 10-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) watersheds in Texas. The hydrologic units are arranged or nested within each other, from the largest geographic area (regions) to the smallest geographic area (cataloging units). Each hydrologic unit is identified by a unique hydrologic unit code (HUC) consisting of two to twelve digits based on four levels of classification in the hydrologic unit system. Data source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Waterbodies - Texas surface waterbodies including ponds and lakes from the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Data source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Streams - Texas stream segments and reaches from the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Data source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Average Rainfall – Average rainfall in inches across Texas. Data source: Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) River Basins – Drainage basins for major rivers in Texas. Data source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Aquifers – Major and minor aquifers in Texas. Data source: Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)

100-year Flood Zone – 100-year flood zone in Texas. Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) are defined as the area that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The 1-percent annual chance flood is also referred to as the base flood or 100-year flood. Data source: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Zone A: Areas subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event generally determined using approximate methodologies. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply.

Zone AE: Areas subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event determined by detailed methods. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply.

Zone AH: Areas subject to inundation by 1-percent-annual-chance shallow flooding (usually areas of ponding) where average depths are between one and three feet. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply.

Zone AO: Areas subject to inundation by 1-percent-annual-chance shallow flooding (usually sheet flow on sloping terrain) where average depths are between one and three feet. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply. Some Zone AO have been designated in areas with high flood velocities such as alluvial fans and washes.

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LAND TRENDS AND DEMOGRAPHY – Layers summarizing demographic and land use characteristics.

Population Change 1997-2017 – Population percent change from 1997 to 2017 by Texas county. Data source: Texas Demographic Center Population Projection 2020-2070 – Projected population percent change from 2020 to 2070 by Texas county. Data source: Texas Demographic Center Average Farm Size 2017 – Average ownership (farm) size in 2017 by Texas county. Data source: USDA NASS Census of Agriculture Fragmentation 2017 - Fragmentation risk index by Texas county. The fragmentation risk index is calculated using the average farm size in 2017, total number of operators over 65 years old in 2017, percent change in market value from 1997 to 2017, and projected population growth percent change from 2020 to 2070. Data sources: USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, Texas State Comptroller, and Texas Demographic Center Cropland 2017 - Total acres of cropland in 2017 by Texas Independent School District (ISD). The cropland land use includes irrigated cropland and dry cropland as reported in acres. Data source: Texas State Comptroller Grazing Land 2017 - Total acres of grazing land in 2017 by Texas Independent School District (ISD). The grazing land land use includes native rangeland, nonnative pasture, and barren lands as reported in acres. Data source: Texas State Comptroller Timber 2017 - Total acres of timber land in 2017 by Texas Independent School District (ISD). The timber land use includes timber, timber '78, timber in transition,

Timber 2017 cont. - and restricted timber lands as reported in acres. Data source: Texas State Comptroller Wildlife Management 2017 - Total acres of wildlife management land in 2017 by Texas Independent School District (ISD). The wildlife management land use includes wildlife management lands as reported in acres. Data source: Texas State Comptroller Other 2017 - Total acres of other working land uses, such as orchards, in 2017 by Texas Independent School District (ISD). The other land use includes orchards and other agricultural lands as reported in acres. Data source: Texas State Comptroller Total Working Land 2017 - Total acres of all working lands (all land uses) in 2017

by Texas Independent School District (ISD). Total working lands includes all cropland (irrigated and dry), grazing land (native rangeland, non-native pasture, and barren), timber land (timber, timber '78, timber in transition, and restricted timber), wildlife management, and other (orchards and other) agricultural lands collected and compiled by the Texas State Comptroller. Data source: Texas State Comptroller Working Land Market Value 2017 - Average market value ($/ac) of working lands in 2017 by Texas Independent School District (ISD). Data source: Texas State Comptroller Agricultural Production Value 2017 - Average production value ($/ac) of working lands in 2017 by Texas Independent School District (ISD). This is the average value of the land based solely on the ability to produce commodities such as food and fiber. Data source: Texas State Comptroller 1 0

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Hunting Lease Prices 2016 - Average hunting lease prices in 2016 by Texas county. Data source: Texas State Comptroller Wind Turbines – Existing wind turbine locations in Texas as of 2020. Data source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Oil and Gas Shale Plays - Oil and gas shale play (geological formation containing fossil fuels) locations in Texas. Data source: United States Energy Information Administration (USEIA) Oil and Gas Market Value 2017 – Average market value ($/ac) of oil and gas leases in 2017 by Texas Independent School District (ISD). Data source: Texas State Comptroller

MILITARY LAND SUSTAINABILITY – Layers summarizing military land boundaries and infrastructure.

Military and Weather Radar – Existing military and weather radar locations in Texas. Data source: United States Department of Defense (DOD) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Military Installations and Ranges – Military installations and ranges for all branches of service in Texas. Data source: United States Department of Defense (DOD) Special Use Airspace (SUA) – Airspace in Texas reserved for military operations.

Designated by category including Alert, Warning, Restricted and Prohibited. Data source: United States Department of Defense (DOD) Military Training Routes Below 1,500' (MTR) - Airspace in Texas reserved for military flight training missions. Data source: United States Department of Defense (DOD)

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION – Layers indicating presence of species of concern and administrative boundaries for protected lands.

Rare, Endangered, and Threatened Species - Rare, threatened, and endangered species listed by Texas county. Data source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Critical Habitat - Habitat considered critical for threatened and endangered species in Texas. Data source: United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) State Parks and Management Areas - State parks and other areas preserved for wildlife conservation in Texas. Data source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) National Parks - National parks in Texas. Data source: United States National Park Service (NPS) National Wildlife Refuges - National wildlife refuges in Texas. Data source: United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Forests and Grasslands - National forest or grasslands in Texas. Data source: United States Forest Service (USFS) Mussels - Mussels records identified in HUC12 level watersheds across Texas. (See Watersheds for HUC description) Data source: Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI)

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PRIVATE LAND STEWARDSHIP – Established organizations that provide assistance and guidance in various aspects of private land management and stewardship.

Wildlife Management Associations - Wildlife management associations in Texas.

Data source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) River and Water Authorities – Local river and water authorities in Texas. Data source: Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Groundwater Conservation Districts - Local groundwater conservation districts in Texas. Data source: Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)

Q U E S T I O N S ?

C O N T A C T

Texas Parks and Wildlife Biologists – Texas Parks and Wildlife district biologists.

Data source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Natural Resources Conservation Service Representatives – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) district representatives in Texas. Data source: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Texas Forest Service Programs - Texas Forest Service programs and contacts.

Data source: Texas Forest Service (TFS)

U S

Email the

Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute

Geospatial Analysis Team at

578 John Kimbrough Blvd.

nri-gis@ag.tamu.edu

AgriLife Services and Agents – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension county services and agents. Data source: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

College Station, TX 77843 979.845.1851 I NRI.TAMU.EDU

TXMAP.NRI.TAMU.EDU 1 2