Are Vermont’s rare, threatened, and endangered species habitats adequately protected? A watershed-scale analysis

Abstract

Vermont contains a wide range of forests, wetlands, and waterways that support many rare, threatened, and endangered (RTE) plant and animal species. As development, land-use change, and habitat fragmentation continue across the state, it is increasingly important to understand whether existing protected lands are sufficient to conserve these vulnerable species. My project addresses that problem by examining how well RTE species habitats align with Vermont’s protected lands and identifying where conservation gaps remain. Because ecological conditions vary widely across the state, my analysis focuses on watershed-scale patterns to reveal local needs that may be hidden in statewide summaries. To evaluate the relationship between RTE habitats and protected lands, I compiled spatial datasets from state agencies that map RTE plant and animal habitats, watershed boundaries, and protected lands categorized by their level of long‑term conservation. Using QGIS software, I intersected RTE habitat polygons, watershed boundaries, protected lands, and land‑cover data to understand the dominant watersheds and landscape types associated with protected and unprotected habitats. I produced numerical tables for each watershed to compare patterns across the state. My results show that most RTE habitats in Vermont fall outside protected lands. Only about one‑third of RTE animal habitats and less than one‑third of RTE plant habitats occur within areas that have long‑term conservation status. No watershed in the state protects a majority of its RTE plant habitats, and only a few protect more than half of their RTE animal habitats. Watersheds with the highest protection levels tend to contain large blocks of public land, while those with the lowest protection levels often include more private or agricultural landscapes. These findings suggest that Vermont’s current protected‑land network does not fully safeguard the habitats most important for RTE species. Watershed‑specific patterns highlight where conservation efforts could be expanded to improve habitat connectivity, reduce fragmentation, and better support species persistence. Strengthening protections in under‑represented watersheds will be essential for maintaining Vermont’s biodiversity into the future.