The three map themes provided below may be helpful tools during the planning phase of any tree planting project. Selecting the right tree for the right space means that consideration has gone into determining which species ‘fits’ the goals of the project and has the greatest ability to establish and thrive. The map layers provided here will help users plan projects that 1) align with or expand adjacent native forest types, 2) ensure trees selected match their appropriate soil type and condition, or 3) expand the potential for soil carbon retention.
This map helps users visualize the type and extent of forest communities across our region and is based on data collected by Cleveland Metroparks’ Plant Community Assessment Program (PCAP).
This long-term vegetation monitoring program provides information about forest species composition and distribution. The forest types shown on the map were adapted from existing U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) maps. So, while the boundaries of the different types generally match USNVC maps, the names of the forest types were modified by Cleveland Metroparks to align with the results of our internal plant community classification work and include six primary forest communities.
- Beech/Sugar Maple-Mixed Hardwood
- Oak-Mixed Hardwood
- Alluvial
- Wet Red Maple-Mixed Hardwood
- Ruderal
- Urban Tree Cover
Click on a color to see the name of each forest type.
More information about USNVC can be found at the links below.
Adapted from: USNVC (United States National Vegetation Classification) Database Version 2.04. 2022 Federal Geographic Data Committee, Vegetation Subcommittee. Washington D.C. Accessed 2023
This map allows users to identify the type of soil within or near a project site.
Each soil map unit (i.e., polygon) represents the spatial extent of a single soil type. Within each unit there is a 2-3 letter code that abbreviates the full name of that soil type.
Click anywhere within a soil unit to see the full name of the soil type.
Note: if a project is located in a highly urban environment, there may not be sufficient data about the soil type, or it may exist on urban fill. In those areas, consideration may be needed to supplement the planting with organic material or other soil amendments to support healthy root development.
The map displays data collected by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. Additional information about soil types and their properties can be found at the link below.
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Web Soil Survey. Available online at https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/. Accessed 2023.
This map illustrates the amount of carbon found in organic matter within soils.
Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) represents one of the largest carbon stocks in most terrestrial ecosystems and may have a strong influence on plant and tree growth. SOC is influenced by soil type and both shapes and is shaped by vegetation, insect, and microbial communities. Within northeast Ohio, values primarily fall between 45 tons of carbon/hectare (gold) and 85 tons of carbon/hectare (dark green). The gradient legend was modified to represent conditions in northeast Ohio where "Low" is in the 45-51 tons/hectare range while "High" reads in the 73-85 tons/hectare range.
Note: urban areas were not mappable for soil organic carbon and display as blank pixels.
This map shows data generated by SoilGrids and provides the average soil organic carbon stocks (measured in tons/hectare – between 0-30 cm below ground).
Poggio, L., de Sousa, L. M., Batjes, N. H., Heuvelink, G. B. M., Kempen, B., Ribeiro, E., and Rossiter, D.: SoilGrids 2.0: producing soil information for the globe with quantified spatial uncertainty, SOIL, 7, 217–240, 2021. https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-217-2021