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show the ranges of certain species, help in specifying critical 

 sites for preservation, and are of great value in evaluating how 

 effective the list of existing and proposed sites are in 

 preserving the ecological features. Those sites with many 

 valuable ecological features can then become the target of high 

 priority field studies, as a prelude to procurement. 



There were 232 areas considered, and rated, using the 

 criteria and numerical weighting system in Table 4 and overlay 

 maps 3 and 4. The highest rating was 24 and the lowest was 1. 

 There were 57 areas with a rating of over 10. These have been 

 selected for highest priority proposed primary natural areas. 

 The rest are recommended for secondary consideration except for 

 7 areas recommended for special consideration. These include 

 areas with 10 or less points but are essential to provide 

 examples of outlier hemlock, bogs, or other special categories. 

 Thus there are 64 areas which should be given primary considera- 

 tion for procurement. This system gives a premium to diversity 

 and the greater the variety of natural features and biota, the 

 higher priority is the area. However, ecological judgment is 

 required in making the final recommendations based on the number 

 of ecosystem types represented and any special categories that 

 must be considered. Since the data have been computerized, it is 

 possible for a procurement agency to selectively determine 

 priorities using selected categories. For example, if it is 

 desired to select the areas with virgin or mature hardwoods, or 



