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with a dif f icult-to-identify subspecies of sedge with no known scientific, 

 economic, or other importance. 



SELECTION OF PROPOSED NATURAL AREAS 

 After all of the ecologically significant and important data have 

 been compiled and mapped, and data on various suggested and existing 

 potential sites have been accummulated, it is then possible to begin 

 evaluation and comparison. Ideally, natural areas are located on 

 topographic maps and carefully field checked with the assistance of local 

 people intimately familiar with the areas; then these data are carefully 

 evaluated and a set of recommendations made. Under the best of circumstances 

 this can take several years, during which time many of the areas under 

 scrutiny may be developed and lost. Because of the critical time factor, 

 the ideal is compromised to some extent. Published recommendations and 

 suggestions from many scientists, conservationsits , open space planners, 

 and others familiar with various parts of the Bay region, are combined 

 with areas suggested by careful examination of topographic maps of the 

 whole region in order to yield a list of potential natural areas. 

 Evaluation of these in terms of their inherent ecological value (the 

 intrinsic factor) and the development pressure to which they are subject 

 (the extrinsic factor) produces a list of the natural areas most deserving 

 of protection and in greatest need of protection. A random sample (e.g. 

 25%) are inspected in the field for a final check on the information and 

 the method of selection. The final result is a list of areas ranked in 

 order of their intrinsic and extrinsic merit. 



