CAPS is a computer software program designed to assess the ecological integrity and biodiversity value of every location based on natural community-specific models, in order to help prioritize lands for conservation action based on their assessed ecological value.

The purpose of this web site is to facilitate the dissemination of information pertaining to CAPS. Specifically, as the necessary geographic data is compiled and analyses are completed, the results will be made available via this web site.

CAPS is being developed by the following team of scientists at the University of Massachusetts, Department of Natural Resources Conservation:

Principal Investigators:

• Dr. Kevin McGarigal --Landscape ecologist; responsible for conceptual development of CAPS and general project oversight.
• Scott Jackson -- Conservation biologist; responsible for conceptual development of CAPS, liason with project sponsors and collaborators, and community outreach.
• Dr. Curt Griffin -- Conservation biologist; responsible for conceptual development of CAPS.

Research Associates:

• Brad Compton -- Project manager; responsible for coordinating and implementing all aspects of the project.
• Kasey Rolih -- Community ecologist; responsible for the ecological community classification, characterization, and mapping.
• Eduard Ene -- Computer programmer; responsible for developing the computer code for CAPS.

This web site is logically organized into the following pages:

• CAPS Documentation -- This page contains links to all CAPS supporting documentation.
• CAPS Presentations --This page contains links to slide presentations on CAPS, including an overview of the project and results from initial applications.
• CAPS Data -- This page contains links to all GIS data and CAPS maps resulting from particular applications.
• CAPS Reports -- This page contains links to the final reports and products from all completed CAPS applications.

The CAPS software is intended for the public domain, although it is still under development and not yet available to the public. The recipient of any future release of the software may not assert any proprietary rights thereto nor represent it to anyone as other than as a product of the University of Massachusetts. CAPS is to be provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The user will assume all responsibility for the accuracy and suitability of this program for a specific application. In no event will the authors or the University be liable for any damages, including lost profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential damages arising from the use of or the inability to use this program.