Losing Ground 2020: Statistics
Town of Monterey
Sixth Edition
Published February 2020, Losing Ground: Nature's Value In A Changing Climate reports on the pace and patterns of land development and land protection in Massachusetts between 2012 and 2017.
These statistics describe changes in land use between 2012 and 2017. Estimates of acres of land converted from a natural state to a developed state can be found here, as well as the rate of development in comparison to other areas. Natural land consists of forest, wetland, and water; open land consists of agricultural areas, bare soil, beaches, barrens, or low vegetation; development includes low density residential and commercial/industrial/high density residential development. Percentage calculations are based on the state's total land area, excluding major waterbodies.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Total area of newly developed land from 2012 to 2017 (acres)
22
266
Total area of newly developed land from 2012 to 2017, standardized by town size (acres per square mile)
0.8
307
Total area of development (acres)
264
319
Total area of natural land (acres)
16,205
62
Total area of open land (acres)
984
177
Percent developed land
2 %
318
Percent natural land
91 %
24
Percent open land
6 %
232
Size of town in acres
17,578
102
Size of town in square miles
27.5
102
The level of protection for the area is summarized below. We also consider the proportion of important conservation resources that are protected in the area, including BioMap2 Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape, Green Infrastructure Network, and relatively climate change resilient land. Percentage calculations are based on the state's total land area, excluding major waterbodies.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Total area of permanently conserved land (acres)
7,564
45
Overall percent permanently conserved
43 %
30
Total area of newly conserved land from 2012 to 2019 (acres)
127
287
Total area of newly conserved BioMap2 Core Habitat (acres)
14
289
Total area of newly conserved BioMap2 CNL (acres)
72
194
Total area of newly conserved TNC resilient land (acres)
4
232
Total area of newly conserved GIN (acres)
127
287
Size of town in acres
17,578
102
Size of town in square miles
27.5
102
Fifth Edition
Released in June 2014, Losing Ground: Planning for Resilience reports on the pace and patterns of land development and land protection in Massachusetts between 2005 and 2013.
These statistics describe changes in land use between 2005 and 2013. Estimates of acres of land converted from a natural state to a developed state can be found here, as well as the rate of development in comparison to other areas. Natural land consists of forest, wetland, and water; open land consists of agricultural areas, bare soil, beaches, barrens, or low vegetation; development includes low density residential and commercial/industrial/high density residential development. Percentage calculations are based on the state's total land area, excluding major waterbodies.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Total area of new development (acres)
7
315
Total area of newly developed land from 2005 to 2013, standardized by town size (acres per square mile)
0.3
327
Natural land converted to development (acres)
5
297
Open land converted to development (acres)
2
302
The level of protection for the area is summarized below. We also consider the proportion of important conservation resources that are protected in the area, including BioMap2 Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape, and relatively climate change resilient land. Percentage calculations are based on the state's total land area, excluding major waterbodies.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Area protected 2005 - 2013 (acres)
655
56
Percent BioMap2 Core Habitat protected
41 %
185
Percent BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape protected
52 %
123
Percent TNC resilient land protected
54 %
65
Fourth Edition
Released in May 2009, Losing Ground: Beyond the Footprint reports on the patterns of development and their impact on the Nature of Massachusetts, 1999 - 2005.
These statistics describe changes in land use between 1999 and 2005. Estimates of acres of land converted from a natural state to a developed state can be found here, as well as the rate of development in comparison to other areas. Natural land consists of forest, wetland, and water; development includes low density residential and commercial/industrial/high density residential development.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Natural land (acres) converted to development (1999-2005)
59
264
Total area of newly developed land from 1999 to 2005, standardized by town size (acres per square mile)
2.2
303
Acres protected for this area is shown below.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Acres protected (1999-2005)
765
48