Develop relationship between the index of catchment integrity and NCCA estuarine response in low gradient coastal catchments. Relating coastal indices of catchment integrity to estuarine condition

This research spatially relates and evaluates indices of catchment integrity (ICI) and watershed integrity (IWI) with estuarine condition response data using National Coastal Condition Assessment (NCCA) data in low gradient coastal areas of the Virginian Province, which includes the coastal region of the Northeast United States from Cape Cod south to the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. Indices of watershed integrity (IWI) and ICI were previously derived using landscape stressor data from StreamCat (https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys/streamcat-dataset) (Hill et al., 2016) and mapped for 2.6 million stream segments across the conterminous U.S. (Thornbrugh et al., 2018) The IWI characterizes the integrity of watersheds based on key watershed functions and the relative presence of landscape stressors that affect them (Flotemersch et al., 2016). The ICI uses landscape stressors in local drainages of individual stream segments to characterize the local influence and integrity of the catchment. Using GIS, the ICI and IWI were spatially related to the nearest NCCA sampling stations using rasters to obtain the best approximation of “across water” distance for each sample location (Figure 1). This research developing and analyzing spatially explicit stressor-response relationships with NCCA and ICI, IWI datasets extends the use of NARS data to support EPA regulatory program needs. This sub-product, SSWR 1.2.2.3, research is associated with the product, SSWR.1.2.2: Interpolation and stressor-response analyses that extend the use of NARS data to support regulatory program needs. This research is associated with the SSWR Watersheds Topic, and Research Area: Assessment, Monitoring, and Management of Aquatic Resources. Specifically, this research supports the SSWR Output 2: Extended Applications of NARS Data and Approaches to Support Priority Setting and Management Actions.

This dataset is associated with the following publication:
Kuhn-Hines, A., M. Charpentier, J. Copeland, and J. Hollister. Develop relationship between the index of catchment integrity and NCCA estuarine response in low gradient coastal catchments. Presented at Develop relationship between the index of catchment integrity and NCCA estuarine response in low gradient coastal catchments, NA, RI, USA, 09/08/2022 - 09/08/2022.