A landscape classification approach for watersheds of the Pacific Northwest: is aquaticecosubregiona

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A landscape classification approach for
watersheds of the Pacific Northwest is
aquaticecosubregionalizationeven a word?

• Chris Jordan, Steve Rentmeester, Carol Volk, Mimi
  DIorio, George Pess, Tim Beechie
• NOAA-NWFSC, Seattle

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What are we doing, and why?

• Classify the aquatic-landscape of the Pacific
  Northwest based on relevant broad-scale
  characteristics
• Major determinants of watershed processes
• Immutable geomorphic characteristics
• Human impact
• Data analysis support
• Environmental variance partitioning
• Evaluation tool for site selection

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A Made-up Example of What We Want the Output to
Look Like
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A couple of examples of something similar, but
not quite the same

• Hessburg et al. 2000. Ecological subregions of
  the ICRB based on PVG, Temp-precip, solar
  radiation, elevation.
• Omernik et al. 1999, US EPA Level III IV
  Ecoregions based on terrestrial vegetation
  assemblages.

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What are we doing, and why?

• Classify the aquatic-landscape of the Pacific
  Northwest based on relevant broad-scale
  characteristics
• Data analysis support
• Evaluation tool for site selection
• Assess representativeness of current monitoring
  and restoration efforts.
• Locate additional monitoring and restoration
  projects.

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How are we doing this?

• Taking commonly available spatial data w/
  consistent coverage across study area.
• Generating functional data layers from above.
• Attributing 6th field watersheds with a single
  value for each input data layer.
• Grouping watersheds into clusters of like, or
  classes.

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Input Data
Climate

• Annual Precipitation
• Month of Max Precipitation
• Growing Degree Day

Topography

• Median Elevation
• Median Hill Slope

Geology

• Stream sediment production
• Water chemistry

Channel Network

• Density (by gradient)
• Complexity (valley width)
• Stream power
• Tributary junctions
• Watershed shape

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How are we doing this?

• Taking commonly available spatial data w/
  consistent coverage across study area.
• Generating functional data layers from above.
• Attributing 6th field watersheds with a single
  value for each input data layer.
• Grouping watersheds into clusters of like, or
  classes.

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How are we doing this?

• Taking commonly available spatial data w/
  consistent coverage across study area.
• Generating functional data layers from above.
• Attributing 6th field watersheds with a single
  value for each input data layer.
• Grouping watersheds into clusters of like, or
  classes.

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Hydrologic Unit Code
6th field HUCs Sub-watersheds (10,000-40,000
ac)
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Five data layers 6th field watersheds with a
single values for each input characteristic.
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Five data layers 6th field watersheds with a
single values for each input characteristic.
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How are we doing this?

• Taking commonly available spatial data w/
  consistent coverage across study area.
• Generating functional data layers from above.
• Attributing 6th field watersheds with a single
  value for each input data layer.
• Grouping watersheds into clusters of like, or
  classes.

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Processing Step
Processing Tools
Spatial Analyst Zonal Statistics Reclassify
Raster
Compile categorical data for 6th order HUCS and
build as attributes into a GIS shapefile Convert
features from vectors to 200m raster
grids Stack separate raster integer grids into
one multi-band raster file Apply ISOCLUSTER and
Maximum Likelihood Classification algorithms to
separate classes based on pixel
spectra Evaluate spatial patterns using
Fragstats
Spatial Analyst Convert Features to Raster
Raster Calculator or Command Line Make Grid
Stack or Composite Bands Tool
Spatial Analyst Tools Command Line ISOCLUSTER
Fragstats Patch Class and Landscape Metrics
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Where are we and next steps

• Need to resolve 200m pixel v. 6th HUC grain
• Need to clean up a few more data layers
• Erosion potential v. Slope x Area
• T, R, S
• Month of max ppt v. hydro regime
• Need to resolve classification tool
• ISODATA v. MCLUST
• Need to make maps and get feedback
• Need to move on to anthropogenic layers