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SPATIAL PATTERN OF WATER POLLUTION RISK IN MARYLAND, USA
Citation:
Wickham, J D. AND T G. Wade. SPATIAL PATTERN OF WATER POLLUTION RISK IN MARYLAND, USA. Presented at 2nd International Conference on Geospatial Data in Forestry and Agriculture, Lake Buena Vista, FL, January 31, 2000.
Impact/Purpose:
Our research objectives are to: (a) develop new methods using satellite remote sensor data for the rapid characterization of LC condition and change at regional to national scales; (b) evaluate the utility of the new NASA-EOS MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) leaf area index (LAI) measurements for regional scale application with landscape process models (e.g., biogenic emissions and atmospheric deposition); (c) provide remote sensor derived measurement data to advance the development of the next generation of distributed landscape process-based models to provide a predictive modeling capability for important ecosystem processes (e.g., nutrients, sedimentation, pathogens, etc.); and (d) integrate in situ monitoring measurement networks with UAV and satellite based remote sensor data to provide a continuous environmental monitoring capability.
Description:
Numerous field studies show that nitrogen (and phosphorous)export coefficients are significantly different acroos forest, agriculture, and urban land-cover types. We treated these export coefficients as a distribution, and used simulations to estimate the risk of increased nitrogen loads for Maryland watersheds as a function of land-cover composition. Highest risks were found in the north-central portion of the state, and the highest variability of risk estimates occurred along the Baltimore-Washington corridor. The methods apply to environmental management for assessing the risk to increased nonpoint nutrient pollution. Interpretation of the risk measures are discussed relative to their application for a single watershed and across a region comprised of several watersheds.