Description: Watershed Biodiversity ScoreGIS Process StepsStep 1: Obtain geodatabase feature class, "wbdhu12_a_US_march2015.gdb\WBDHU12". This dataset is a complete digital hydrologic unit boundary layer to the Subwatershed (12-digit) 6th level for the United States. Online linkage: ftp://ftp.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/wbd/WBD_Latest_Version_March2015.Step 2: Clip WBDHU12 to NYS boundary plus 200 meters. Retain HUC_12 and HUC_12_Name in the feature class attribute table.Step 3: Tabulate the mean score for each watershed, calculated from the Biodiversity Indicator Tool ("BIT", 30 x 30 m raster).Step 4: Calculate Z-score for each watershed, Z = (population mean - watershed mean) / population standard deviation. Population mean = 39.3, population s.d. = 12.8. Join Z-scores to feature class attribute table.Step 5: Add field Score (alias "Score") to attribute table, and calculate values. Score = 5 (highest) to 1 (lowest). Value is derived from normal probability distribution for Z-scores. Example: Score 5 = Z-scores in the highest 5% (95th percentile) of the normal probability distribution.The Watershed Biodiversity Layer File depicts the Watershed Biodiversity Score on a red-green color ramp, where red indicates high scores, and green indicates low scores. The layer file represents only one possible visualization of the data.
Copyright Text: Data Sources
1. WBDHU12
Coordinated effort between the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) was created from a variety of sources from each state and aggregated into a standard national layer for use in strategic planning and accountability. Watershed Boundary Dataset for the United States. Available URL: ftp://ftp.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/wbd/WBD_Latest_Version_March2015/. [Accessed 29/07/2015].
2. Biodiversity Indicator Tool
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Environmental Management Bureau
Biodiversity Connectivity Model Update Project, Project Manager: Lynn A. Bogan, GIS Manager: Christina Croll, Contractor/Developer: Dr. John B. Davis
Dept. of Biological Sciences
University at Albany - SUNY