As a part of the assessment, subwatersheds and catchments are evaluated based on the presence and extent of several ecological indicators such as percent canopy cover, impervious surface, erosion risk, etc., that contribute to the health of the associated streams. While evidence suggests the nature of upland habitat contributes to stream health, the condition of the habitat in the riparian zone has a more direct impact.To evaluate just the quality of the riparia habitat, seperate from the condition of the subwatershed overall, we developed a set of riparian buffers to delinate the boundaries of this zone. Buffers were based on the NHD High Resolution Flowlines data set, using the Riparian Buffer Delineation Model and associated methods, developed by Ann Maclean and Sinan Abood: http://www.sfi.mtu.edu/muses/GIS_Riparian.htm

For more information on the Riparian Opportunity Assessment project and the methods used, please refer to the website: http://nynhp.org/trees4tribsny