Coastal Cataloging
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Contents |
Protocol
Our data point will be cataloged using the following criteria:
| Stability | Land Use/Cover | Shoreline Composition | Bank Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stable (+40%) | Forested (+40%) | Beach | < 50˚ (-10%) |
| Vegetated (+10%) | Marsh(+10%) | Marsh | Unknown |
| Undercut (+5%) | Grass (+5%) | Mudflat | - |
| Natural Disturbance (-5%) | Shrub (+5%) | Tidal Wetland | - |
| Run-off (-5%) | Bare (-5%) | Oyster Reef | - |
| Impervious Surface (-5%) | Residential (-5%) | Cleared | - |
| Bulkhead (-10%) | Agriculture (-5%) | Unknown | - |
| Rip-rap (-10%) | Timbered (-10%) | - | - |
| Unknown (-10%) | Commercial (-15%) | - | - |
Expectations
As we prepare to go out into the actual field, the team has come to an assumption that we will see some major developed areas and possibly some notifications for further developing. In addition to this, we expect to see (in some of the underdeveloped areas) many undercuts (mostly from boat wake) and areas of erosion showing that man has made a major impact even on areas where buildings have not yet been put up.
Field Work Timeline
Group met on November 5th to decided on fieldwork time line and procedure. A van will be borrowed from the Environmental Science Department. A GPS device will be used to collect data points, which GIS will allow mapping of data point. At least three hours will be spent collecting data on November 7th. Subsequent data collecting will be conducted on November 15 and November 29.
Group went out Nov. 28, launch was successful, mainly through a neighborhood area so almost all results were rip-rap or bulkhead.
Group went out again on Nov. 29, launch was again successful, this time completing more of the riparian area.
Data Collection
Handheld GPS
While in the field, spatial data will be collected using a Trimble GeoExplorer 3. The Trimble GeoExplorer 3 receives signals from the Global Positioning System, which is a series of orbiting satellites that transmit a constant signal towards the Earth. When the handheld device is receiving signals from at least three GPS satellites, position is calculated through a trigonometric function known as trilateration. Coordinate data is produced and recorded to the devices’ internal hard drive, which can be converted for use with the cartographic analysis program ArcGIS.
The Trimble GeoExplorer 3 will be used to record physical characteristics of the Chickahominy River shoreline. These characteristics will be recorded as vector data, represented as lines along the shoreline. We have built a data dictionary on the Trimble GeoExplorer 3 that allows a user to select the characteristics that best represent a given section of the shoreline. Once set by the user, the handheld records a point every 2 seconds, relating feature data from the data dictionary to each point and ultimately creating a line that can be used to overlay a base map on ArcGIS.
Digital Camera
Using a digital camera, we will take photographs of the feature data collected by the handheld GPS. As we canoe down the river we will collect as many pictures as possible to build a comprehensive view of the shoreline. These pictures will supplement the coordinate data and be useful as a catalog that can be accessed and updated as the project progresses.
Data Modeling
The data collected in the field will be applied to several models that we are developing to measure Ecosystem Services provided by the shoreline of the Chickahominy River. Each model will use a grading system to show the level of ecosystem produced or probability that an ecosystem service will be provided at a point along the shore.
Great Blue Heron Habitat Model
Powerpoint Presentation
Coastal Cataloging Powerpoint Presentation
GIS Data Maps
Shoreline Composition Along the Chickahominy River
Shoreline Bank Elevation Along the Chickahominy River
Shoreline Bank Slope Along the Chickahominy River
Adjacent Land Use Along the Chickahominy River
Resources
Shoreline Situation Procedure from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Evaluating Reliability of Habitat Sustainability Index Models
Density as Misleading Indicator of Habitat Quality
USGS National Wetlands Research Center: Habitat Suitability Index Models
US Fish & Wildlife Service Habitat Evaluation Procedures Handbook
