Project Number: 5342-13610-010-01
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Oct 01, 2005
End Date: Sep 30, 2009

Objective:
Utilize GIS technology coupled with process models and remotely sensed or ground-based data to improve ecosystem risk assessment and environmental forecasting relative to watershed condition, e.g. erosion, flood frequency, water storage, infiltration, and surface water quality. Formerly 5342-13610-007-00D. (03/2007).

Approach:
Activities beginning in FY05 will focus on the design and initial development of the software interface and database management system. A Beta version of the interface with limited functionality will be produced for use as a demonstration tool, and in scoping meetings. Literature research will be conducted to identify and prioritize promising methodologies for model integration. Field locations with suitable opportunities to evaluate the impacts of management activities will be sought. Potential locations include: Willamette Basin, OR; San Pedro Basin, AZ; Charlotte Rock Hill area in North and South Carolina (SEQL area); Kenai Peninsula (Alaska); and the Yantra River Basin (Bulgaria). Rangeland health activities will be focused on acquiring remote sensing data, e.g. NDVI and MODIS, for 2005 with subsequent field data collection activities for the summer and fall field seasons. Additionally, a joint EPA/ARS workshop will be convened to review land managers¿ assessment of remotely-sensed rangeland health products. Activities in FY07 will be focused on expanding the number of models in the interface, automating or incorporating spatial analysis functionality, and developing methods of integrating models and analytical techniques. Methodologies of representing management activities within the component models will be developed and evaluated. Landscape model and indicator applications using remotely-sensed data to quantify rangeland health will applied for testing at other arid/semi-arid locations in the American Southwest, e.g. Jornada Experimental Range (Las Cruces, NM). FY08 Activities: Activities beginning in FY08 will focus on automating methods of model integration, forecasting, BMP representation, and spatial analysis techniques to support model parameterization. Work will begin on the development of climate and land-use/cover scenario generators for short- and long-term forecasting of environmental impacts. Documents Reimbursable with EPA. Log 29663. Formerly 5342-13610-007-17R (4/07).