Satellite Data
Strengths of Satellite Data:
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Covers large, continuous areas
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Assesses riparian intactness at a watershed or regional level
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Assesses upland pressure on riparian areas
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Allows for comparisons between water bodies or watersheds
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Prioritizes restoration and conservation efforts when intactness is paired with upland pressure on riparian areas
To see photo examples of each of the Intactness categories, click here:
Vegetation present.
Little or no human footprint.
Vegetation present. Some human footprint.
Vegetation limited. Human footprint prevalent.
Vegetation mostly cleared. Human footprint dominant.
SATELLITE DATA
Satellite Data is a newer method which has become more common since 2015. Riparian Intactness measures the extent to which natural habitat has been altered or impaired by human activity and uses 3 metrics to look at the amount of:
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Natural vegetation
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Woody vegetation
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Human footprint or impact
in that area
Outcomes of Satellite data work:
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Creates a starting point to observe widescale riparian changes over time
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Identifies riparian areas that need extra attention due to human impacts
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Provides watershed-scale guidance to municipal and Non-profit programs that support landowners
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Provides recommendations to landowners which should always be paired with on-the-ground assessment results.