Methodology and Interpretation

Percent interior wetland
Percentage of wetland interior is calculated using a moving 270-meter-square window (9 pixels x 9 pixels) across the land cover. When the entire window contains wetland cover, the wetland cell in the center of the window is classified as interior. The number of interior wetland cells in the reporting unit is then divided by the reporting unit's total land area (i.e., the total number cells in the reporting unit boundary minus those cells classified as water) to derive the percentage of interior wetland. Interior wetland is required habitat for many plant and animal species.

Natural Breaks: Classes are based on natural groupings of data values. Natural break points are identified by looking for groupings and patterns inherent in the data. The features are divided into classes whose boundaries are set where there are relatively large jumps in the distribution of data values.

Metric input GIS data:

• United States Hydrologic Units (8-digit HUCs) - Metadata

• United States Coastal Change Analysis Program (CCAP) - Metadata

• Canada Hydrologic Units (Subsubdivisions) - Metadata

• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Data Set - Metadata