Development of a Multimetric Index (MMI) for Integrated Assessment of Salt Marsh Ecosystem Condition NCBN Vegetation & Nekton Data

Publication Date

2017-07-07

Start Date

1997

End Date

2013

Neckles, H.A., Nagel, J.L., Guntenspergen, G.R., Nicosia Rocks, Erika, Schoolmaster Jr., D.R., Grace, J.B., Skidds, Dennis, and Stevens, Sara, 2017, Development of a Multimetric Index (MMI) for Integrated Assessment of Salt Marsh Ecosystem Condition_NCBN Vegetation & Nekton Data: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7ZP449D.

Type: Citation

Marsh vegetation and nekton (i.e., fish and free-swimming crustaceans) monitoring data were collected as part of the network-wide vital signs monitoring program. Using these data, we derived a wide variety of vegetation and nekton response metrics for potential inclusion in the MMI. We then applied a multivariate, algorithmic approach for MMI development, which is an empirical method of MMI construction from a set of candidate metrics, in which the unique contribution of each metric toward explaining the variation in human disturbance is evaluated within the context of all candidates. The algorithm identified the optimal metric set, reducing a long list of potential candidate metrics to a vital few using an objective and transparent selection process. The MMIs produced can be applied to assess condition and detect change in northeastern national park marshes.

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• Eastern Ecological Science Center
• Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
• USGS Data Release Products

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