This dataset provides the results of an assessment of estuary habitat condition in the conterminous United States. To analyze estuary condition, a cumulative disturbance index was developed based on habitat stressor variable data available at a national scale for anthropogenic disturbances measured within estuaries and their associated watersheds. Twenty-eight variables were combined within stressor categories to develop four sub-indices of disturbance for land use, alterations of river flows, pollution sources, and estuary eutrophication. These four sub-indices of disturbance were then combined to develop cumulative disturbance index scores for each estuary. This index describes the estimated combined stress on estuary habitats represented [...]
Summary
This dataset provides the results of an assessment of estuary habitat condition in the conterminous United States. To analyze estuary condition, a cumulative disturbance index was developed based on habitat stressor variable data available at a national scale for anthropogenic disturbances measured within estuaries and their associated watersheds. Twenty-eight variables were combined within stressor categories to develop four sub-indices of disturbance for land use, alterations of river flows, pollution sources, and estuary eutrophication. These four sub-indices of disturbance were then combined to develop cumulative disturbance index scores for each estuary. This index describes the estimated combined stress on estuary habitats represented by the measured anthropogenic disturbance categories. Index scores are grouped into five categories ranging from 'Very Low' to 'Very High' using the Jenks natural breaks method. Scores are calculated relative to the other estuaries measured in the conterminous U.S.
The cumulative disturbance index represents the risk of current habitat degradation to estuaries in the contiguous U.S. and is a conservative estimate of the anthropogenic disturbances affecting those estuaries. Understanding how human activities are impacting fish habitat is important so resource managers can better manage these impacts and ultimately, sustain estuaries and the fish populations that they support. Identifying estuaries with the best and worst relative condition, as well as the key impacts, will help to prioritize conservation and restoration efforts.
