EQPT uses "Habitat Value Units" to assess the ecological quality of selected areas. A Habitat Value Unit is equal to one unit area of pristine or desired habitat. The proximity of waste reduces the value of the habitat. The GIS uses a proximity-based iterative algorithm to aggregate similarly classified waste sites. A variable size buffering algorithm is then used to approximate the effects of the waste on the environmental quality of the surrounding areas. The user designated areas are analyzed, and the resulting quality profiles are presented quantitatively in tabular summaries and graphically as grids on vector base maps.
Revised: July 14, 2003 |
Published: August 21, 2002
Citation
Tzemos S., M.R. Sackschewsky, and G.R. Bilyard. 2002.EQPT: Ecological Quality Profiling Tool. In 22nd Annual ESRI International User Conference, July 8?12, 2002. Redlands, California:Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI).PNNL-SA-36739.