Assessing Landscape Condition by Watershed in New York

GIS is a critical tool to aid in setting conservation priorities, especially when funding is limited. Taking a broad, statewide approach to ecological analysis, The Nature Conservancy is able to rank watersheds based on existing conditions, stresses, and potential future stresses, then focus on specific site strategies that are most appropriate.

Census data provides correct population density, housing density, and population change. Land cover and road density are also used in classifying watersheds. Public lands and privately held conservation lands and easements are given values based on the level of protection. Watershed ranking occurs by assigning weighting factors to the ecological criteria and level of protection. The results represent an index of relative quality that can be used for comparative purposes across the state to help conservation organizations both validate current work and guide decision making regarding resource allocation in the future.