Development of landscape metrics for characterizing riparian-stream networks

Sampling methods and functionally related landscape met rics were developed for characterizing riparian-stream networks using aerial photography and G ls. A sample area was empirically derived by using morphological characteri stics of increasing portions of the stream network surrounding points selec ted on streams, GIS functions were used to band stream networks in 10-m inc rements to a distance of 300 m, within which land cover was interpreted fro m aerial photographs and digitized. Incremental banding is an effective app roach for characterizing the composition and pattern of land cover as a fun ction of distance from the stream network. Structural attributes that captu re the linear nature of riparian-stream networks, such as the composition, width, longitudinal extent, and connectivity of woody vegetation, were char acterized. The methods developed provide a flexible framework for deriving landscape metrics of functionally important structural attributes of ripari an-stream networks for exploring relationships at varying spatial scales wi th indicators of stream ecological condition.