United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Research
and Development
Washington, D.C. 20460
EPA/620/N-93/003
February 1994
/
S-EPA
r^
EMAP Overview
The Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) is an
innovative research, monitoring, and assessment effort designed to
report on the condition of our Nation's ecosystems. EMAP objectives
are (1) to estimate the current status of and trends and changes in
selected indicators of the condition of the Nation's ecological resources
on a regional basis with known confidence; (2) to estimate the geo-
graphic coverage and extent of the Nation's ecological resources with
known confidence; (3) to seek associations between selected indicators
of natural and anthropogenic stresses and indicators of the condition of
ecological resources; and (4) to provide annual statistical summaries
and periodic assessments of the Nation's ecological resources. EMAP-
generated data and techniques ultimately will provide the Agency with
tools for assessing and managing environmental risk.
The program is organized into functional groups that address the
resource monitoring, integration and assessment, and coordination
requirements of the program (see Figure 1). These groups are highly
integrated and are designed to meet changing program needs. For
example, through internal and external peer review, EMAP recognized
that Landscape Characterization was filling a dual role—addressing
Figure 1.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program
J_
Resource Monitoring
Landscapes
I
Agroecosystems
Arid Ecosystems
Estuaries
Forests
Great Lakes
Surface Waters
Wetlands
Integration
and Assessment
Assessment and Reporting
I
i
Design and Statistics
Indicator Development
Information Management
Landscape Characterization
Logistics and Methods
Quality Assurance
Program Coordination
Atmospheric and
Acid Deposition Data
International Activities
Regional EMAP
(R-EMAP)
EPA Risk Assessment
Forum (EPA-RAF)
both resource monitoring and
integration and assessment
activities. EMAP also determined
that our Nation's landscapes,
components of all ecosystems,
merit closer evaluation at the
resource level. As a result, in
Fiscal Year 1993, EMAP divided
its Landscape Characterization
program into two separate but
related components, EMAP-
Landscape Characterization and
EMAP-Landscapes. Activities of
these two groups are highlighted
on pages 4 and 5.
EMAP will continue to undergo
critical evaluation; evolve in
response to the peer-review
process; capitalize on improved
scientific understanding; incor-
porate advances in methods, data
analysis, and reporting tech-
niques; and retain continuity in
the long-term data sets it
develops.
Inside Highlights
R-EMAP.......... ...... 2
Landscape Activities 4
GIS Jargon 5
EMAP Tools 6
Publication Highlights —..... 7
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed wrth S6yA5artOla UBnsirpapsi
contains at least 50% recycled Sber
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including drainage ditches used for
agricultural management. In
addition, the study will develop
indices of biotic integrity based on
community assemblage data (e.g.,
population, distribution, and types
of indicator organisms) that are
appropriate for use as environ-
mental indicators in this highly
modified ecosystem.
Through the use of a probability-
based sampling grid, field stations
will be selected for collecting fish
and invertebrates and performing
physical habitat assessments. The
study also will sample a network of
stations to compare well-managed
versus poorly managed agricultural
areas. The data will be analyzed to
evaluate the condition of the
aquatic resources.
The project will complement
Region IX's strategic plan through
Fiscal Year 1996. The strategic plan
identifies major resources subject to
ecological risks and focuses on
protecting aquatic ecosystems in
agricultural areas. The results of the
R-EMAP study will contribute to
short-term policy decisions as well
as to long-term monitoring and
environmental protection strategies.
For more information, contact Gary
Wolinsky at (415) 744-2015.
Region X: Sampling
Selected Wadable Streams
Working with the Oregon Depart-
ment of Environmental Quality and
the Washington Department of
Ecology, Region X plans to perform
a biological assessment of wadable
streams in the Coast Range Eco-
region and the Yakima River Basin.
These areas were assigned priority
status because few data of this type
have been collected and land
disturbance is widespread in the
region. In addition, the Coast Range
Ecoregion crosses State boundaries,
fostering inter-State cooperation for
the project.
The State agencies will collect
samples of fish and invertebrate
communities at 80 randomly
selected sites. Additional data on
water chemistry and physical
habitat also will be compiled. These
data will be used to
• Determine the status of wadable
streams within the Coast Range
Ecoregion and Yakima Basin
• Compare the status of randomly
selected streams with minimally
affected reference streams
• Relate stream status and
surrounding land uses, such as
forestry, grazing, and agriculture.
The project will help establish
biological criteria for surface water
quality and set priorities for
controlling nonpoint sources of
water pollution.
For more information, contact Gretchen
Hayslip at (206) 553-1685.
Landscape Activities
Landscape Characterization
EMAP-Landscape Characterization
focuses on (1) developing a com-
prehensive landscape classification
approach for EMAP, (2) assisting
resource groups in developing
sampling frames, (3) developing a
national geographic reference
database, and (4) acquiring and
classifying multiscale remotely
sensed data [i.e., Thematic Mapper
(TM) and Satellite Pour L'Obser-
vation de laTerre (SPOT) imagery
—for an explanation of remote
sensing, see the information box on
page 6]. As demonstrated by the
following examples, data
acquisition is being facilitated by
interagency cooperation and data
sharing:
I EMAP, through the EPA, and
other Federal programs (see
adjacent information box) agreed
to purchase TM satellite scenes
for the conterminous United
States. EMAP-Landscape Charac-
terization will coordinate identifi-
cation of priority interest areas for
these data within EMAP.
I EMAP-Landscape Character-
ization and the Illinois Natural
History Survey are generating a
land cover map of Illinois. Illinois
has acquired TM data of the State
and is asking EMAP for assis-
tance. Illinois has a considerable
geographic database and is
interested in serving as a pilot
study locale. EMAP will be
Federal Programs Cooperating
to Acquire TM Satellite Images:
^,S,EPA,EMAP1; ;\'..'- " . '^'-[
U.S.GeologicalSurvey, National
Water Quality Assessment
(NAWQA) Program and EROS
Data Center
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(U.S. FWS), Gap Analysis
Program (GAP)
U.S. EPA North American
Landscape Characterization
Program (NALC)
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National Oceanic and. Atmos-
pheric Administration,
Coastal Change Analysis
Program (C-CAP)
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working closely on this with U.S.
FWS, GAP.
a EMAP also participated with
other Federal agencies in
purchasing 500 SPOT satellite
scenes. As with the TM data,
EMAP-Landscape Characteriza-
tion will coordinate identification
of priority scenes within EMAP.
For more information, contact Denice
Shaw at (919) 541-2698.
Landscapes
EMAP-Landscapes focuses on
developing and implementing a
landscape monitoring component
within EMAP to address landscape
values such as biodiversity, land-
scape resiliency, and landscape
aesthetics. In developing such a
program, EMAP-Landscapes will
follow protocols being used by other
EMAP Resource Groups.
Major ongoing EMAP-Landscapes
activities include
• Preparing and conducting peer
review of a research plan for
developing and implementing a
national landscape monitoring
program within EMAP
• Identifying landscape values or
parameters that will form the
basis for landscape monitoring
within EMAP
• Developing conceptual models
on the structure, composition, and
function of landscapes as they
relate to landscape values
• Initiating research on landscape
scales, sampling units, overall
EMAP-Landscapes
Cooperators:
U.S.FWS,GAP
U.S. EPA, NALC
U.S. Department of Energy, Oak
Ridge National Laboratory and
Tennessee Valley Authority
sampling design, and landscape
indicators.
Longer term goals of this resource
group are to compare past and
present remote sensing data to
determine changes that occur at the
landscape level. Land cover will be
classified by type of landscape, type
of change (e.g., forest to agriculture),
and general properties of landscape
pattern (e.g., degree of forest
fragmentation). Landscapes that
have undergone significant change
or appear to have significantly
compromised landscape value will
be assessed in detail to determine
potential consequences to wildlife
habitat, water quality, socioeconomic
value, and landscape stability.
For more information, contact Bruce Jones
at (702) 798-2671.
GIS Jargon
The term "GIS" is often heard when
people are discussing environ-
mental planning or monitoring.
Frequently one will hear "a GIS
could handle that data" or "that is a
good application for a GIS."
What is a GIS? GIS stands for
geographic information system. It is
a computer system designed to
store, use, and display data in the
context of their location on the
earth's surface. GIS also describes
the software that manipulates
spatial data.
EMAP uses a GIS, which operates
under a software package called
ARC/INFO, to store and integrate
the monitoring and spatial data that
are collected throughout the pro-
gram. EMAP's GIS component can
help EMAP identify the following:
B Annual precipitation and average
temperature at a given location
B Location of large estuaries that
have fish with gross pathologies
B Percent change and the locational
number of arid ecosystems
experiencing desertificatiSn-
B Land-use patterns within 50 miles
of the Great Lakes
B Changes to agroecosystems that
would likely occur over time if
agricultural lands were converted
to non-use status
B Options that must be addressed to
assess environmental condition
and manage environmental risk.
For more information, contact Mark Olsen
at (702) 798-3155.
Sample GIS Information Screen
ta-
(g' Potential Sites
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O Bands
O Band 4
O Band 3
Q Zone
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EEE3COM
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EMAP Tools
; ;i ^Remote, Censing. , ... .......... ..,,.. ,.,„,. „„.,,.
Segment) Space-borne remote sensors offer sophisticated techniques that .can be. used
.-.. ---"-'-- io niofufof joarural and anthropogenic changes to the environment. These sensors;
can be (1) active—sending out signals and.meorSii'ig information that is reflected
— r- back from the ground [e.g., synthetic aperture radar ($AR)] or (2) passive-^-
during, energy reflected 6y the earth's surface. Exaniples of passive sensors include
scanners
____
can jbe _
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Global Positioning Systems
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are satellite surveying receivers capable of highly accurate positioning.
GPS operate by measuring the time delay of transmitted radurrignals from satellites of known position and
require^thrpe components: a control segment, a space segment, and a user segment. The U.S. control
segment consists of five monitoring stations that track positions, predict orbits, ensure proper operations,
Sid correct clocks for each satellite. The U.S. space segmen\consists of a group of NAVSTAR
(Navigation Time and Ranging) earth orbiting satellites th\t transmit radio signals at regular
intervals. Both the control and space segments are operated ay the Department of Defense, fhe
user segment consists of earth-based GPS receivers that decooK signals from the satellites to',
determine latitude, longitude, elevation, and time of signal receip\|br the unknown position,.^
GPS facilitate EMAP (1) field sampling by providing an
accurate means to navigate to any position on land, air, or
sea hi a much shorter time span than conventional survey
methods; and (2) landscape characterization by providing
locational data at the ground level to verify remote sensing
data and provide .added dimensions to Geographic
Information Systems.2
Forttiore ittformatlan', contact Rick Weber, EMAP-Landscape Characterization, at
(702)798-2199,
. EPA. 1992. G1S Technical Memorandum 3: Global Positioning
Systems Technology and its Application in Environmental Programs.
EPA1600IR-92/036. Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory,
Las Vegas, NV.
GPS Receiver
(User Segment)
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Publication Highlights
Franson, S.E., Ed. 1993. Arid Colorado Plateau Pilot Study -1992. EPA/620/R-93/001. U.S. EPA, Office
of Research and Development. Washington, DC.
Larsen, D.P. and SJ. Christie, Eds. 1993. Surface Waters 1991 Pilot Report. EPA/620/R-93/003. U.S. EPA,
Office of Research and Development. Washington, DC.
Summers, J.K., et al. 1993. Statistical Summary, EMAP-Estuaries Louisianian Province -1991. EPA/620/
R-93/007. U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development. Washington, DC.
Weisberg, S.B., et al. 1993. Virginian Province Demonstration Report, EM AP-Estuaries -1990. EPA/620/
R-93/006. U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development. Washington, DC.
Please address any comments, suggestions, or questions regarding the EMAP Monitor to
Thomas L. Baugh
U.S. EPA
8205
401 M Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20460
r
'"I
-"fhe'EMAP'Monitor is prepared by the EPA Office of Research and Development. The EMAP Monitor is intended to inform
interested agencies and individuals of current activities and findings from the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program.
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