Regional environmental studies: application of the Geoecology Data Base. [County level studies]

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:6150624

Olson, R J; Klopatek, J M; Emerson, C J

Regional studies examine the spatial, temporal, and functional characteristics of geographic areas whose size and boundary configuration often depend on the definition of a particular problem. Thus, reference may be made to ecological, urban, economic, political, or abstract regions. To address environmental problems at the regional scale, the county-level Geoecology Data Base was developed. Using selected variables from existing data sources, a standardized digital data base was created for the conterminous United States. Over 1000 variables on file for county-subcounty units provide data on terrain, water resources, forestry, vegetation, wildlife, agriculture, land use, climate, air quality, population, and energy. The data base is described, and the utility of the county-level data base is illustrated with three examples. The Geoecology Data Base is utilized in conjunction with statistical analysis (SAS) and cartographic display (SYMAP, EZMAP, etc.) programs to both characterize regional environmental systems and to delineate possible environmental impacts. Much of the effort involved in creation and expansion of the Geoecology Data Base consists of obtaining and editing diverse inventory and monitoring files. An integral aspect of this activity is the promotion of data exchange through increased awareness of available data and development of more efficient exchange methods. The three examples involve regional environmental studies. First, future patterns of projected levels of SO/sub 2/ are overlaid on SO/sub 2/-sensitive agricultural crops and forest resources. Secondly, those areas of potential natural vegetation of the United States as modified or replaced by current land use are depicted.Finally, an ecological evaluation of potential wilderness areas using a number of county-subcounty ecological parameters is discussed.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6150624
• Report Number(s): CONF-790739-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AGRICULTURE
AIR POLLUTION
AIR QUALITY
CHALCOGENIDES
CLIMATES
CROPS
DATA
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
DATA COMPILATION
ECOLOGY
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FORESTRY
FORESTS
GEOLOGY
INFORMATION
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
LAND USE
MATHEMATICS
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
STATISTICS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
USA