Columbia River Estuary Ecosystem Classification Ecosystem Complex

Dates

Release Date: 2012-01-01
Publication Date: 2023-09-15

Citation

Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, Cannon, C.M., Ramirez, M.F., Heatwole, D.W., Burke, J.L., Simenstad, C.A., O'Connor, J.E., and Marcoe, K., 2012, Columbia River Estuary Ecosystem Classification Ecosystem Complex: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9767P5Y.

Summary

These data were released prior to the October 1, 2016 effective date for the USGS’s policy dictating the review, approval, and release of scientific data as referenced in USGS Survey Manual Chapter 502.8 Fundamental Science Practices: Review and Approval of Scientific Data for Release. Estuarine ecosystems are controlled by a variety of processes that operate at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Understanding the hierarchical nature of these processes will aid in prioritization of restoration efforts. This hierarchical Columbia River Estuary Ecosystem Classification (henceforth "Classification") of the Columbia River estuary is a spatial database of the tidally-influenced reaches of the lower Columbia River, the tidally affected [...]

Summary

These data were released prior to the October 1, 2016 effective date for the USGS’s policy dictating the review, approval, and release of scientific data as referenced in USGS Survey Manual Chapter 502.8 Fundamental Science Practices: Review and Approval of Scientific Data for Release.

Estuarine ecosystems are controlled by a variety of processes that operate at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Understanding the hierarchical nature of these processes will aid in prioritization of restoration efforts. This hierarchical Columbia River Estuary Ecosystem Classification (henceforth "Classification") of the Columbia River estuary is a spatial database of the tidally-influenced reaches of the lower Columbia River, the tidally affected parts of its tributaries, and the landforms that make up their floodplains for the 230 kilometers between the Pacific Ocean and Bonneville Dam. This work is a collaborative effort between University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (henceforth "UW"), U.S. Geological Survey (henceforth "USGS"), and the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (henceforth "EP"). Consideration of geomorphologic processes will improve the understanding of controlling physical factors that drive ecosystem evolution along the tidal Columbia River. The Classification is organized around six hierarchical levels, progressing from the coarsest, regional scale to the finest, localized scale: (1) Ecosystem Province; (2) Ecoregion; (3) Hydrogeomorphic Reach; (4) Ecosystem Complex; (5) Geomorphic Catena; and (6) Primary Cover Class. For Levels 4 and 5, we mapped landforms within the Holocene floodplain primarily by visual interpretation of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) topography supplemented with aerial photographs, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soils data, and historical maps. Mapped landforms are classified as to their current geomorphic function, the inferred process regime that formed them, and anthropogenic modification. Channels were classified primarily by a set of depth-based rules and geometric relationships. Classification Level 5 floodplain landforms ("geomorphic catenae") were further classified based on multivariate analysis of land-cover within the mapped landform area and attributed as "sub-catena". The extent of detailed mapping is the interpreted Holocene geologic floodplain of the tidal Columbia River and its tributaries to the estimated head of tide. The extent of this dataset also includes tributary valleys that are not mapped in detail. The upstream extents of tributary valleys are an estimation of the limit of Columbia River influence and are for use as containers in future analyses. The geologic floodplain is the geomorphic surface that is actively accumulating sediment through occasional overbank deposition. Most features within the geologic floodplain are considered to be formed during the recent (Holocene-epoch) climatic regime. There are bedrock and pre-Holocene sedimentary deposits included where they are surrounded by Holocene sediment accumulations or have been shaped by Holocene floods. In some places, Holocene landforms such as landslides, tributary fans, and coastal dunes are mapped that extend outside of the modern floodplain. This map is not a floodplain hazard map or delineation of actual flood boundaries. Although wetlands are included in the Classification, they are based on different criteria than jurisdictional wetlands. The extent of mapping may differ from the actual limit of tidal influence.

Contacts

Point of Contact :: Keith Marcoe, Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership
Process Contact :: Jennifer Burke and Charles Simenstad, Charles Cannon, U.S. Geological Survey
Originator :: Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, Charles M. Cannon, Mary F. Ramirez, Danelle W. Heatwole, Jennifer L. Burke, Charles A. Simenstad, Jim E. O'Connor, Keith Marcoe
Metadata Contact :: U.S. Geological Survey
SDC Data Owner :: Integrated Modeling & Prediction Division
USGS Mission Area :: Water Resources

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creec_ecosystem_complex.xml Original FGDC Metadata	View	106.04 KB	application/fgdc+xml
Columbia_River_Estuary_Ecosystem_Classification.zip		10.86 MB	application/zip
CREEC_Ecosystem_Complex.jpg		1.02 MB	image/jpeg

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Illustration of data set	https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/631405b7d34e36012efa2f8c?name=CREEC_Ecosystem_Complex.jpg

Purpose

The Classification is intended to improve the understanding of controlling physical factors that drive ecosystem evolution along the Columbia River estuary as well as to provide an inventory of contemporary landforms within the estuary.

Columbia River Estuary Ecosystem Classification Ecosystem Complex

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