Spatial Characterization of Environmental Gradients in a Coastal Lagoon, Chincoteague Bay

• Published in: Estuaries and coasts 2007-12, Vol.30 (6), p.959-977
• Main Authors: Allen, Thomas R, Tolvanen, Harri T, Oertel, George F, Mcleod, George M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1559-2723; 1559-2731
• DOI: 10.1043/1559-2723(2007)30[959:SCOEGI]2.0.CO;2

Spatial patterns of environmental processes are intrinsic yet complex components of estuaries. Spatial characterization of environmental gradients is a necessary step to better understand and classify estuarine environments. A geographic information system is developed to analyze the major abiotic environmental processes, to evaluate accuracy and spatial uncertainty, and to analyze potential zonation within the choked coastal lagoon of Chincoteague Bay in Maryland and Virginia, USA. Spatially extensive grid-based models of environmental gradients are constructed from existing geospatial and environmental databases, including tidal prism, bathymetry, salinity, wave exposure, and Secchi disk depth. Integration of wetland boundaries and bathymetric data provide for full basin analysis of flushing and tidal prism. Multivariate Principal Components Analysis demonstrates the covariation among gradients and provides an empirical approach to mapping multidimensional zones within the lagoon. The project documents the development of an estuarine geographic information system that can be used to analyze and compare estuarine environments and provide data for environmental decision making.