Integrating catchment land cover data to remotely assess freshwater quality: a step forward in heterogeneity analysis of river networks

摘要: Attempts to obtain information from geospatial data in freshwater ecology is a highly challenging task requiring the development of new concepts and adequate tools. Conventionally, river networks are represented as collections vectors, but they can also be thought succession raster cells corresponding digital elevation model landscape traverse. Based on principle that each cell collects environmental influences its upstream drainage basin, we defined remote measure potential pollution named RWQ (Remote Water Quality). We used CORINE Land Cover categories found catchment area network grouped by ecological relevance weighted their respective areas catchment. To refine index account for proximity sources, tested successive buffers 1 km up full investigated point, concluding calculated most suitable index. For implementation, developed RIVERenhancer, free Python-based ArcGIS tool making possible enhancement with extracted various files. The reliability was aid situ measurements chemical biological water quality obtained several sources Danube basin (Romania Hungary). strong correlation field shows this considered surrogate depict habitats analyse heterogeneity. strength concept comes taking advantage dendritic nature networks, opening directions operations large scale approaches concerning important issues global ecology, biogeography conservation.