Fisheries River Classification - Institute for Fisheries Research (IFR)

This dataset identifies the physical channel units, termed "valley segments", that are based upon the concept of a natural ecological unit, as defined by the spatial scales of riverine physical and biological processes. Valley segments are fairly large units that are characterized by relatively homogenous hydrologic, limnologic, channel morphology, and riparian dynamics; valley segment characteristics change sharply at stream junctions, slope breaks, and boundaries of local landforms. Catchment size, hydrology, water chemistry, water temperature, valley character, channel character, and fish assemblages were the attributes used to interpret and describe the ecological character of river valley segments. A GIS was utilized to interpret the information from the catchment and valley characteristics and categorizations were developed for each component attribute and assigned category values for each segment. Results were stored in ArcView 3.0 format. This dataset on valley segment classifications provides an initial description of the river resources in the Lower and Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This dataset and its development are an iterative process in which validation of attribute codings and the addition of new attributes will continue.本数据集所界定的物理河道单元被称为河谷段（valley segments），其构建基于自然生态单元的概念——该概念由河流物理与生物过程的空间尺度所界定。河谷段属于规模较大的单元，其核心特征为水文、湖沼学、河道地貌及河岸动态属性相对均一；河谷段的特征会在河流汇口、坡度突变点及局部地貌边界处发生剧烈变化。集水区面积、水文状况、水化学特征、水温、河谷特征、河道特征及鱼类群落，均为阐释与描述河谷段生态特征的属性指标。本研究借助地理信息系统（GIS）对集水区与河谷特征相关信息进行解析，并针对各分项属性构建分类体系，为每个河谷段赋予分类数值。最终结果以ArcView 3.0格式存储。本河谷段分类数据集初步描述了密歇根州下半岛与上半岛的河流资源状况。本数据集及其构建过程属于迭代式工作，后续将持续开展属性编码验证并新增相关属性。