Methodology and Interpretation

Mean distance to closest like-type wetland
The mean minimum distance to closest wetland patch is the average distance from each wetland patch to its nearest neighboring wetland patch in the reporting unit. Distances are measured from edge to edge and are reported in meters. This metric is useful in determining relative wetland habitat suitability, at scales that are ecologically meaningful for specific plant and animal taxa.

Quantile: Each class contains an approximately equal number (count) of features. A quantile classification is well-suited to linearly distributed data. Because features are grouped by the number within each class, the resulting map can be misleading, in that similar features can be separated into adjacent classes, or features with widely different values can be lumped into the same class. This distortion can be minimized by increasing the number of classes.

Metric input GIS data:

• United States Hydrologic Units (8-digit HUCs) - Metadata

• United States Coastal Change Analysis Program (CCAP) - Metadata

• Canada Hydrologic Units (Subsubdivisions) - Metadata

• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Data Set - Metadata