Sharing Maine DEP’s Biomonitoring data with ArcGIS Online maps and R markdown reports

Registration required: Zoom

Presenters: Doug Suitor and Adam Pepi, Maine Department of Environmental Protection Biological Monitoring Unit

Abstract: The Maine DEP's Biological Monitoring Program assesses the health of rivers, streams, and wetlands by evaluating the composition of resident aquatic benthic macroinvertebrate and algal communities. The program uses their sampling results to inform a variety of management activities, such as:

• Determining if waterbodies are attaining environmental goals (criteria) associated with Class AA, A, B, and C waterbodies as part of Maine's Water Classification Program .
• Documenting a waterbody's existing condition and tracking changes over time.
• Improving permit and licensing decisions with greater understanding of environmental impacts.
• Evaluating and documenting the success of restoration, conservation methods, and permit and license decisions at protecting and restoring aquatic life.

Doug and Adam will discuss the methods employed to create ArcGIS Online maps and reports from the Biomontoring Unit's data through the use of R scripting and R Markdown documents.