A GIS and Remote Sensing Based Analysis of Impervious Surface Influences on Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Nest Presence in the Virginia Portion of the Chesapeake Bay

Abstract

A GIs AND REMOTE SENSING BASED ANALYSIS OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACE INFLUENCES ON BALD EAGLE (HALIAEETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS) NEST PRESENCE IN THE VIRGINIA PORTION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY By Jennifer Ciminelli, M.S. A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, Environmental Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006 Major Professor: Dr. Gregory C. Garman, Ph.D. Director, Center for Environmental Studies GIs (Geographic Information Systems) and remote sensing techniques were used to predict relationships between bald eagle nest presences and land type, distance to land type and impervious surface cover area. Data plots revealed bald eagle nest presence decreases in response to an increase in area of bareland; increases with an increase in area of forested land; decreases with an increase in distance (m) to shoreline, and decreases in response to an increase in area of impervious surfaces. Logistic regression models identified impervious surfaces as an indicator for bald eagle nest