Meridional zones
Areas on the surface of the earth formed by adjacent meridians.
Modeling
“Development of a mathematical or physical representation of a
system or theory that accounts for all or some of its known properties. Models are often used to test the effect of changes of components on the overall performance of the system.”
Monitoring
In EMAP, the periodic collection of data that is used to determine
the condition of ecological resources. “Periodic or continuous surveillance or testing to determine the level of compliance with
statutory requirements and/or pollutant levels in various media
[air, soil, water] or in humans, plants, and animals.”
My Environment
It is a geographic information system (GIS) application that provides a wide range of federal, state, and local information about
environmental conditions and features in an area of your choice.
National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
The National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council
(NRC) performs level 2 peer review to determine if EMAP projects
have overall scientific merit and integrate both internally and with
other government-sponsored monitoring programs. Two commissions of the NRC – the Commission on Geosciences, Environment,
and Resources (specifically, its Water Science and Technology
Board) and the Commission on Life Sciences – jointly organized
the Committee to Review USEPA’s Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment Program in 1991. This NAS/NRC committee holds
about 12 meetings and produces two or three reports every
2 years; its primary purpose is to consider the scientific and technical aspects of EMAP as designed as well as considering ways to
increase EMAP’s usefulness in monitoring conditions and trends in
six representative types of ecosystems. The Committee also reviews
the overall design objectives of the program, the indicator strategies,
data collection methods, data analysis interpretation, and communication plans. Preparation for NAS/NRC reviews is coordinated by
the director of OMMSQA, USEPA-ORD, who is also responsible
for funding.
Nominal
Referring to the state of having desirable or acceptable ecological
condition. The quantified standard established for a condition indicator to represent the desirable or acceptable condition is called a
nominal assessment endpoint.
Office of Modeling, Monitoring Systems, and
Quality Assurance
(OMMSQA)
The office within USEPA’s Office of Research and Development
responsible for EMAP management within the agency.
On-frame data
Data acquired by a sampling approach that provides a probability
sample.
Parallel
One of a group of abstract lines on the surface of the earth formed
by the latitude and longitude coordinate system: parallels represent
lines of equal latitude. Only the parallel at the equator is a great
circle; other parallels are small circles.
Parameter
“Any quantity such as a mean or a standard deviation characterizing
a population. Commonly misused for ‘variable,’ ‘characteristic,’ or
‘property’.”
Pattern
In EMAP, the location, distribution, and composition of structural
landscape components within a particular geographic area or in a
spatial context.
Peer review
In EMAP, peer review means written, critical response provided by
scientists and other technically qualified participants in the process.
EMAP documents are subject to formal peer review procedures at
5 Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing Applications in Environmental. . . 227
Areas on the surface of the earth formed by adjacent meridians.
Modeling
“Development of a mathematical or physical representation of a
system or theory that accounts for all or some of its known properties. Models are often used to test the effect of changes of components on the overall performance of the system.”
Monitoring
In EMAP, the periodic collection of data that is used to determine
the condition of ecological resources. “Periodic or continuous surveillance or testing to determine the level of compliance with
statutory requirements and/or pollutant levels in various media
[air, soil, water] or in humans, plants, and animals.”
My Environment
It is a geographic information system (GIS) application that provides a wide range of federal, state, and local information about
environmental conditions and features in an area of your choice.
National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
The National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council
(NRC) performs level 2 peer review to determine if EMAP projects
have overall scientific merit and integrate both internally and with
other government-sponsored monitoring programs. Two commissions of the NRC – the Commission on Geosciences, Environment,
and Resources (specifically, its Water Science and Technology
Board) and the Commission on Life Sciences – jointly organized
the Committee to Review USEPA’s Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment Program in 1991. This NAS/NRC committee holds
about 12 meetings and produces two or three reports every
2 years; its primary purpose is to consider the scientific and technical aspects of EMAP as designed as well as considering ways to
increase EMAP’s usefulness in monitoring conditions and trends in
six representative types of ecosystems. The Committee also reviews
the overall design objectives of the program, the indicator strategies,
data collection methods, data analysis interpretation, and communication plans. Preparation for NAS/NRC reviews is coordinated by
the director of OMMSQA, USEPA-ORD, who is also responsible
for funding.
Nominal
Referring to the state of having desirable or acceptable ecological
condition. The quantified standard established for a condition indicator to represent the desirable or acceptable condition is called a
nominal assessment endpoint.
Office of Modeling, Monitoring Systems, and
Quality Assurance
(OMMSQA)
The office within USEPA’s Office of Research and Development
responsible for EMAP management within the agency.
On-frame data
Data acquired by a sampling approach that provides a probability
sample.
Parallel
One of a group of abstract lines on the surface of the earth formed
by the latitude and longitude coordinate system: parallels represent
lines of equal latitude. Only the parallel at the equator is a great
circle; other parallels are small circles.
Parameter
“Any quantity such as a mean or a standard deviation characterizing
a population. Commonly misused for ‘variable,’ ‘characteristic,’ or
‘property’.”
Pattern
In EMAP, the location, distribution, and composition of structural
landscape components within a particular geographic area or in a
spatial context.
Peer review
In EMAP, peer review means written, critical response provided by
scientists and other technically qualified participants in the process.
EMAP documents are subject to formal peer review procedures at
5 Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing Applications in Environmental. . . 227