Stein Index Classification for Streams National 20150513

Brief description

## **Abstract** \n\nThe dataset was derived by the Bioregional Assessment Programme. The parent dataset(s) is identified in the Lineage field in this metadata statement. The processes undertaken to produce this derived dataset are described in the History field in this metadata statement. \n\n\n\nA raster of landform built using the Stein Index as described in the 'INTERIM CLASSIFICATION OF AQUATIC SYSTEMS IN THE MURRAY-DARLING BASIN' page 23-24.\n\nThis is used to classify streams according to whether it is upland or lowland relative to the surrounding terrain and high energy or low energy depending on landscape features.\n\n## **Purpose** \n\nTo provide a simple classification of streams for regions where there was limited information\n\n## **Dataset History** \n\nThe final definitions for landform, in terms of the Stein index are:\n\n \n\nLowland: mrVBF > 3;\n\nLow Energy Upland: mrVBF <2.5 AND mrRTF >2.5;\n\nHigh Energy Upland: mrVBF < 2.5 AND mrRTF <= 2.5;\n\nTransitional: mrVBF >=2.5 AND mrVBF<=3.\n\n \n\nThe use of 2.5 and 3 as thresholds is based on the logic of expert opinion only applied to the scales represented in Table 9 with Lowland representing areas with a valley floor exceeding 90m wide. The resulting mapping was then examined and agreed upon by the Technical Advisory Group. Initial comparison with New South Wales River Styles mapping by New South Wales Office of Water for the Tenterfield Creek catchment in the north-eastern corner of New South Wales indicates the ANAE transitional category may be including a high number of streams the New South Wales River Styles program identified as 'upland'. This may indicate our thresholds need to be increased further (e.g. lowland >4, transitional 3.5 to 4). A visual inspection of other areas in New South Wales did not support changing thresholds at this time, but a more rigorous calibration and validation process has not yet been carried out. The New South Wales River Styles data set based on site observations is likely to be a valuable contributor to this process.\n\n \n\nGIS application\n\nThe landform attribute was developed using the 3 sec mrVBF and mrRTF from CSIRO (Table 10)\n\n \n\nLowland: MrVBF_int > 3; \n\nLow Energy Upland: MrVBF_int <= 2 AND MrRTF_int > 2;Lowland\n\nHigh Energy Upland: MrVBF_int <= 2 AND MrRTF_int <= 2;\n\nTransitional: MrVBF_int =3. (there are no values in MrVBF between 3 and 3.5, so this works)\n\n## **Dataset Citation** \n\nBioregional Assessment Programme (2015) Stein Index Classification for Streams National 20150513. Bioregional Assessment Derived Dataset. Viewed 27 November 2017, http://data.bioregionalassessments.gov.au/dataset/8915d14d-7c22-404a-ba11-07f0c25fd177.\n\n## **Dataset Ancestors** \n\n* **Derived From** [Multi-resolution Valley Bottom Flatness MrVBF at three second resolution CSIRO 20000211](https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/7dfc93bb-62f3-40a1-8d39-0c0f27a83cb3)\n\n* **Derived From** [Multi-resolution Ridge Top Flatness at 3 second resolution CSIRO 20000211](https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/d29afa3d-2b3e-41c1-8c3f-e1b2500f16cc)\n\n

Full description

Stein Index Classification for Streams National 20150513 - Data File