Long Island Sound Study

Area of Focus

General Assessments

Sound Health 2012 provides a snapshot of the environmental health of Long Island Sound. It uses environmental indicators—developed from data collected by research and monitoring programs—to provide insight into whether waters are becoming cleaner, habitats such as wetlands healthier, and natural resources such as fish more abundant. Sound Health 2012 considers both the science of how Long Island Sound functions and the uses of the ecosystem valued by citizens, communities, and businesses.

Indicators

Land Coverage and Population (historic trends in population, forested land, land cover, and impervious cover in the watershed)
Population growth and increased land consumption per household jointly lead to increases in urban and other developed surfaces in watersheds. Increases in population often indicates increased land and resource consumption and reduction in natural and agricultural lands. Changes in land cover can include changes in extent of different types and appearance of new types in a watershed. Forest cover can increase with restoration or afforestation of previously agricultural or barren areas. Impervious cover includes any paved or developed surface that prevents surface water penetration into the ground.