Views of the rivers: Representing streamflow of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem

Abstract

The utility of this time-series raster-based graphing technique is not limited to streamflow data; it may be applied to a variety of temporal data. Any type of time-series data collected in intervals such as months to years or minutes to hours may be plotted with this approach. Climatic and transportation data for example are complex datasets well-suited to be plotted as raster images to visualize multi-dimensional properties. In addition, statistical techniques exist for analysis of patterns on the raster hydrographs. Spatial pattern analysis permits quantifiable measurements and delineation of patterns on a raster image. FRAG-STATS, a landscape ecology public domain software application can compute patch-analysis statistics of these temporal graphs. Temporal graphs use coordinates to plot a pixel-based image of variables such as streamflow by applying sound cartographic theory of color schemes and data classification. The technique displays all data points simultaneously providing a powerful static representation and an alternative to map animation. This new pixel -based technique allows for increased visualization of time related factors for a wide variety of data exploration and cartographic representation.