Physiographic Environment Classification: a Controlling Factor Classification of Landscape Susceptibility to Waterborne Contaminant Loss

Spatial variation in the landscape factors climate, geomorphology, and lithology cause significant differences in water quality issues even when land use pressures are similar.

The Physiographic Environment Classification (PEC) classifies landscapes based on their susceptibility to the loss of water quality contaminants.

The classification is informed by a conceptual model of the landscape factors that control the hydrochemical maturity of water discharged to streams.