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Valued Environmental Attributes (VEAs)
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Regional genetic diversity, species diversity
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Regional environmental diversity (i.e., types of habitat)
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Biological integrity/health (e.g., Karrs Index of Biotic Integrity)
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Primary productivity/energy fixation
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Productive capacity of land for agriculture, forestry; soil quantity and quality (e.g., diversity of soil biota)
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Air quality
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Water quality
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Productivity of valued plant or animal species
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Stocks of nonrenewable resources: minerals, metals, fossils fuels, ect.
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Hydrologic functions of landscapes: flood regulation; groundwater recharge; water supply; water filtration; river flows to support aquatic species, irrigation, recreation, transport, power
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Geomorphological functions of landscape: wind and wave buffering; erosion control; sediment retention
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Stability of regional climate: precipitation, temperature, humidity, storms, ect.
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Contaminant/pollutant detoxification, dilution, storage by media (including air, water, soil and sediments) and biota
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Biogeochemical cycling, including eutrophication
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Discrete landscape features valued for aesthetic, cultural, spiritual reasons: particular mountains, waterfalls, etc.
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Habitat for wildlife, including migratory corridors
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Natural pest control
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Wilderness, open space
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Conditions and Changes of Human and Natural Origin
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Winds, oceans currents
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Precipitation, flooding, droughts
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Regional temperatures, humidity
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Hurricanes, tornadoes, dust storms, other extreme weather events
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Solar radiation; cloud cover
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Glaciation, sea ice
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Sea level
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Landform geology; erosion, sedimentation, landslides and land subsidence, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; soil types
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Drainage basins; changes in river flows; groundwater depletion
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Soil erosion, compaction, salinization, and degradation
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Import/export of soil, nutrients, etc., to/from ecosystems; various nonpoint source pollution
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Regional ambient levels of pollutants in media; long-range transport of pollutants in air, water
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Forest and grass fires
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Ecosystem types, land cover/land use types (extent and spatial pattern)
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Distribution of native species and communities; species loss, changes in species range
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Feeding areas, habitats, migration routes of wildlife
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Regional habitat destruction, fragmentation; succession/retrogression
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Distribution, proliferation of exotic species, less desired native species, pests, disease vectors
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