A watershed-based method for environmental vulnerability assessment with a case study of the Mid-Atlantic region

The paper presents a method for environmental vulnerability assessment with a case study of the Mid-Atlantic region. The method is based on the concept of “self-/peer-appraisal” of a watershed in term of vulnerability. The self-/peer-appraisal process is facilitated by two separate linear optimization programs. The analysis provided insights on the environmental conditions, in general, and the relative vulnerability pattern, in particular, of the Mid-Atlantic region. The suggested method offers a simple but effective and objective way to perform a regional environmental vulnerability assessment. Consequently the method can be used in various steps in environmental assessment and planning. ► We present a method for regional environmental vulnerability assessment. ► It is based on the self-/peer-appraisal concept in term of vulnerability. ► The analysis is facilitated by two separate linear optimization programs. ► The method provides insights on the regional relative vulnerability pattern.