EB – Index – Top 5%

This data layer identifies the areas that have the highest scores for the Environmental Benefits (EB) Index. It was developed by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Natural Resources Research Institute. The EB Index is a composite score of multiple ecological benefits. Its components include soil erosion risk, water quality risk, and wildlife habitat quality. In an effort to identify areas of conservation interest across the state, the land representing the top 5% of EB Index composite scores for most major watersheds has been identified. The scores are a relative ranking across most of the state. This allows users to rank areas of interest using multiple ecological criteria simultaneously. Although it was developed to help identify and rank areas for conservation efforts, the EB Index is useful for many purposes.