3.1 Coastwide Trends
The results of the MK testing and Sen slope estimation of FC concentrations were mapped alongside the developed land use change for each coastal watershed (Figure 4). Results for all stations including τ values, p-values, and β slopes are documented in Table S1. The spatial distribution of τFC varied along the coast with defined areas of similar τFC values. From the most southern coastal area, we observe higher, positive τFC values for stations down estuary of areas with very high proportions of developed change. Within the south-central portion of the coast, we can see more negative τFC values. Farther north, in the area characterized by the large, Albemarle-Pamlico sound which spans SGAs F, G, H, and I, there is a mixture of lower positive and lower negative τFC values. The developed land use change is fairly uniform along a majority of the state’s coastline, with higher proportions of developed land change being located in the watersheds associated with SGA C and E and the most intense increase in proportion of developed land being in central watersheds associated with SGA B.