Wetland Mapping – NWI vs. field maps Wetland function by wetland

Wetlands at Devils Postpile National Monument
ƒWetland Mapping – NWI vs. field maps
ƒWetland function by wetland type
ƒWetland condition
ƒPossible responses to threats
Marie Denn, Aquatic Ecologist, National Park Service
Wetlands at Devils Postpile National Monument
Field-mapped wetland types and acreages, NWI omissions
Wetlands at Devils Postpile National Monument
Function Assessment modeled on Tiner 2005
Wetlands at Devils Postpile National Monument
Evaluation with California Rapid Assessment Method
Field-assessment of wetland condition based on:
ƒCondition of surrounding land (buffer)
ƒModification of hydrology
ƒComplexity physical environment
ƒComplexity of biological systems
Wetlands at Devils Postpile National Monument
Example rating criteria: Biotic Complexity
Wetlands at Devils Postpile National Monument
Example rating criteria: Plan View Interspersion
Wetlands at Devils Postpile National Monument
Example of Rating Scores
Wetlands at Devils Postpile National Monument
Condition evaluation with California Rapid Assessment Method
100
90
CRAM Attribute Score
80
70
60
50
40
30
Marsh (palustrine)
River (riverine)
20
Buffer/Landscape
Hydrology
Physical Structure
Wetland Attribute
Biotic Structure
Wetland Condition
Hand Waiving about Responses to Threats
Time
Conclusions
...
Thanks
and acknowledgements:
•Donna Shorrock, Wetlands Field Ecologist Extraordinaire
ƒField mapping can identify substantial errors
•DeannainDulen,
Devils Postpile NM
NWISuperintendent
maps
•Joel Wagner, National Park Service Lead Wetlands Ecologist
ƒCharacterizing wetland function by wetland
•Sylvia Haultain,
Vegetation
Ecologist
Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP
type may
be a useful
landscape-scale
conservation
toolResources Division
•National
Park Service Water
•The 2006 summer staff at Devils Postpile National Monument
ƒWetland condition can be assessed rapidly,
semi-quantitatively, repeatably
ƒExtreme episodic disturbances may degrade
wetlands permanently
Many, many thanks:
•Donna Shorrock, Wetlands Field Ecologist Extraordinaire
•Deanna Dulen, Superintendent Devils Postpile NM
•Joel Wagner, National Park Service Lead Wetlands Ecologist
•Sylvia Haultain, Vegetation Ecologist Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP
•Lorraine Parsons, Wetland Ecologist Point Reyes NS
•National Park Service Water Resources Division
•The 2006 Summer Staff at Devils Postpile National Monument