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Identification, characterization and functional assessments of isolated wetlands of the former Soviet Union
Citation:
LANE, C. R., B. C. AUTREY, AND E. Gordov. Identification, characterization and functional assessments of isolated wetlands of the former Soviet Union. Presented at NEEPSI Annual Conference, Krasnoyarsk, RUSSIA, July 13 - 17, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
The EPA Office of Water has recognized a critical need for states and federal agencies to be able to quantitatively assess the condition of the Nation’s wetland resources. Currently, >85% of states, tribes, and territories are lacking even rudimentary biological assessment methodologies for wetlands. Additional important needs identified include obtaining base line nutrient and physical/chemical conditions to aid in understanding the role of wetland systems (isolated wetlands in particular) in ensuring aquatic life and beneficial uses of lakes, rivers, and streams in the watershed. To address these challenges, the following research on isolated wetlands is proposed: Within a region, 1) Develop a probabilistic sampling design that stratifies isolated wetlands by type and size (also targeting reference conditions); 2) Collect biotic data using macroinvertebrates, macrophytes, and diatoms; 3) Collect abiotic (water and soil chemistry) data to establish base line conditions, quantify wetland contribution to landscape nutrient dynamics, and establish a spectral library for future rapid assessment of nutrient sequestration abilities of isolated wetlands; 4) Assess wetland condition with Level 1 (geographic information systems - GIS) and Level 2 (rapid assessment) characterization methods; 5) Develop metrics and correlate biotic signature to local and landscape assessments; 6) Report on the condition of systems across region and recommend assessment methods to states and tribes; 7) Model isolated wetland contribution to landscape nutrient dynamics based on analyses using visual and near-infrared spectrometer (VNIRS) data. Key outputs for regions and states from the proposed research include: tools for remote GIS-based assessment, tools for rapid on-site assessment, and tools for intensive biological assessment of isolated wetlands; comparison between local and landscape assessment measures; functional assessment of isolated wetland contribution to landscape nutrient dynamics (using VNIRS); baseline water and soil physical/chemical conditions; baseline flora and fauna of isolated wetland systems; and a fuller understanding of watershed condition and regional environmental health.
Description:
Poster presentation at NEEPSI annual conference, Krasnoyarsk, Russia, July 13-17, 2009.