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Research on Effect of Tidal Wetland Condition on the Production of Priority Ecosystem Services
Citation:
Dewitt, T., L. Sharpe, C. Jackson, AND C. Hernandez. Research on Effect of Tidal Wetland Condition on the Production of Priority Ecosystem Services. Briefing to Tillamook National Estuary Program, Garibaldi, OR, July 16, 2019.
Impact/Purpose:
Tidal wetlands provide many amenities, aka ecosystem services, that are valued by people in coastal communities, such as property protection, habitat for charismatic wildlife and fishes, and beautiful viewscapes. However, many wetlands have been destroyed, degraded, or are at risk of damage due to development, pollution, and changing environments. National Estuary Programs, States, EPA and other Federal agencies, and the private sector invest heavily to restore and protect tidal wetlands. But do (or will) those efforts result in restoring the valued ecosystem services? This presentation outlines research to develop methods to assess how the condition of a wetland relates its capacity to produce valued ecosystem goods. We are developing these methods to support assessment of restoration effectiveness and climate adaptation planning.
Description:
Tidal wetlands provide many valued amenities, also known as ecosystem services. However, many wetlands have been destroyed, degraded, or are at risk of damage due to development, pollution, and changing environments. National Estuary Programs, States, EPA and other Federal agencies, and the private sector invest heavily to restore and protect tidal wetlands. But do (or will) those efforts result in restoring the valued ecosystem services? This presentation outlines research to develop methods to assess how the condition of a wetland relates its capacity to produce final ecosystem goods and services (FEGS). The components of this research include reviewing existing assessment methods for wetland condition assessment and ecosystem services, identification of priority FEGS (using planning documents and the FEGS Scoping Tool), identifying endpoints for those priority FEGS and searching for (or developing as necessary) models that relate those endpoints to wetland condition, identifying methods to measure those endpoints, and testing the methodology (endpoint measurement, model assessment) in tidal wetlands in the Pacific northwest. We are developing these methods to support assessment of restoration effectiveness and climate adaptation planning..