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8/14/2019 Sphagnum Salon

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Steve Hussey, Natural Resources Planner

SJC Conservation District


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What is a Wetland?

Wetlands are lands where saturation of

water is the dominant factor determining

the nature of the soil, and the types ofanimal and plant communities.

Wetlands are transition lands between

terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.


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Do Wetlands Matter?

Wetlands provide breeding and rearinghabitat for many species.

They provide flood protection: They act like giant sponges Dampen peak flows

Pollution Control

Trap sediment Pollutants adhere to wetland soils

Provide phytoremediation


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Classification of Wetlands

Based on the Cowardin System 1979

Adopted by National Fish & Wildlife

Service

Used to create the National Wetlands

Inventory

Describes how the wetland was formed


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Cowardin

Classification


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National

WetlandsInventory


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Waldron Sample


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W.W. Revised Rating System

Rapid tool for evaluating wetlands

Evaluates functions & values

Essential for land use planning

Essential for mitigation


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The 4 Categories

Category I are impossible to replace

Estuarine > 1 acre

National Heritage (habitat)

Bogs

Mature & Old Growth Forests

Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons

Wetlands scoring > 70 points


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Category II Wetlands

Difficult to replace

Estuarine < 1 acre

Interdunal

Wetlands 51 to 69 points


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Category III

Moderate level of functions

Often have been disturbed


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Lopez Class III


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Riverine Wetland


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Category IV

Lowest level of functions

Often heavily disturbed

We should be able to replace them

We should be able to improve them


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How I Learned

to stop worrying and rate wetlands.


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Basic Steps

Locate and identify the wetland Break down into units if needed

Get landowners permission Collect data in the office

Soil maps

Topo/assessor maps Visit the site and complete form

Rate wetland


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Special Criteria Categories

Estuarine

Natural Heritage

Bog

Old Growth Forest

Coastal Lagoon Interdunal

no need to go any further = Class I


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Classify the Wetland

Depressional

Riverine

Lake Fringe

Slope

Flats

Freshwater tidal (< 0.5 ppt salinity)


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Use the Right Form Section

Each section breaks down into 3 parts

Water Quality

Hydrologic

Habitat


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Sample Form Section


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Finally (wake up!)

The system categorizes wetlands, itdoes not assess them or value them.

Local jurisdictions need to decide on thevalue of each category.

Buffers need to be defined primarily

from the habitat score. The delineation is crucial when markingthe buffer.


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Why We Protect Them

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