Wetland Management

Wetlands Premier, underrated, overlooked natural resource Provide habitat to numerous species of plants and animals

Ecological Role Controlling flood Act as a filter for pollutants Add to underground water sources Provide habitat for many species – especially waterfowl and amphibians

Ecological Role Provide recreational use

According to the EPA More than one third of all threatened and endangered species live only in wetlands One half of threatened and endangered species use wetlands at some point in their lives

What are Wetlands? Many types can be found in a variety of habitats across the US Definitions are unclear, it all depends on what group you ask Governmental agencies use several differing definitions

Wetlands Individuals’ and groups’ perspectives and agenda drive what they perceive to be a wetland

Characteristics Three characteristics 1 -Prolonged presence of water – an area whose hydrology includes frequent saturation 2 -Affects how the soil develops and what plants will grow

Plant types that are attracted to these growing conditions are generally called hydrophytes Third – because the soil is subjected to frequent saturation and may have a permanent water table close to the surface, it develops into hydric soils

Hydric soils Tend to be saturated with water most of the time Usually low in air content Colored differently than other soils in the same region Completely different soil structure

Mottled with white or gray coloring May be very yellow Structure may be sticky and wet rather than granular

Definitions U.S. Army Corps of Engineers defines a jurisdictional wetland: An area that has frequent flooding or saturation, is covered by hydrophytes, and includes hydric soils The Corps is responsible for jurisdictional wetlands

Ecological Definition US Fish and Wildlife Service defines a wetland: Lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water.

Ecological Definition The USFWS definition is much broader than the legal definition used by the Corps of Engineers Ecological Wetlands may not have all three characteristics of the jurisdictional wetland

The Corps would not consider a mudflat or a coral reef as a wetland but the USFWS would

History of Wetlands in the US Since the beginning of government in the US wetlands have been perceived as harsh, disgusting places everyone should avoid Considered a problem rather than an asset until the last half of the 1900’s

In the 1770’s the District of Columbia was partially covered by swampland The land was drained and filled in to build the capital

Southern Louisiana is designated as wetlands Citizens felt that building a city on a water crossroads site was important New Orleans is that city

Still surrounded by various types of wetlands Leads to constant problems with flooding Hurricane Katrina

Americans of 1700’s would never consider the Everglades a national treasure Social values change over time

Prior to the 1970’s Government authorized and subsidized draining of wetlands Practice began in 1849 with passage of the Swamp Lands Act for the state of Louisiana Later broadened to cover the entire US

Act gave states permission to fill in and change areas that were “unfit for cultivation” In 1972 the government changed their policy about wetlands Took steps to protect and restore

Requiring permits with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act Protected wetlands and allowed for restoration of degraded wetlands

Farm bill of 1985 and 1990 “Swampbuster Provision” Required farmers to protect wetlands on their farm or ranch to be eligible for USDA farm program benefits

Wetland Identification Two most common techniques Off-site identification On-Site identification

Off-Site Identification Checking maps and wetland inventories Used as a screening device to find possible wetland locations Three principal resources for the landownder

1. USFWS Produces National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) Maps wetlands every ten years NWI is concerned with wetlands and open water in the US

2. National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Survey List Maintains list of hydric soils County by county maps

3. US Geological Topography Maps Look at vegetative cover, surface characteristics, bogs, and marshes Uses specific terminologies What is growing on the land, standing water

On-Site Identification Location will determine what agency is responsible Dredging, filling or discharge – US Army Corps of Engineers Close to a lake or inland water - USFWS

Agricultural lands and non ag lands that border ag lands – NRCS division of USDA On site inspection includes study of plants, soils and water supply

Types of Wetlands Marshes Throughout the US Freshwater, saltwater and tidal Florida Everglades – well known marsh

Floodplains Areas that border rivers, lakes and streams Are flooded periodically Mississippi River floodplain - most well known Last serious flood of MS floodplain was in 1993 – 500 year flood

Ponds May have wetlands around their edges May turn to marsh in times of drought Permanent body of water Not all lakes and ponds are wetlands

Rivers and Streams Not all rivers and streams are wetlands Some may move slow enough to allow certain types of vegetation to take over Slower and warmer water – more prolific plant life becomes

Swamps Types – Cypress, southern bottomland, hardwood, shrub, northern Differs on type of vegetation Same general characteristics of standing water with trees or shrubs growing in the water

Swamps Stagnant water tends to be dark and non translucent Great Dismal and Big Cypress – well known swamps

Bog Very damp, usually with evergreens present, floor covered with moss or peat Spongy walk Most located in the northeast and MI, WI and MN Acid loving plants Cranberries

Prairie Potholes Rely on periodic rainfall ND, SD, MN and NE Critical to water fowl habitat and migration

Vernal Pools May last for only a few months each year Rely on periodic rainfall Haven for amphibian species as they lack predators About 1/3 of all amphibians in the eastern US rely on vernal ponds as breeding sites

Status in the U.S. Estimated that there were over 200 million Acres of wetlands in the US in the 1600’s About half that area remains today

Major Causes-Loss of Wetland Urbanization Industry Agriculture Timber harvest Mining operations

Urbanization Construction of roads, parking lots, and buildings changes runoff patterns Materials carried by the runoff change water quality

Industry Increased water demands Discharge of warm water (thermal pollution) Change pH Pollutants from abandoned industry

Agriculture Draining wetland Encouraged producers not to graze wetlands Wastes contaminate the water

Timber Harvest Loss is only temporary Destruction usually lasts 3-5 years Use of heavy equipment effects the soil structure

Mining Mining of peat moss Used in horticulture industry as a planting medium Removal of vegetation and draining of water

Preservation Annual loss of wetlands 70,000-90,000 acres on non federal lands Amphibian habitat Early indicators of environmental problems

Natural Wetland Protection Most regulations are to prevent destruction of natural wetlands Regulate building of roads bridges and buildings

Construction Natural structures to treat all forms of water pollution Most municipalities use a wetland as a secondary treatment after primary removal of solid waste Wetland construction is less than water treatment facility

Restoration Some industry is required to restore the land Provide habitat for large variety of wildlife including mammals, fish, migratory game birds and waterfowl

Wetland Management Concern of many government and private agencies Private landowners cannot be forced to manage their wetland in any particular way Corps is working to tighten policies regarding wetlands

Personal Management Ideal – Leave the wetland alone Provide a buffer zone around the wetland Restoration may involve removal of non native plants, planting native trees, shrubs and other aquatic plants Create walkways

Other Gov’t Programs Numerous legislative acts to develop and protect wetlands 1972 – Clean Water Act - regulates wetlands of the US