1. DEFINE
WETLAND

2. Wetlands

3. What is a wetland?
It is the transition zone between truly aquatic habitat and terrestrial habitat.
The problem of defining a wetland has become entangled in politics as well as science.
High economic stakes
Very nature of being a transitional zone

4. Wetland Distribution
Currently, estimates indicate about 6.4% of land globally is wetland
Over the past 250 or so years, 53% of US wetlands have been lost due to human activities
Most US wetlands are in Alaska (approx. 70%) with the remainder in the lower 48 states
Of the approx. 42 million acres in the lower 48, about 80% is inland and about 20% is coastal

8. Historically Important
The wetlands of the Carboniferous Period generated most of the fossil fuel upon which we now rely

9. Wetland Characteristics
Shallow water or saturated soils at least at some time during the year
Accumulate slowly decomposing organic matter
Have plants and animals typically adapted to saturated conditions

10. Why are Wetlands Valuable to Environment?
They are purifiers – “kidneys of the landscape”
Prevent floods
Protect shorelines
Recharge aquifers with “purified” water
Important as wildlife habitat
Global climate stabilizers and CO2 absorbers

11. What are the incentives
to preserve wetlands?

12. Economic Benefits Recreational Opportunities Hunting Fishing
Bird watching
Wildlife Photography
Hiking
Boating
Added an estimated $59.5 million to the national economy in 1991.

13. Endangered Species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that up to 43% of the federally threatened and endangered species rely directly or indirectly on wetlands for their survival
Florida
Panther

14. Fines for Destroying Wetlands
The United States Supreme Court recently affirmed the authority of the Army Corps of Engineers to require a permit for “deep ripping” activities. The defendant, Angelo Tsakopoulos, began “deep ripping” his ranch in 1993 without a permit. “Deep ripping” is a farming practice which uses four- to seven-foot prongs to churn the soil behind the tractor and prepare the soil for orchards and vineyards. Many of the areas chosen by Tsakopoulos contained protected swales, sloped wetlands which filter water and minimize erosion. The Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA informed Tsakopoulos that he needed a permit to continue, and when he failed to cease activities, issued an administrative order against him. Tsakopoulos filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California challenging the authority of the Corps and the EPA. Tsakopoulos was fined $500,000 and required to restore four acres of wetlands.

15. Fines for Destroying Wetlands
Neb.USA - Environmental Protection Agency cited two western Nebraska landowners for violating the Clean Water Act.Wayne Hansmeier and the Kingsley Cattle Company are ordered to pay $20,000 and replace lost wetland area.Hansmeier diverted Whitetail Creek, a tributary of the North Platte River.The Kingsley Cattle Company dug a new channel for the creek and filled about 1,200 feet of the creek bed and wetlands in Spring of 2003.

16. What exactly are a Wetland’s Boundaries?
Want to do this just as we have for forests, deserts, grasslands, etc., scientifically
This is called wetlands delineation or wetlands determinations
Determinations - is a wetland present or not
Delineation - where exactly is the boundary

17. The Problems of Defining a Wetland
What if water is only present part of the year?
Not all “wetland organisms” are strictly limited solely to “aquatic” habitats
Wetlands may be large or small and very different because of size or location
Any different wetlands affected differently by outside influences

18. Most definitions will have the following components to some degree or another
Wetlands are distinguished by the “presence” of water either at the surface or in the root zone
Wetlands often have unique soil conditions that differ from adjacent upland soils
Wetlands support vegetation adapted to wet conditions and lack those intolerant of flooding

19. In a nutshell, the main factors are
HYDROLOGY
VEGETATION
SOIL

21. Circular 39
Included a list of 20 types of habitats that would be called wetlands

22. Common Wetland Habitats Around Here
Deepwater swamps
Freshwater marshes
Riparian forested wetlands

23. TIME
FOR
LAB

26. VEGETATION Soil Obligate Fac + Fac Fac –
If 50% or more is Fac or above, then test positive for wetlands
Low chroma = positive indicator for wetlands
Also called glade
Use a Soil Color Book
Taste the soil
Test for reducing conditions