1. Krista Laudenbach-Nelson Watershed Restoration Coordinator
Application of the National Vegetation Classification System (NVCS) for the Delaware Estuary
Krista Laudenbach-Nelson
Watershed Restoration Coordinator

2. Delaware Estuary Watershed
Approx 6,700 miles2 of drainage area
Almost 9.4 million people (2001)
Only Tri-state, Multi-agency NEP
4 eco-regions
35 broader-scale ecological systems
185 natural community types

3. Introduction to the ICEC/USNVC
What the NVCS?
International Classification of Ecological Communities (ICEC)
Hierarchical system of vegetation types
Based on current vegetation structure, composition, succession stage and environmental setting
Standardized
Comprehensive
Hierarchical
hierarchical units allow flexibility of application at different scales and for different purposes
Standardized
standardized units allow comparison across refuge boundaries
standardized units allow for methods and database development
standardized units provide consistency
Comprehensive
Includes all vegetation, including sparsely vegetated habitats, aquatic vegetation, and marine algal beds.
International
Is part of the International Classification of Ecological Communities: upper levels of the hierarchy are based on the UNESCO system developed for mapping vegetation of the globe.

4. How Was the NVCS Developed?
Introduction to the ICEC/USNVC
How Was the NVCS Developed?
Created from existing:
classifications
literature and data
discussions with experts
Evaluated for gaps and weaknesses
Refined through analysis and integration of new data

5. NVCS Hierarchy Class Structure of Vegetation Forest Subclass
Leaf phenology
Deciduous forest
Group
Leaf Types / Climate
Cold-deciduous forest
Subgroup
Relative human impact (natural/semi-natural or cultural)
Natural/Semi-natural cold deciduous forest
Formation
Physiognomic and environmental factors
Temporarily Flooded cold-deciduous forest
Alliance
Dominant/diagnostic species of the uppermost or dominant stratum
Green Ash – American Elm – (Hackberry, Sugarberry)
Temporarily Flooded Forest Alliance
Association
Dominant/diagnostic species from any strata
Green Ash – (Black Walnut, Sycamore) Forest

6. Ecological System
Group of associations that occur together on the ground and are influenced by the same processes
Atlantic
Coastal Plain Northern Dune and Maritime Grassland

7. Introduction to the ICEC/USNVC
Riparian Buffer
Introduction to the ICEC/USNVC
This is a riparian buffer, but what kind? How widespread it is? What
ecological functions does it serve? What kind of habitat does it provide?
Is it healthy or impaired? Where can I find intact examples of this buffer
type? If I were to draft a restoration plan for a riparian buffer, how would
I know what to plant and at what densities?
A riparian buffer is not a classified community type. There might be six
different community types within a riparian corridor. Identifying the type
of community or communities that comprise a riparian buffer is necessary
for restoration. How do we determine what type this is? Luckily, this is a
classified natural community.
It is known in the NVCS as a Green Ash – Mixed Hardwood Floodplain Forest.

8. Estuary Systems
(20%)
(26%)
(6%)
(49%)
The Delaware Estuary currently contains more than 405,000 acres of wetlands, more than 126,000 acres of which are recognized as internationally important.

9. Estuary Communities
23% are at-risk globally 32% are at-risk at the state level

10. Community Crosswalking: NVS-State

11. Introduction to the ICEC/USNVC
Phase II: Mapping
GIS Model Development using NVC data and physical and landscape data layers
Ground Truthing (NJ , PA and NJ 75-90)

12. Phase III: Training and Demonstration Projects

13. Introduction to the ICEC/USNVC
Applications
Site-specific uses:
Inventory of vegetation
Assessment of vegetation
Establish baseline for monitoring change
Plant selection for improved survival
Model how types succeed into others
Guide management decisions for vegetation and for individual species to protect biological integrity, diversity and environmental health
Evaluate status: How rare, stable, fragile is vegetation range-wide?
trends: Is this type declining? How much is left compared to historic conditions?

14. Questions? www.delawareestuary.org knelson@delawareestuary.org
Krista Laudenbach-Nelson Watershed Restoration Coordinator Partnership for the Delaware Estuary One Riverwalk Plaza 110 South Poplar Street, Suite 202 Wilmington, DE 19801
(800) ext. 111