1. WETLAND VEGETATION Ruth M. Ladd, P.W.S. Policy Analysis and Technical Support Branch U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District

2. Many types of wetlands Swamp (has trees and/or shrubs) Marsh (salt and fresh) Bog

3. Forested swamp

4. Shrub swamp

5. Marsh

6. Wet meadow

7. Coastal Wetlands: Land Under the Ocean

8. Coastal Beach

10. Coastal Dunes

11. Role in identifying wetlands Three parameters of wetlands: hydrology, vegetation, and soils. Hydrology is critical but highly variable. Wetland soils, once developed, are fairly permanent Vegetation provides “clue” of presence or absence or changes in hydrology

12. UPL, FACU, FAC, FACW, OBL? Species vary in their likelihood to be present in or absent from wetlands US Fish and Wildlife Service’s “National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands” lists likelihood of presence in wetlands Morphological adaptations to wet conditions

13. Adventitious roots

14. Shallow root systems

15. Inflated stems and leaves

16. Use of vegetation in delineations Wetland species dominate the wetland Use of plots (upland and wetland) Observations of adaptations Problem situations

17. Vegetation changes: –cut –removed –altered Look at other parameters

18. Conclusion Vegetation is one of the clues to the presence or absence of wetlands Be careful about relying on vegetation exclusively!