Abstract
A Unified Mid-Atlantic Rapid Condition Assessment Protocol was synthesized from three existing state rapid assessment protocols and applied to a spatially balanced sample of wetlands in the Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) of the United States. In 2008 and 2009, two field teams sampled 400 wetland sites across five ecoregions and four states. Data were collected on wetland type, vegetation structure, invasive species, and stressors in the wetland and the surrounding 100-m buffer. Quality assurance audits showed data collection was consistent across field teams and sample years. Riverine wetlands are the dominant type. The majority of wetland sites were scored between high and moderate ecological condition, which should be representative of the population of nontidal freshwater wetlands in the MAR. The primary stressors affecting freshwater wetlands are hydrologic modification, sedimentation, and vegetation alternation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Wetland and Stream Rapid Assessments |
Subtitle of host publication | Development, Validation, and Application |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Pages | 433-442 |
Number of pages | 10 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780128050910 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780128050927 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2018 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- General Earth and Planetary Sciences