Creating a Unified Mid-Atlantic Rapid Condition Assessment Protocol for Wetlands

Robert Brooks, Hannah Ingram, Michael Nassry, Denice Wardrop, Kirk J. Havens, Kory Angstadt, David Stanhope, Amy Jacobs

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

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 languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationWetland and Stream Rapid Assessments
Subtitle of host publicationDevelopment, Validation, and Application
PublisherElsevier
Pages433-442
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9780128050910
ISBN (Print)9780128050927
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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