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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/34184| Title: | Influence of wetland indicator status ratings on the extent of hydrophytic vegetation during wetland delineations |
| Authors: | Photos, Corinna. Lefebvre, Lindsey E. Klein, John. McKernan, Cristina E. Goulet, Jennifer J. Lichvar, Robert |
| Keywords: | Hydric soils NWPL Vegetation Wetland hydrology Wetland plants Wetlands |
| Publisher: | Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.) |
| Series/Report no.: | Technical Report (Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)) ; no. ERDC/CRREL TR-19-19 |
| Abstract: | This study evaluated how far and how often hydrophytic vegetation exceeded the wetland boundary in three U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetland regions. Wetland boundaries were delineated using methods described in the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and appropriate Regional Supplements. Hydrophytic vegetation determinations were made using the Dominance Ratio, the Prevalence Index, and the Hydrophytic Cover Index. Distances and frequencies were tested using nonparametric statistics. Hydrophytic vegetation exceeded the wetland boundary by 5–49 m, in 65% of the upland plots. Differences in distance (p = 0.88) or frequency (p = 0.14) among the three methods were not significant. Most (83%) of the species with hydrophytic ratings occurred in wetland and upland plots, suggesting that NWPL ratings may overestimate wetland frequency in some circumstances. Hydrophytic vegetation determinations in uplands were driven by 38% of FACW and 54% of FAC species, which exhibited an upland abundance greater than or equal to that of wetlands. These data indicate that hydrophytic vegetation is a poor indicator of the wet-land boundary when used without considering hydrology and soils. Periodic review of NWPL ratings is recommended to improve accuracy of delineated boundaries. |
| Description: | Technical Report |
| Gov't Doc #: | ERDC/CRREL TR-19-19 |
| Rights: | Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited |
| URI: | https://hdl.handle.net/11681/34184 http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/34184 |
| Size: | 38 pages / 1.923 Mb |
| Types of Materials: | PDF/A |
| Appears in Collections: | Technical Report |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERDC-CRREL TR-19-19.pdf | 1.97 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |