WetlandsWetlands

Important and often unappreciated lands.Important and often unappreciated lands.

WetlandsWetlands

What is a wetland?What is a wetland?

It is the transition zone between truly It is the transition zone between truly aquatic habitat and terrestrial habitat.aquatic habitat and terrestrial habitat.

The problem of defining a wetland has The problem of defining a wetland has become entangled in politics as well as become entangled in politics as well as science.science.

High economic stakesHigh economic stakes Very nature of being a transitional zoneVery nature of being a transitional zone

Wetland DistributionWetland Distribution

Currently, estimates indicate about 6.4% of Currently, estimates indicate about 6.4% of land globally is wetlandland globally is wetland

Over the past 250 or so years, 53% of US Over the past 250 or so years, 53% of US wetlands have been lost due to human wetlands have been lost due to human activitiesactivities

Most US wetlands are in Alaska (approx. 70%) Most US wetlands are in Alaska (approx. 70%) with the remainder in the lower 48 stateswith the remainder in the lower 48 states Of the approx. 42 million acres in the lower 48, Of the approx. 42 million acres in the lower 48,

about 80% is inland and about 20% is coastalabout 80% is inland and about 20% is coastal

HistoricallyHistorically

ImportantImportant The wetlands of the Carboniferous The wetlands of the Carboniferous

Period generated most of the fossil fuel Period generated most of the fossil fuel upon which we now relyupon which we now rely

Wetland CharacteristicsWetland Characteristics

1.1. Shallow water or saturated soils at least Shallow water or saturated soils at least at some time during the yearat some time during the year

2.2. Accumulate slowly decomposing Accumulate slowly decomposing organic matterorganic matter

3.3. Have plants and animals typically Have plants and animals typically adapted to saturated conditionsadapted to saturated conditions

Why are Wetlands Why are Wetlands Valuable to Environment?Valuable to Environment?

1.1. They are purifiers – “kidneys of the They are purifiers – “kidneys of the landscape”landscape”

2.2. Prevent floodsPrevent floods3.3. Protect shorelinesProtect shorelines4.4. Recharge aquifers with “purified” waterRecharge aquifers with “purified” water5.5. Important as wildlife habitatImportant as wildlife habitat

6.6. Global climate stabilizers and COGlobal climate stabilizers and CO22 absorbersabsorbers

Economic BenefitsEconomic Benefits

Recreational OpportunitiesRecreational Opportunities HuntingHunting FishingFishing Bird watchingBird watching Wildlife PhotographyWildlife Photography HikingHiking BoatingBoating

Added an estimated $59.5 million to the national economy in Added an estimated $59.5 million to the national economy in 1991.1991.

Endangered SpeciesEndangered Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that up toestimates that up to 43% of the federally 43% of the federally threatened and endangered species rely threatened and endangered species rely directly or indirectly on wetlands for their directly or indirectly on wetlands for their survival survival

Florida

Panther

The United States Supreme Court recently affirmed the authority of the Army Corps of Engineers to require a permit for “deep ripping” activities. The defendant, Angelo Tsakopoulos, began “deep ripping” his ranch in 1993 without a permit. “Deep ripping” is a farming practice which uses four- to seven-foot prongs to churn the soil behind the tractor and prepare the soil for orchards and vineyards. Many of the areas chosen by Tsakopoulos contained protected swales, sloped wetlands which filter water and minimize erosion. The Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA informed Tsakopoulos that he needed a permit to continue, and when he failed to cease activities, issued an administrative order against him. Tsakopoulos filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California challenging the authority of the Corps and the EPA. Tsakopoulos was fined $500,000 and required to restore four acres of wetlands.

Fines for Destroying Fines for Destroying WetlandsWetlands

Fines for Destroying Fines for Destroying WetlandsWetlands

Neb.USA - Environmental Protection Agency Neb.USA - Environmental Protection Agency cited two western Nebraska landowners for cited two western Nebraska landowners for violating the Clean Water Act.Wayne violating the Clean Water Act.Wayne Hansmeier and the Kingsley Cattle Company Hansmeier and the Kingsley Cattle Company are ordered to pay $20,000 and replace lost are ordered to pay $20,000 and replace lost wetland area.Hansmeier diverted Whitetail wetland area.Hansmeier diverted Whitetail Creek, a tributary of the North Platte River.The Creek, a tributary of the North Platte River.The Kingsley Cattle Company dug a new channel Kingsley Cattle Company dug a new channel for the creek and filled about 1,200 feet of the for the creek and filled about 1,200 feet of the creek bed and wetlands in Spring of 2003.creek bed and wetlands in Spring of 2003.

What exactly are a What exactly are a Wetland’s Boundaries?Wetland’s Boundaries?

Want to do this just as we have for forests, Want to do this just as we have for forests, deserts, grasslands, etc., deserts, grasslands, etc., scientificallyscientifically

This is called wetlands delineation or This is called wetlands delineation or wetlands determinationswetlands determinations

Determinations - is a wetland present or notDeterminations - is a wetland present or not Delineation - where exactly is the boundaryDelineation - where exactly is the boundary

The Problems of The Problems of Defining a WetlandDefining a Wetland

1.1. What if water is only present part of the What if water is only present part of the year?year?

2.2. Not all “wetland organisms” are strictly Not all “wetland organisms” are strictly limited solely to “aquatic” habitatslimited solely to “aquatic” habitats

3.3. Wetlands may be large or small and Wetlands may be large or small and very different because of size or very different because of size or locationlocation

4.4. Any different wetlands affected Any different wetlands affected differently by outside influencesdifferently by outside influences

Most definitions will have Most definitions will have the following components the following components to some degree or anotherto some degree or another

1.1. Wetlands are distinguished by the Wetlands are distinguished by the “presence” of water either at the surface or “presence” of water either at the surface or in the root zonein the root zone

2.2. Wetlands often have unique soil conditions Wetlands often have unique soil conditions that differ from adjacent upland soilsthat differ from adjacent upland soils

3.3. Wetlands support vegetation adapted to Wetlands support vegetation adapted to wet conditions and lack those intolerant of wet conditions and lack those intolerant of floodingflooding

In a nutshell, the main In a nutshell, the main factors arefactors are

1.1. HYDROLOGYHYDROLOGY

2.2. VEGETATIONVEGETATION

3.3. SOILSOIL

Circular 39Circular 39

Included a list of 20 types of habitats that Included a list of 20 types of habitats that would be called wetlandswould be called wetlands

Common Wetland Common Wetland Habitats Around HereHabitats Around Here

Deepwater swampsDeepwater swamps

Freshwater marshesFreshwater marshes

Riparian forested wetlandsRiparian forested wetlands