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Assessment of Region 4 Riparian and Wetland Ecosystems

This assessment evaluates key characteristics of riparian and wetland ecosystems in Region 4, focusing on distribution, water quality, dynamics, and overall condition. The study aims to identify stressors, data gaps, and implications for future management. Results and conclusions help guide forest planning and conservation efforts.

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Assessment of Region 4 Riparian and Wetland Ecosystems

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  1. Assessment of Region 4 Riparian and Wetland Ecosystems Max Smith, Katey Driscoll, Steve Warren, and Deborah Finch

  2. Collaborators Region 4 • Mark Bethke • Georgina Lampman Rocky Mountain Research Station • Kate Dwire • Dave Hawksworth National Forest staff

  3. Process Activities • Mapping, inventory, and assessment Questions answered • What resources are present? • Where are these resources? • Are they within the natural range of variability? Scale and extent • National Forests • Management areas • Landtype associations Time step • Forest plan revision schedule • Assessment revisionand publication

  4. Salmon-Challis National Forest

  5. Key Ecosystem Characteristics • Distribution and connectivity of riparian ecosystems • Distribution of groundwater-dependent ecosystems • Surface and groundwater fluctuations • Water quality • Channel and floodplain dynamics • Spring runout channel dynamics • Composition and condition of riparian ecosystems • Composition and condition of GDEs

  6. Example: Riparian Composition and Condition

  7. Data sources and analyses • LANDFIRE • Riparian Condition Assessment Tool (R-CAT) • Watershed Condition Framework (WCF) • PacFish/InFish Biological Opinion effectiveness monitoring (PIBO) • Best Management Practices monitoring (BMP) • Watershed Monitoring Program (WMP) • Hydro-geomorphic Valley Classification (HGVC)

  8. Indicators • Conifer and upland encroachment (R-CAT) • Replacement by introduced vegetation (R-CAT) • Riparian and wetland condition (WCF) • Native/alien cover (PIBO) • Greenline/ground cover (PIBO) • Wetland index (PIBO) • Qualitative measures (WMP, BMP)

  9. Results

  10. Results

  11. Groundwater and Surface Water Fluctuations

  12. Data Sources and Analysis • Riparian Condition Assessment Tool (R-Cat) • USFS Terrestrial Condition Assessment • Proper Functioning Condition Reports

  13. Indicators • Upland Encroachment • Perennial • Intermittent • Deviation in Winter Temperature • Deviation in Winter Precipitation

  14. Results

  15. Conclusions • Identify primary stressors across the forest • Identify localized secondary stressors • Identify locations with multiple stressors • Identify stressors that tend to occur together • Identify Data Gaps

  16. Implications • Ability to expand the current work • Progressing through Region 4 forest by forest • Method is flexible and adaptable depending on what data are available for each forest • Maintaining and Sharing Information • Publishing as a series of General Technical Reports • Compiling data, photographs, and literature and providing to forests • Opportunities for Collaboration with other forests and other regions • Strengths and Limitations • Directly applicable to Forest Plan Revision • Limited by data and literature that is already available • Lessons Learned • Forest visits, relationship building with on-the-ground folks is critical

  17. Questions?

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