Development of Multi-tiered Wetland Assessment Methods for Monitoring Wetland Condition

1. Amy Deller Jacobs DE Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Development of Multi-tiered Wetland Assessment Methods for Monitoring Wetland Condition

2. Delaware Wetland Status and Trends • 54% lost since 1780’s • Most of loss due to ditching and channelization and direct conversion to ag of nontidal wetlands

3. Delaware Wetland Status and Trends • From 1986-1997 there was an 80% reduction in loss from previous decade • From 1982-1992 • Delaware lost • 2000 acres

6. Why Monitor Condition? • Evaluate what functions are being performed and at what level • Determine stressors • Gain information to guide restoration and enhancement • Meet requirements of TMDL lawsuit/ Required under Clean Water Act

7. Multiple Levels of Assessment LEVEL 1 GIS Platform No Fieldwork LEVEL 2 Rapid Assessment Some Fieldwork LEVEL 3 Intensive Field Sampling Level of Effort Increases Level of Detail Decreases

8. Nanticoke Wetland Study

10. Overall Success RatePermission for Access TNC STATE No Contact No Contact 38% 44% 45% 38% Granted Granted 17% 18% Denied Denied N = 446 N = 321

11. Success Rate with ContactExcluding Public Lands N = 227 67% Percent 33%

13. Hydrogeomorphic Models Data Variable Variable Variable Variable Variable Function Function

14. HGM Function Wildlife Habitat (Vdisturb + ((Vtba + Vtden)/2) + Vshrub + Vsnag)/4 Results are between 0 and 1

15. Total Effort 24 man-hours

17. Development of a Rapid Assessment Method Evaluates condition and can distinguish various levels Requires a site visit No detailed data collected Rapid Assessment (Level II)

18. Rapid Assessment (Level II) • Based on HGM models and field experience • Evaluates stressors present at a site • Weights stressors according to their impact on 4 categories (hydrology, habitat, biogeo cycling, and landscape) • Provides one overall score of the condition of the wetland

19. Habitat Category

20. Rapid Assessment (Level II) Total Score (Hydrology/10) + (Hydrology/10)*(Biogeo/10)) + (Habitat/10) + ((Habitat/10)*(Landscape/10))

21. Rapid Assessment (Level II) Current projects • Validating with HGM (level III) • Determining sensitivity of methods • Evaluating transferability to other areas of the state

22. 4 hours/ site 4 person crew 25 days(2 sites/day) 100 person-days Several hours office work 2 hours/ site 2 person crew 12.5 days (4 sites/ day) 25 person-days Minimal office work Comparison of Effort to sample 50 sites Level III Level II

24. Multiple Levels of Assessment LEVEL 1 GIS Platform No Fieldwork LEVEL 2 Rapid Assessment Some Fieldwork LEVEL 3 Intensive Field Sampling Level of Effort Increases Level of Detail Decreases

25. Landscape Level Assessment (I) • Inventory – status and trends • Updated wetland maps • Including HGM modifiers • Provide additional information • Landscape analysis • Inferring condition based on indicators in surrounding landscape

26. Stepwise multiple regression results for flat HGM functions *n=89, p<0.0001 for all models

27. Stepwise multiple regression results for riverine HGM functions *n=54, p<0.0001 for all models

29. Determine Spatial Need to Restore Function Assess loss and condition by subclass Prioritize Restoration and Protection Projects Determine Stressors Monitor to Determine Progress and Reassess Priorities