Freshwater wetlands monitoring and assessment framework for the Northeast Temperate Network

Faber-Langendoen, Don

The Northeast Temperate Network (NETN) of the National Park Service is developing a freshwater wetland monitoring program as part of the overall development of its vital signs monitoring program. This report presents a prototype of a rapid assessment method based on an ecological integrity assessment perspective that is compared with a prototype intensive assessment method. The major components of the rapid assessment proposed include 1) using a standardized classification of wetland types, 2) identifying key ecological attributes and indicators for each wetland type that reflect composition, structure and function, 3) identifying practical metrics with ratings and thresholds based on “normal” or “natural” benchmarks; and 4) providing a reporting scorecard by which the indicators/metrics are rated and integrated into an overall wetland index of ecological integrity (IEI). We compiled a list of 15 indicators/metrics of condition for freshwater wetlands that cover the five major attributes of our wetland conceptual model: landscape context, size, biota, hydrology, and soils/physicochemistry. Each metric is described in full, and protocols are provided for its consistent measurement in the field. Guidance on assessing stressors is also provided. We compared the set of rapid metrics to a possible set of intensive wetland metrics. We developed an index of ecological integrity from these metrics using a scorecard format. The table is structured so that the score for each metric and major attribute is provided along with the overall index. The report is concluded by noting the need for a sampling design and briefly discussing a set of field protocols, topics that extend beyond the scope of this report.

Freshwater wetlands monitoring and assessment framework for the Northeast Temperate Network

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