probabilistic

Advancing EPA Wetland Science: Developing Tools for Quantitative Assessment of
Wetland Function and Condition at the Regional Level

Charles Lane, Ph.D. • US EEA., Of£i<

tee of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Cincinnati OH

Challenge

The EPA Office of Water (OW) lias recognized a critical need for
states and. federal agencies to lie able to quantitatively assess tlie
condition of tke Nation's wetland, resources. This research has
heen identified, as a priority Loth in the Office of Wfetlands,

Oceans, and. Watersheds Top 10 Research Needs list and. in the OW
Framework for Hahitat Science. Currently, greater than 85% of
states, trihes, and. territories are lacking even rudimentary
biological assessment methodologies for wetlands. Additional
important needs identified, include obtaining base line nutrient and.
physical/chemical conditions to aid. in understanding the role of
wetland, systems (isolated, wetlands in particular) in ensuring
aquatic life and beneficial uses of lakes, rivers, and streams in the
watershed.

3 HM

Solution

To address these chalk
Within a region,

Palustrine,
Emergent
Marsh

1)	Develop a probabilistic sampling design that stratifies wetlands
by type and size (also targeting reference conditions);

2)	Collect biotic (macroinvertebrates, macrophytes, and diatoms)
and abiotic (water and soil chemistry) data to estabksk baseline
conditions;

3)	Assess wetland condition with Level 1 (GIS) and Level 2 (rapid
assessment) characterization methods;

4i) Develop metrics and correlate hiotic signature to local and
landscape assessments;

5)	Report on the condition of systems across region and
recommend assessment methods to states and tribes;

6)	Provide means to measure wetland contribution to landscape
nutrient sequestration.

'alustrine,
Forested
Wetland

Palustrine,
Shrub
Scrub

COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS

We are currently planning research to ckvel op a spectral library for
monitoring and assessment of wetlands of the Cuyahoga basin in
Ohio using visual and near infrared spectrometry. In order to
leverage resources, this work involves collaboration with key
personnel from Kenyon College and the Ohio Environmental
Protection Agency, with sample processing by the Wetland
Biogeochemistry Lab at the University of Florida. In addition, a
pilot study is planned in collaboration with EPA. Region IV to
develop assessment methods for isolated wetlands at multiple levels
of effort (GIS, rapid, and biological).

Macrophytes

Macroinvertebrates

Diatoms

Soil:

nutrients and physical
characteristics;

Visual and Near Infrared
Reflectance Spectrometer
(VNIRS) data library

Water:
nutrients and physical
characteristics

Ability to assess biological condition of wetlands using a regional index of hiotic integrity
(IBI) for wetland assessment, based on baseline hiotic data and taxonomic tolerance
information. Possible development of diagnostic relationships using biological data.

Ability to conduct rapid functional assessment of wetland contribution to landscape nutrient
dynamics, based on VNIRS library and baseline soil and water nutrient data not currently

Ability to conduct GIS-based assessment of wetlands, with knowledge of relationship
between rapid and GIS assessments, as well as development of anthropogenic disturb:
gradient.

The research described will provide a region-wide understanding of wetland condition and
contribution to landscape nutrient dynamics. This will contribute to a fuller understanding
of not only wetland condition, but also the use of wetlands in restoration, and the functions
and benefits of wetlands with respect to regional environmental health.

Level 1 GIS Remote Assessment
Level 2 On-Site Rapid Assessment

Collaborative Science
for Environmental Solutions

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