Wetlands (OR.WHERE NOT TO DUMP FILL!)
What is a Wetland? The US Army Corps of Engineers and US Environmental Protection Agency define a wetland as: Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.
Let s break that down. Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water Some wetlands are simply concave areas where water lies for a long period of time. Others are fed by ground water through springs.
Let s break that down. at a frequency and duration Not all wetlands are wet all of the time. As a matter of fact, especially in NW PA climates, they are often dry in the late summer months.
Let s break that down. sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. The area is wet enough for long enough to allow wetland plants to grow. Wetland plants have very specific water needs. The wet conditions, along with plant growth, change the soils.
So how can you identify a wetland? The Corps uses the following characteristics to determine if an area is a wetland: Hydrology Soils Vegetation
Hydrology (It s not just standing water ) Army Corps Indicators:
Hydrology: Inundation http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/photos/communities/great%20lakes%20region%20lakeplain%20palustrine%20 Forest/ELM%20%E2%80%93%20ASH%20%E2%80%93%20MAPLE%20LAKEPLAIN%20FOREST_4.jpg http://academic.emporia.edu/aberjame/wetland/define/veget10.jpg
Hydrology: Saturated Upper 12 inches The Squish Factor http://www.soilnet.com/album/people/slides/muddy%20boots%2001.jpg https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/wetlands-of-poster.jpg
Hydrology: Watermarks http://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/wsm/wetlands/images/wetland_trees.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2gdljtioice/ukbnnv6odwi/aaaaaaaaagu/gdb4saom2f8/s1600/img_2161.jpg
Hydrology: Drift Lines Mostly found near streams http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wetlands/images/checklist/checklist_a0801a.jpg https://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/n_resource/wetlands/images/p05pic1.jpg
Hydrology: Sediment Deposits http://forestandrange.org/new_wetlands/images/stained_leaves.jpg http://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/wsm/wetlands/images/silt_stained_leaves.jpg
Hydrology: Water Stained Leaves http://wetlandnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/jwt-cf1149-3862-cw.jpg http://parkerconsults-soils.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/wetland-vegetation-indicator-waterstained-leaves800-300x225.jpg
Soils Army Corps Indicators:
Soils: Sulfuric Odor Does it smell like rotten eggs? Soils that are permanently waterlogged and have sulfidic material produce hydrogen sulfide. http://www.mudomaha.com/sites/default/files/egg4_1.jpg
Soils: Gleyed Color or Low Matrix Chroma Grey color from being saturated for a long period of time Reddish mottles from living roots in a waterlogged soil Photographs from ACOE Delineation Manual
Floodways and Floodplains Floodway: The channel of the watercourse and portions of the adjoining floodplains which are reasonably required to carry and discharge the 100-year frequency flood. If not mapped by FEMA, the floodway is considered to by 50 feet from the top of the stream bank.
Floodways and Floodplains Floodplain: The lands adjoining a river or stream that have been or may be expected to be inundated by flood waters in a 100-year frequency flood.
https://www.douglascountyks.org/sites/default/files/media/depts/zoning-and-codes/png/floodplain-cross-section-image.png https://image.slidesharecdn.com/beecreekfloodplainmanagement-170323210350/95/bee-creek-floodplainmanagement-3-638.jpg?cb=1490303059
Vegetation Common wetland plants in northwestern Pennsylvania (Beyond cattails but they count too!) https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/styles/centered_full/public/media/images/2014/02/cattails_02-04-14.jpg?itok=b8otnuv8
Sedges http://hoffmannursery.com/assets/files/images/carex _lupulina_04.jpg http://www.midwestgroundcovers.com/_cclib/image/p lants/deta2-2144.jpg http://www.michiganflora.net/s pecies_images/m/1333.jpg http://vaplantatlas.org/img/plants/origin als/carex_vulpinoidea%231297b%232_4 00.jpg
Sedges http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/_cclib/image/plants/deta2-598.jpg http://www.spencenursery.com/upload/images/plant_profile_images/carex-tribuloides1.jpg
Sedges https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images- 1000s1000/Cyperaceae/carex-scoparia-tessellata-ha-mlovit.jpg http://www.thismia.com/c/carex_lurida1.jpg
Jewelweed Skunk Cabbage Also called Touch-Me-Nots http://delawarewildflowers.org/images/impatiens_capensis.jpg http://urbanecologycenter.org/images/stories/sk unk%20cabbage%20symplocarpus%20foetidus%2 0colony.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm ons/0/05/skunkcabbage-moss-400x575.jpg
Blunt Spike Rush https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/eleocharispalustrisaspekt.jpg/1200px- EleocharisPalustrisAspekt.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/eleocharis_pal ustris_in_rehovot_vernal_pool.jpg/220px- Eleocharis_palustris_in_Rehovot_vernal_pool.JPG
Blue Flag Iris Soft Rush https://nebula.wsimg.com/obj/nty2nuy4nuq2qj VGRTQwREYyREI6YjAxZDU1YWI4YTdhMTEyZmRiYj lmntzkmtvmzdu3ndi6ojo6oja= https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/common s/4/41/iris_versicolor_3.jpg https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/media/images/juncus-effusus--ole- Husby--CC-BY-SA.jpg https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxonimages-1000s1000/juncaceae/juncuseffusus-in-gmittelhauser.jpg
Sweet Flag Plant looks similar to cattails, but leaves smell sweet when broken http://opendata.keystone-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/acorus-calamus.jpg http://shop.strato.com/webroot/storegb/shops/63126569/4dec/f9ab/cb1e/fa16/1962/ C0A8/2935/9FF7/Acorus-calamus.JPG
False Nettle Horsetail http://www.buyrareseeds.com/img/perennial/falsenettle.jpg http://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/udata/r9ndp23q/pd3/equisetumfluviatile-898539-1.jpg
Arrow Arum Eastern Bur-reed https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/ta xon-images- 1000s1000/Typhaceae/sparganiumeurycarpum-fr-ahaines-b.jpg http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/imgs/512x768/0000_0000/0610/0115.jpeg http://www.onlineplantguide.com/image%20library/s/12 783.jpg
Smartweed Soft Stem Bulrush Duck Potato https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/polyg onum_persicaria.jpg http://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/udata/r9ndp23q/se/sc hoenoplectus-tabernaemontani-stand.jpg https://www.pnwflowers.com/images/plants/0418267.jpg
Pickerelweed Lizard s Tail https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/pontederiaceae/pontederia-cordata-ha-mlovit.jpg http://www.onlineplantguide.com/image%20library/s/12783.jpg
Dark Green Bulrush Deertongue http://www.agrecol.com/assets/images/store%20images/sciatr %206002.jpg http://www.missouriplants.com/gsr/ Scirpus_atrovirens_inflorescence.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-id1heqat0/thhtzitj1ki/aaaaaaaad84/ydtowfnddzu/s1600/panicum%2b4727.jpg
Redtop Panicgrass Woolgrass Turk s Cap Lily https://www.ernstseed.com/wpcontent/uploads/2017/10/redtop-panicgrass-pa-ecotype-3.jpg https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images- 1000s1000/Cyperaceae/scirpus-cyperinus-ha-mlovit.jpg http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/savanna/photos/tu rkcap_lily3.jpg
Swamp Milkweed Nodding Bur Marigold Turtlehead http://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/udata/r9ndp23q/pink/sw amp-milkweed_0710_114616.jpg http://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/bide ns-cernua-6002.jpg https://stwilliamsnursery.com/wpcontent/uploads/2015/05/turtlehead.jpg
Joe Pye Weed Boneset Swamp Sunflower http://www.metroblooms.org/bloomsblog/wpcontent/uploads/2012/01/boneset.jpg http://www.jerseyyards.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/helianthus-angustifoliussw.jpg http://www.missouriplants.com/blueopp/eupatorium_fistulosum _plant.jpg
Sneezeweed Cardinal Flower Great Blue Lobelia http://jimbotany.com/monastery_plants/helenium%20autumnale%20%202011-09- 16.jpg https://www.prairiemoon.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/l obelia-cardinalis-cardinal-flower-main.jpg http://www.actforbays.org/uploads/9/8/5/4/98542398/s898615 442527015449_p17_i1_w775.jpeg
Monkey Flower Blue Vervain Meadowsweet https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images- 1000s1000/Phrymaceae/mimulus-ringens-ha-gmittelhauser-b.jpg https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images- 1000s1000/Verbenaceae/verbena-hastata-fl-dcameron-b.jpg http://wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu/spec_images/bigphoto/spialbval B_NOLL.jpg
Sensitive Fern Cinnamon Fern https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images- 1000s1000/Onocleaceae/onoclea-sensibilis-le-gmittelhauser-d.jpg http://www.casaflora.com/wp-content/uploads/cf-plants/70010.jpg
Sphagnum Moss Nutsedge http://www.kaizenbonsai.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/p /sphagnummoss.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/474x/2b/04/b0/2b04b0e51cb95dd40323b836a7010ed 4--cyperus-esculentus-boutiques.jpg
Barnyard Grass Fowl Mannagrass Riverbank Wild Rye http://www.blumeninschwaben.de/mittelmeerflora/einkeim/poac eae/echinochloa_muricata_bearmeadowsrd_centco_g2_a.jpg https://www.prairiemoon.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/glyce ria-striata-fowl-manna-grass_2_505x705.jpg http://www.agrecol.com/assets/images/store%20images/elyrip%206001.jpg
Purple Loosestrife Phragmites http://https://www.watersidenursery.co.uk/shop/media/catalog/product/cache/1/imag e/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/l/y/lythrumsalicaria_1-lge.jpg http://grotonlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/phragmites-800x600.jpg
Red Maple Black Gum http://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/udata/r9ndp23q/pd3/acer-rubrum-783-2e.jpg https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/cornaceae/nyssa-sylvatica-fr-atal.jpg
Northern White Cedar Sycamore https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images- 1000s1000/Cupressaceae/thuja-occidentalis-le-dkausen.jpg http://www.pfaf.org/admin/plantim ages/thuja-occidentalis.jpg https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images- 1000s1000/Platanaceae/platanus-occidentalis-ba-ahaines-a.jpg https://www.wildflower.org/image_archive/320x 240/ML504/ML504_IMG0085.JPG
Buttonbush Hazel Alder https://courses.missouristate.edu/pbtrewatha/buttonbush2.jpg https://www.coldstreamfarm.net/media/catalog/prod uct/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d2713 6e95/b/u/buttonbush_istock_60990642_large.jpg http://www.carolinanature.com/trees/alse130708.jpg
Swamp Loosestrife Spicebush http://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/udata/r9ndp23q/pd2/decodon-verticillatus-014.jpg https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/lauraceae/lindera-benzoin-fr-cmcdonough-a.jpg
Swamp Rose Winterberry http://1.bp.blogspot.com/- KkkX2CjVZNw/VOze8FRmMEI/AAAAAAAABiM/yyNam0jWm_Y/s1600/Rosa%2Bpalustris%2B2A.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vyehde7r8as/voeaoldsgei/aaaaaaaablc/wz- QsuJ8pkI/s1600/branches%2Bwith%2Bfruit%2B4.JPG
Willows https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/salicaceae/salix-nigra-leahaines.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/salix_alba_leaves.jpg/1200px-salix_alba_leaves.jpg
Dogwoods http://www.carolinanature.com/trees/coam2717.jpg http://www.carolinanature.com/trees/coam1504.jpg http://cdn3.volusion.com/dhfqw.lmwww/v/vspfiles/photos/redosierdog wood-2.jpg?1439207438 https://emswcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/npred-osier-dogwood-f.jpg
Questions?