Workshop 2: Understanding your wetlands site Identify and learn about your wetland Goals of thi...
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| 33 | stevie |
June 26, 2015 19:00
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Understanding your wetlands siteIdentify and learn about your wetland Goals of this workshop:This workshop will include a site visit to your wetland. There you will document the wetland by identifying the threats to the ecosystem and setting the focus of your monitoring efforts. Estimated time: 2.5 hours What you will need: - Transportation to your wetland site - Field clothes and shoes (wellies/boots) - Clipboards (one for each participant) - Paper (2 per person) - Large chart paper (3 pieces) - Post-its (10 per person) - Markers (1 per person) - Pens - Stopwatch or watch - Dot stickers (1 sheet per person) - Print out of the wiki on Gulf Coast Wetlands Workshop Schedule
Workshop OutlineBelow is the outline for the workshop. Italicized statements can be used as speaking text. Activity 1: Observation (20 min)Facilitator: A lot about working with monitoring is about observation, but not all of observation is about what we can see. Let’s spend a little time working with our senses observing what we can about where we are (Hand out clipboards, paper and pens). For the next 20 minutes we will do an activity that will focus on using our senses to help us with observation. Feel free to move around in this time, but try to do so quietly so everyone can capture their own observations. We will spend two minutes exploring each sense, and then a minute recording observations. I will lead you through the steps: For each below: 2 minutes observe, 1 minutes record what you observed)
Encourage the group to share out what they found (5 min) Activity 2: Identifying our wetland (20 min)There are many different types of wetlands here in the Gulf South. Based on our collected observations we will now explore a little bit about what else is at our wetland site, and characterize our wetland. Lets take a look at a few different types of wetlands we have here and try to classify what type of wetland we have here. (Hand out the wetlands page and have participants decide if they can identify the type of wetland the site is, keep in mind it could be a mix of a few. Once everyone has decided what type of wetland it is, use large chart paper and title it: Title the page “wetland attributes” and the type of wetland that was decided on.) These types or terms are guides to help us figure out what is here and what could be here, but all wetlands are different, so lets take a moment and expand on our observations to include what other things we have here in our site: (As a group, go over the questions below and record group answers on the the large chart paper:)
(10 min) Hand each person a pile of sticky notes and a marker, have people fill in the threats that could fall under the categories and apply to the wetland site and put them on the chart paper. Headers: - Pollution (water quality threats or marine litter) - Invasive species (plants or animals) - Construction - Water flow being tampered or redirected - Sea level rise - Dredging - Other Threats (10 min) Review the threats you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of threats that have been identified. Define the assets of your wetlands: Wetlands also provide both natural and human assets to the ecosystem. Lets define what some of the assets of this wetland are. (10 min) On a new piece of chart paper ask people to define the assets or values they see the wetland having. These can be natural or human. Natural (ie species diversity, habitat protection, flood prevention, pollution control etc.) Human (economic benefits, recreation related, culturally important etc.) (10 min) Review the assets you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of assets that have been identified. Activity 4: Define your problem statement (30 min)(10 min) Hand out three dot stickers to each person. Based on the wetlands assets we defined, and the threats we identified, let’s decide which attributes are most important to protect, and which threats we are most concerned about. To figure this out we will use the sticky dots to pole. Everyone can to put three dots on threat or attributes (3 total). You can use your dots all on one or spread them out across the board. Your dots should represent what you feel is the most pressing threat or most important attribute. (10 min) Participants place dots when everyone is finished tally up the results. (20 min) When people are finished discuss the threat and attribute that received the most dots. Create a problem statement that defines the threat and a statement that identifies the attribute. Subsequent statements can be made to represent the other threats and attributes, but only one should be the main focus. Example: - We believe that the name of wetland site’s largest threat to environmental health is ... - This is largely due to ... - The valuable attribute is ... - Protecting this attribute would require ... - Other threats of this site include ... - Other assets of this site include ... Activity 5: Discuss monitoring options (40 min.)There are several ways to monitor wetlands (refer to the Public Lab wiki to learn more about each monitoring option) - Near Infrared imaging can help you to understand plant health, - Mapping can help monitor for development, flooding, plant change, shoreline migration etc. - Species survey can help you monitor for what plants and animals exists and help you understand the biodiversity of your site. - Water quality monitoring can help you identify and understand how pollutants are affecting your water way. (40 min) Discussion: Let's pick the monitoring strategy that will work for our group: 1) Discuss the problems statement and if it could be addressed with any of the outlined monitoring techniques. 2) Discuss the pros and cons of each monitoring strategy and identify the type of monitoring your group would like to take on. 3) Review your “threats” and “assets” pages to see if other assets or threats could be captured with this monitoring strategy. 4) Identify what will be monitored, and what from your threats and assets will not be monitored. (Record these) 5) Identify the timeframe and regularity it will be important to monitor based on your wetland threats and assets. |
Revert | |
| 32 | stevie |
June 26, 2015 18:58
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Understanding your wetlands siteIdentify and learn about your wetland Goals of this workshop:This workshop will include a site visit to your wetland. There you will document the wetland by identifying the threats to the ecosystem and setting the focus of your monitoring efforts. Estimated time: 2.5 hours What you will need: - Transportation to your wetland site - Field clothes and shoes (wellies/boots) - Clipboards (one for each participant) - Paper (2 per person) - Large chart paper (3 pieces) - Post-its (10 per person) - Markers (1 per person) - Pens - Stopwatch or watch - Dot stickers (1 sheet per person) - Print out of the wiki on Gulf Coast Wetlands Workshop Schedule
Workshop OutlineBelow is the outline for the workshop. Italicized statements can be used as speaking text. Activity 1: Observation (20 min)Facilitator: A lot about working with monitoring is about observation, but not all of observation is about what we can see. Let’s spend a little time working with our senses observing what we can about where we are (Hand out clipboards, paper and pens). For the next 20 minutes we will do an activity that will focus on using our senses to help us with observation. Feel free to move around in this time, but try to do so quietly so everyone can capture their own observations. We will spend two minutes exploring each sense, and then a minute recording observations. I will lead you through the steps: For each below: 2 minutes observe, 1 minutes record what you observed)
Encourage the group to share out what they found (5 min) Activity 2: Identifying our wetland (20 min)There are many different types of wetlands here in the Gulf South. Based on our collected observations we will now explore a little bit about what else is at our wetland site, and characterize our wetland. Lets take a look at a few different types of wetlands we have here and try to classify what type of wetland we have here. (Hand out the wetlands page and have participants decide if they can identify the type of wetland the site is, keep in mind it could be a mix of a few. Once everyone has decided what type of wetland it is, use large chart paper and title it: Title the page “wetland attributes” and the type of wetland that was decided on.) These types or terms are guides to help us figure out what is here and what could be here, but all wetlands are different, so lets take a moment and expand on our observations to include what other things we have here in our site: (As a group, go over the questions below and record group answers on the the large chart paper:) Can we identify any plant species? Can we identify any animals or aquatic life? What can we observe about the built environment in or around our site? (Suggestion: 10 min break)During this break grab a new piece of chart paper and make headers down the side of it for the categories listed on activity 3 below Activity 3: Identifying the threats and assets (40 min)Define the threats to the wetland Threats to wetlands come in many forms, Lets try to characterize the threats that could be on this ecosystem (10 min) Hand each person a pile of sticky notes and a marker, have people fill in the threats that could fall under the categories and apply to the wetland site and put them on the chart paper. Headers: - Pollution (water quality threats or marine litter) - Invasive species (plants or animals) - Construction - Water flow being tampered or redirected - Sea level rise - Dredging - Other Threats (10 min) Review the threats you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of threats that have been identified. Define the assets of your wetlands: Wetlands also provide both natural and human assets to the ecosystem. Lets define what some of the assets of this wetland are. (10 min) On a new piece of chart paper ask people to define the assets or values they see the wetland having. These can be natural or human. Natural (ie species diversity, habitat protection, flood prevention, pollution control etc.) Human (economic benefits, recreation related, culturally important etc.) (10 min) Review the assets you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of assets that have been identified. Activity 4: Define your problem statement (30 min)(10 min) Hand out three dot stickers to each person. Based on the wetlands assets we defined, and the threats we identified, let’s decide which attributes are most important to protect, and which threats we are most concerned about. To figure this out we will use the sticky dots to pole. Everyone can to put three dots on threat or attributes (3 total). You can use your dots all on one or spread them out across the board. Your dots should represent what you feel is the most pressing threat or most important attribute. (10 min) Participants place dots when everyone is finished tally up the results. (20 min) When people are finished discuss the threat and attribute that received the most dots. Create a problem statement that defines the threat and a statement that identifies the attribute. Subsequent statements can be made to represent the other threats and attributes, but only one should be the main focus. Example: - We believe that the name of wetland site’s largest threat to environmental health is ... - This is largely due to ... - The valuable attribute is ... - Protecting this attribute would require ... - Other threats of this site include ... - Other assets of this site include ... Activity 5: Discuss monitoring options (40 min.)There are several ways to monitor wetlands (refer to the Public Lab wiki to learn more about each monitoring option) - Near Infrared imaging can help you to understand plant health, - Mapping can help monitor for development, flooding, plant change, shoreline migration etc. - Species survey can help you monitor for what plants and animals exists and help you understand the biodiversity of your site. - Water quality monitoring can help you identify and understand how pollutants are affecting your water way. (40 min) Discussion: Let's pick the monitoring strategy that will work for our group: 1) Discuss the problems statement and if it could be addressed with any of the outlined monitoring techniques. 2) Discuss the pros and cons of each monitoring strategy and identify the type of monitoring your group would like to take on. 3) Review your “threats” and “assets” pages to see if other assets or threats could be captured with this monitoring strategy. 4) Identify what will be monitored, and what from your threats and assets will not be monitored. (Record these) 5) Identify the timeframe and regularity it will be important to monitor based on your wetland threats and assets. |
Revert | |
| 31 | stevie |
June 26, 2015 18:57
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Understanding your wetlands siteIdentify and learn about your wetland Goals of this workshop:This workshop will include a site visit to your wetland. There you will document the wetland by identifying the threats to the ecosystem and setting the focus of your monitoring efforts. Estimated time: 2.5 hours What you will need: - Transportation to your wetland site - Field clothes and shoes (wellies/boots) - Clipboards (one for each participant) - Paper (2 per person) - Large chart paper (3 pieces) - Post-its (10 per person) - Markers (1 per person) - Pens - Stopwatch or watch - Dot stickers (1 sheet per person) - Print out of the wiki on Gulf Coast Wetlands Workshop Schedule
Workshop OutlineBelow is the outline for the workshop. Italicized statements can be used as speaking text. Activity 1: Observation (20 min)Facilitator: A lot about working with monitoring is about observation, but not all of observation is about what we can see. Let’s spend a little time working with our senses observing what we can about where we are (Hand out clipboards, paper and pens). For the next 20 minutes we will do an activity that will focus on using our senses to help us with observation. Feel free to move around in this time, but try to do so quietly so everyone can capture their own observations. We will spend two minutes exploring each sense, and then a minute recording observations. I will lead you through the steps: Close your eyes and and observe what can you hear. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Close your eyes and and observe what you can smell. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Open your eyes and observe what you can touch. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Open your eyes and observe what you can see. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Encourage the group to share out what they found (5 min) Activity 2: Identifying our wetland (20 min)There are many different types of wetlands here in the Gulf South. Based on our collected observations we will now explore a little bit about what else is at our wetland site, and characterize our wetland. Lets take a look at a few different types of wetlands we have here and try to classify what type of wetland we have here. (Hand out the wetlands page and have participants decide if they can identify the type of wetland the site is, keep in mind it could be a mix of a few. Once everyone has decided what type of wetland it is, use large chart paper and title it: Title the page “wetland attributes” and the type of wetland that was decided on.) These types or terms are guides to help us figure out what is here and what could be here, but all wetlands are different, so lets take a moment and expand on our observations to include what other things we have here in our site: (As a group, go over the questions below and record group answers on the the large chart paper:) Can we identify any plant species? Can we identify any animals or aquatic life? What can we observe about the built environment in or around our site? (Suggestion: 10 min break)During this break grab a new piece of chart paper and make headers down the side of it for the categories listed on activity 3 below Activity 3: Identifying the threats and assets (40 min)Define the threats to the wetland Threats to wetlands come in many forms, Lets try to characterize the threats that could be on this ecosystem (10 min) Hand each person a pile of sticky notes and a marker, have people fill in the threats that could fall under the categories and apply to the wetland site and put them on the chart paper. Headers: - Pollution (water quality threats or marine litter) - Invasive species (plants or animals) - Construction - Water flow being tampered or redirected - Sea level rise - Dredging - Other Threats (10 min) Review the threats you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of threats that have been identified. Define the assets of your wetlands: Wetlands also provide both natural and human assets to the ecosystem. Lets define what some of the assets of this wetland are. (10 min) On a new piece of chart paper ask people to define the assets or values they see the wetland having. These can be natural or human. Natural (ie species diversity, habitat protection, flood prevention, pollution control etc.) Human (economic benefits, recreation related, culturally important etc.) (10 min) Review the assets you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of assets that have been identified. Activity 4: Define your problem statement (30 min)(10 min) Hand out three dot stickers to each person. Based on the wetlands assets we defined, and the threats we identified, let’s decide which attributes are most important to protect, and which threats we are most concerned about. To figure this out we will use the sticky dots to pole. Everyone can to put three dots on threat or attributes (3 total). You can use your dots all on one or spread them out across the board. Your dots should represent what you feel is the most pressing threat or most important attribute. (10 min) Participants place dots when everyone is finished tally up the results. (20 min) When people are finished discuss the threat and attribute that received the most dots. Create a problem statement that defines the threat and a statement that identifies the attribute. Subsequent statements can be made to represent the other threats and attributes, but only one should be the main focus. Example: - We believe that the name of wetland site’s largest threat to environmental health is ... - This is largely due to ... - The valuable attribute is ... - Protecting this attribute would require ... - Other threats of this site include ... - Other assets of this site include ... Activity 5: Discuss monitoring options (40 min.)There are several ways to monitor wetlands (refer to the Public Lab wiki to learn more about each monitoring option) - Near Infrared imaging can help you to understand plant health, - Mapping can help monitor for development, flooding, plant change, shoreline migration etc. - Species survey can help you monitor for what plants and animals exists and help you understand the biodiversity of your site. - Water quality monitoring can help you identify and understand how pollutants are affecting your water way. (40 min) Discussion: Let's pick the monitoring strategy that will work for our group: 1) Discuss the problems statement and if it could be addressed with any of the outlined monitoring techniques. 2) Discuss the pros and cons of each monitoring strategy and identify the type of monitoring your group would like to take on. 3) Review your “threats” and “assets” pages to see if other assets or threats could be captured with this monitoring strategy. 4) Identify what will be monitored, and what from your threats and assets will not be monitored. (Record these) 5) Identify the timeframe and regularity it will be important to monitor based on your wetland threats and assets. |
Revert | |
| 30 | stevie |
June 26, 2015 18:54
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Understanding your wetlands siteIdentify and learn about your wetland Goals of this workshop:This workshop will include a site visit to your wetland. There you will document the wetland by identifying the threats to the ecosystem and setting the focus of your monitoring efforts. Estimated time: 2.5 hours What you will need: - Transportation to your wetland site - Field clothes and shoes (wellies/boots) - Clipboards (one for each participant) - Paper (2 per person) - Large chart paper (3 pieces) - Post-its (10 per person) - Markers (1 per person) - Pens - Stopwatch or watch - Dot stickers (1 sheet per person) - Print out of the wiki on Gulf Coast Wetlands Workshop Schedule
Workshop OutlineBelow is the outline for the workshop. Italicized statements can be used as speaking text. Activity 1: Observation (20 min)Facilitator: A lot about working with monitoring is about observation, but not all of observation is about what we can see. Let’s spend a little time working with our senses observing what we can about where we are (Hand out clipboards, paper and pens). For the next 20 minutes we will do an activity that will focus on using our senses to help us with observation. Feel free to move around in this time, but try to do so quietly so everyone can capture their own observations. We will spend two minutes exploring each sense, and then a minute recording observations. I will lead you through the steps: Close your eyes and and observe what can you hear. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Close your eyes and and observe what you can smell. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Open your eyes and observe what you can touch. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Open your eyes and observe what you can see. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Encourage the group to share out what they found (5 min) Activity 2: Identifying our wetland (20 min)There are many different types of wetlands here in the Gulf South. Based on our collected observations we will now explore a little bit about what else is at our wetland site, and characterize our wetland. Lets take a look at a few different types of wetlands we have here and try to classify what type of wetland we have here. (Hand out the wetlands page and have participants decide if they can identify the type of wetland the site is, keep in mind it could be a mix of a few. Once everyone has decided what type of wetland it is, use large chart paper and title it: Title the page “wetland attributes” and the type of wetland that was decided on.) These types or terms are guides to help us figure out what is here and what could be here, but all wetlands are different, so lets take a moment and expand on our observations to include what other things we have here in our site: (As a group, go over the questions below and record group answers on the the large chart paper:) Can we identify any plant species? Can we identify any animals or aquatic life? What can we observe about the built environment in or around our site? (Suggestion: 10 min break)During this break grab a new piece of chart paper and make headers down the side of it for the categories listed on activity 3 below Activity 3: Identifying the threats and assets (40 min)Define the threats to the wetland Threats to wetlands come in many forms, Lets try to characterize the threats that could be on this ecosystem (10 min) Hand each person a pile of sticky notes and a marker, have people fill in the threats that could fall under the categories and apply to the wetland site and put them on the chart paper. Headers: - Pollution (water quality threats or marine litter) - Invasive species (plants or animals) - Construction - Water flow being tampered or redirected - Sea level rise - Dredging - Other Threats (10 min) Review the threats you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of threats that have been identified. Define the assets of your wetlands: Wetlands also provide both natural and human assets to the ecosystem. Lets define what some of the assets of this wetland are. (10 min) On a new piece of chart paper ask people to define the assets or values they see the wetland having. These can be natural or human. Natural (ie species diversity, habitat protection, flood prevention, pollution control etc.) Human (economic benefits, recreation related, culturally important etc.) (10 min) Review the assets you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of assets that have been identified. Activity 4: Define your problem statement (30 min)(10 min) Hand out three dot stickers to each person. Based on the wetlands assets we defined, and the threats we identified, let’s decide which attributes are most important to protect, and which threats we are most concerned about. To figure this out we will use the sticky dots to pole. Everyone can to put three dots on threat or attributes (3 total). You can use your dots all on one or spread them out across the board. Your dots should represent what you feel is the most pressing threat or most important attribute. (10 min) Participants place dots when everyone is finished tally up the results. (20 min) When people are finished discuss the threat and attribute that received the most dots. Create a problem statement that defines the threat and a statement that identifies the attribute. Subsequent statements can be made to represent the other threats and attributes, but only one should be the main focus. Example: - We believe that the name of wetland site’s largest threat to environmental health is ... - This is largely due to ... - The valuable attribute is ... - Protecting this attribute would require ... - Other threats of this site include ... - Other assets of this site include ... Activity 5: Discuss monitoring options (40 min.)There are several ways to monitor wetlands (refer to the Public Lab wiki to learn more about each monitoring option) - Near Infrared imaging can help you to understand plant health, - Mapping can help monitor for development, flooding, plant change, shoreline migration etc. - Species survey can help you monitor for what plants and animals exists and help you understand the biodiversity of your site. - Water quality monitoring can help you identify and understand how pollutants are affecting your water way. (40 min) Discussion: Let's pick the monitoring strategy that will work for our group: 1) Discuss the problems statement and if it could be addressed with any of the outlined monitoring techniques. 2) Discuss the pros and cons of each monitoring strategy and identify the type of monitoring your group would like to take on. 3) Review your “threats” and “assets” pages to see if other assets or threats could be captured with this monitoring strategy. 4) Identify what will be monitored, and what from your threats and assets will not be monitored. (Record these) 5) Identify the timeframe and regularity it will be important to monitor based on your wetland threats and assets. |
Revert | |
| 29 | stevie |
June 26, 2015 18:52
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Understanding your wetlands siteIdentify and learn about your wetland Goals of this workshop:This workshop will include a site visit to your wetland. There you will document the wetland by identifying the threats to the ecosystem and setting the focus of your monitoring efforts. Estimated time: 2.5 hours What you will need: - Transportation to your wetland site - Field clothes and shoes (wellies/boots) - Clipboards (one for each participant) - Paper (2 per person) - Large chart paper (3 pieces) - Post-its (10 per person) - Markers (1 per person) - Pens - Stopwatch or watch - Dot stickers (1 sheet per person) - Print out of the wiki on Gulf Coast Wetlands Workshop Schedule
Workshop OutlineBelow is the outline for the workshop. Italicized statements can be used as speaking text. Activity 1: Observation (20 min)Facilitator: A lot about working with monitoring is about observation, but not all of observation is about what we can see. Let’s spend a little time working with our senses observing what we can about where we are (Hand out clipboards, paper and pens). For the next 20 minutes we will do an activity that will focus on using our senses to help us with observation. Feel free to move around in this time, but try to do so quietly so everyone can capture their own observations. We will spend two minutes exploring each sense, and then a minute recording observations. I will lead you through the steps: Close your eyes and and observe what can you hear. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Close your eyes and and observe what you can smell. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Open your eyes and observe what you can touch. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Open your eyes and observe what you can see. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Encourage the group to share out what they found (5 min) Activity 2: Identifying our wetland (20 min)There are many different types of wetlands here in the Gulf South. Based on our collected observations we will now explore a little bit about what else is at our wetland site, and characterize our wetland. Lets take a look at a few different types of wetlands we have here and try to classify what type of wetland we have here. (Hand out the wetlands page and have participants decide if they can identify the type of wetland the site is, keep in mind it could be a mix of a few. Once everyone has decided what type of wetland it is, use large chart paper and title it: Title the page “wetland attributes” and the type of wetland that was decided on.) These types or terms are guides to help us figure out what is here and what could be here, but all wetlands are different, so lets take a moment and expand on our observations to include what other things we have here in our site: (As a group, go over the questions below and record group answers on the the large chart paper:) Can we identify any plant species? Can we identify any animals or aquatic life? What can we observe about the built environment in or around our site? (Suggestion: 10 min break)During this break grab a new piece of chart paper and make headers down the side of it for the categories listed on activity 3 below Activity 3: Identifying the threats and assets (40 min)Define the threats to the wetland Threats to wetlands come in many forms, Lets try to characterize the threats that could be on this ecosystem (10 min) Hand each person a pile of sticky notes and a marker, have people fill in the threats that could fall under the categories and apply to the wetland site and put them on the chart paper. Headers: - Pollution (water quality threats or marine litter) - Invasive species (plants or animals) - Construction - Water flow being tampered or redirected - Sea level rise - Dredging - Other Threats (10 min) Review the threats you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of threats that have been identified. Define the assets of your wetlands: Wetlands also provide both natural and human assets to the ecosystem. Lets define what some of the assets of this wetland are. (10 min) On a new piece of chart paper ask people to define the assets or values they see the wetland having. These can be natural or human. Natural (ie species diversity, habitat protection, flood prevention, pollution control etc.) Human (economic benefits, recreation related, culturally important etc.) (10 min) Review the assets you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of assets that have been identified. Activity 4: Define your problem statement (30 min)(10 min) Hand out three dot stickers to each person. Based on the wetlands assets we defined, and the threats we identified, let’s decide which attributes are most important to protect, and which threats we are most concerned about. To figure this out we will use the sticky dots to pole. Everyone can to put three dots on threat or attributes (3 total). You can use your dots all on one or spread them out across the board. Your dots should represent what you feel is the most pressing threat or most important attribute. (10 min) Participants place dots when everyone is finished tally up the results. (20 min) When people are finished discuss the threat and attribute that received the most dots. Create a problem statement that defines the threat and a statement that identifies the attribute. Subsequent statements can be made to represent the other threats and attributes, but only one should be the main focus. Example: - We believe that the name of wetland site’s largest threat to environmental health is ... - This is largely due to ... - The valuable attribute is ... - Protecting this attribute would require ... - Other threats of this site include ... - Other assets of this site include ... Activity 5: Discuss monitoring options (40 min.)There are several ways to monitor wetlands (refer to the Public Lab wiki to learn more about each monitoring option) - Near Infrared imaging can help you to understand plant health, - Mapping can help monitor for development, flooding, plant change, shoreline migration etc. - Species survey can help you monitor for what plants and animals exists and help you understand the biodiversity of your site. - Water quality monitoring can help you identify and understand how pollutants are affecting your water way. (40 min) Discussion: Let's pick the monitoring strategy that will work for our group: 1) Discuss the problems statement and if it could be addressed with any of the outlined monitoring techniques. 2) Discuss the pros and cons of each monitoring strategy and identify the type of monitoring your group would like to take on. 3) Review your “threats” and “assets” pages to see if other assets or threats could be captured with this monitoring strategy. 4) Identify what will be monitored, and what from your threats and assets will not be monitored. (Record these) 5) Identify the timeframe and regularity it will be important to monitor based on your wetland threats and assets. |
Revert | |
| 28 | stevie |
June 26, 2015 18:50
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Understanding your wetlands siteIdentify and learn about your wetland Goals of this workshop:This workshop will include a site visit to your wetland. There you will document the wetland by identifying the threats to the ecosystem and setting the focus of your monitoring efforts. Estimated time: 2.5 hours What you will need: - Transportation to your wetland site - Field clothes and shoes (wellies/boots) - Clipboards (one for each participant) - Paper (2 per person) - Large chart paper (3 pieces) - Post-its (10 per person) - Markers (1 per person) - Pens - Stopwatch or watch - Dot stickers (1 sheet per person) - Print out of the wiki on Gulf Coast Wetlands Workshop Schedule
Workshop OutlineBelow is the outline for the workshop. Italicized statements can be used as speaking text. Activity 1: Observation (20 min)Facilitator: A lot about working with monitoring is about observation, but not all of observation is about what we can see. Let’s spend a little time working with our senses observing what we can about where we are (Hand out clipboards, paper and pens). For the next 20 minutes we will do an activity that will focus on using our senses to help us with observation. Feel free to move around in this time, but try to do so quietly so everyone can capture their own observations. We will spend two minutes exploring each sense, and then a minute recording observations. I will lead you through the steps: Close your eyes and and observe what can you hear. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Close your eyes and and observe what you can smell. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Open your eyes and observe what you can touch. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Open your eyes and observe what you can see. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Encourage the group to share out what they found (5 min) Activity 2: Identifying our wetland (20 min)There are many different types of wetlands here in the Gulf South. Based on our collected observations we will now explore a little bit about what else is at our wetland site, and characterize our wetland. Lets take a look at a few different types of wetlands we have here and try to classify what type of wetland we have here. (Hand out the wetlands page and have participants decide if they can identify the type of wetland the site is, keep in mind it could be a mix of a few. Once everyone has decided what type of wetland it is, use large chart paper and title it: Title the page “wetland attributes” and the type of wetland that was decided on.) These types or terms are guides to help us figure out what is here and what could be here, but all wetlands are different, so lets take a moment and expand on our observations to include what other things we have here in our site: (As a group, go over the questions below and record group answers on the the large chart paper:) Can we identify any plant species? Can we identify any animals or aquatic life? What can we observe about the built environment in or around our site? (Suggestion: 10 min break)During this break grab a new piece of chart paper and make headers down the side of it for the categories listed on activity 3 below Activity 3: Identifying the threats and assets (40 min)Define the threats to the wetland Threats to wetlands come in many forms, Lets try to characterize the threats that could be on this ecosystem (10 min) Hand each person a pile of sticky notes and a marker, have people fill in the threats that could fall under the categories and apply to the wetland site and put them on the chart paper. Headers: - Pollution (water quality threats or marine litter) - Invasive species (plants or animals) - Construction - Water flow being tampered or redirected - Sea level rise - Dredging - Other Threats (10 min) Review the threats you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of threats that have been identified. Define the assets of your wetlands: Wetlands also provide both natural and human assets to the ecosystem. Lets define what some of the assets of this wetland are. (10 min) On a new piece of chart paper ask people to define the assets or values they see the wetland having. These can be natural or human. Natural (ie species diversity, habitat protection, flood prevention, pollution control etc.) Human (economic benefits, recreation related, culturally important etc.) (10 min) Review the assets you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of assets that have been identified. Activity 4: Define your problem statement (30 min)(10 min) Hand out three dot stickers to each person. Based on the wetlands assets we defined, and the threats we identified, let’s decide which attributes are most important to protect, and which threats we are most concerned about. To figure this out we will use the sticky dots to pole. Everyone can to put three dots on threat or attributes (3 total). You can use your dots all on one or spread them out across the board. Your dots should represent what you feel is the most pressing threat or most important attribute. (10 min) Participants place dots when everyone is finished tally up the results. (20 min) When people are finished discuss the threat and attribute that received the most dots. Create a problem statement that defines the threat and a statement that identifies the attribute. Subsequent statements can be made to represent the other threats and attributes, but only one should be the main focus. Example: - We believe that the name of wetland site’s largest threat to environmental health is ... - This is largely due to ... - The valuable attribute is ... - Protecting this attribute would require ... - Other threats of this site include ... - Other assets of this site include ... Activity 5: Discuss monitoring options (40 min.)There are several ways to monitor wetlands (refer to the Public Lab wiki to learn more about each monitoring option) - Near Infrared imaging can help you to understand plant health, - Mapping can help monitor for development, flooding, plant change, shoreline migration etc. - Species survey can help you monitor for what plants and animals exists and help you understand the biodiversity of your site. - Water quality monitoring can help you identify and understand how pollutants are affecting your water way. (40 min) Discussion: Let's pick the monitoring strategy that will work for our group: 1) Discuss the problems statement and if it could be addressed with any of the outlined monitoring techniques. 2) Discuss the pros and cons of each monitoring strategy and identify the type of monitoring your group would like to take on. 3) Review your “threats” and “assets” pages to see if other assets or threats could be captured with this monitoring strategy. 4) Identify what will be monitored, and what from your threats and assets will not be monitored. (Record these) 5) Identify the timeframe and regularity it will be important to monitor based on your wetland threats and assets. |
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| 27 | stevie |
June 26, 2015 18:49
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Understanding your wetlands siteIdentify and learn about your wetland Goals of this workshop:This workshop will include a site visit to your wetland. There you will document the wetland by identifying the threats to the ecosystem and setting the focus of your monitoring efforts. Estimated time: 2.5 hours What you will need: - Transportation to your wetland site - Field clothes and shoes (wellies/boots) - Clipboards (one for each participant) - Paper (2 per person) - Large chart paper (3 pieces) - Post-its (10 per person) - Markers (1 per person) - Pens - Stopwatch or watch - Dot stickers (1 sheet per person) - Print out of the wiki on Gulf Coast Wetlands Workshop Schedule
Workshop OutlineBelow is the outline for the workshop. Italicized statements can be used as speaking text. Activity 1: Observation (20 min)Facilitator: A lot about working with monitoring is about observation, but not all of observation is about what we can see. Let’s spend a little time working with our senses observing what we can about where we are (Hand out clipboards, paper and pens). For the next 20 minutes we will do an activity that will focus on using our senses to help us with observation. Feel free to move around in this time, but try to do so quietly so everyone can capture their own observations. We will spend two minutes exploring each sense, and then a minute recording observations. I will lead you through the steps: Close your eyes and and observe what can you hear. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Close your eyes and and observe what you can smell. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Open your eyes and observe what you can touch. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Open your eyes and observe what you can see. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Encourage the group to share out what they found (5 min) Activity 2: Identifying our wetland (20 min)There are many different types of wetlands here in the Gulf South. Based on our collected observations we will now explore a little bit about what else is at our wetland site, and characterize our wetland. Lets take a look at a few different types of wetlands we have here and try to classify what type of wetland we have here. (Hand out the wetlands page and have participants decide if they can identify the type of wetland the site is, keep in mind it could be a mix of a few. Once everyone has decided what type of wetland it is, use large chart paper and title it: Title the page “wetland attributes” and the type of wetland that was decided on.) These types or terms are guides to help us figure out what is here and what could be here, but all wetlands are different, so lets take a moment and expand on our observations to include what other things we have here in our site: (As a group, go over the questions below and record group answers on the the large chart paper:) Can we identify any plant species? Can we identify any animals or aquatic life? What can we observe about the built environment in or around our site? (Suggestion: 10 min break)During this break grab a new piece of chart paper and make headers down the side of it for the categories listed on activity 3 below Activity 3: Identifying the threats and assets (40 min)Define the threats to the wetland Threats to wetlands come in many forms, Lets try to characterize the threats that could be on this ecosystem (10 min) Hand each person a pile of sticky notes and a marker, have people fill in the threats that could fall under the categories and apply to the wetland site and put them on the chart paper. Headers: - Pollution (water quality threats or marine litter) - Invasive species (plants or animals) - Construction - Water flow being tampered or redirected - Sea level rise - Dredging - Other Threats (10 min) Review the threats you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of threats that have been identified. Define the assets of your wetlands: Wetlands also provide both natural and human assets to the ecosystem. Lets define what some of the assets of this wetland are. (10 min) On a new piece of chart paper ask people to define the assets or values they see the wetland having. These can be natural or human. Natural (ie species diversity, habitat protection, flood prevention, pollution control etc.) Human (economic benefits, recreation related, culturally important etc.) (10 min) Review the assets you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of assets that have been identified. Activity 4: Define your problem statement (30 min)(10 min) Hand out three dot stickers to each person. Based on the wetlands assets we defined, and the threats we identified, let’s decide which attributes are most important to protect, and which threats we are most concerned about. To figure this out we will use the sticky dots to pole. Everyone can to put three dots on threat or attributes (3 total). You can use your dots all on one or spread them out across the board. Your dots should represent what you feel is the most pressing threat or most important attribute. (10 min) Participants place dots when everyone is finished tally up the results. (20 min) When people are finished discuss the threat and attribute that received the most dots. Create a problem statement that defines the threat and a statement that identifies the attribute. Subsequent statements can be made to represent the other threats and attributes, but only one should be the main focus. Example: - We believe that the name of wetland site’s largest threat to environmental health is ... - This is largely due to ... - The valuable attribute is ... - Protecting this attribute would require ... - Other threats of this site include ... - Other assets of this site include ... Activity 5: Discuss monitoring options (40 min.)There are several ways to monitor wetlands (refer to the Public Lab wiki to learn more about each monitoring option) - Near Infrared imaging can help you to understand plant health, - Mapping can help monitor for development, flooding, plant change, shoreline migration etc. - Species survey can help you monitor for what plants and animals exists and help you understand the biodiversity of your site. - Water quality monitoring can help you identify and understand how pollutants are affecting your water way. (40 min) Discussion: Let's pick the monitoring strategy that will work for our group: 1) Discuss the problems statement and if it could be addressed with any of the outlined monitoring techniques. 2) Discuss the pros and cons of each monitoring strategy and identify the type of monitoring your group would like to take on. 3) Review your “threats” and “assets” pages to see if other assets or threats could be captured with this monitoring strategy. 4) Identify what will be monitored, and what from your threats and assets will not be monitored. (Record these) 5) Identify the timeframe and regularity it will be important to monitor based on your wetland threats and assets. |
Revert | |
| 26 | stevie |
June 26, 2015 18:48
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Understanding your wetlands siteIdentify and learn about your wetland Goals of this workshop:This workshop will include a site visit to your wetland. There you will document the wetland by identifying the threats to the ecosystem and setting the focus of your monitoring efforts. Estimated time: 2.5 hours What you will need: - Transportation to your wetland site - Field clothes and shoes (wellies/boots) - Clipboards (one for each participant) - Paper (2 per person) - Large chart paper (3 pieces) - Post-its (10 per person) - Markers (1 per person) - Pens - Stopwatch or watch - Dot stickers (1 sheet per person) - Print out of the wiki on Gulf Coast Wetlands Workshop Schedule
Workshop OutlineBelow is the outline for the workshop. Italicized statements can be used as speaking text. Activity 1: Observation (20 min)Facilitator: A lot about working with monitoring is about observation, but not all of observation is about what we can see. Let’s spend a little time working with our senses observing what we can about where we are (Hand out clipboards, paper and pens). For the next 20 minutes we will do an activity that will focus on using our senses to help us with observation. Feel free to move around in this time, but try to do so quietly so everyone can capture their own observations. We will spend two minutes exploring each sense, and then a minute recording observations. I will lead you through the steps: Close your eyes and and observe what can you hear. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Close your eyes and and observe what you can smell. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Open your eyes and observe what you can touch. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Open your eyes and observe what you can see. (2 minutes) (1 min, record what you observed) Encourage the group to share out what they found (5 min) Activity 2: Identifying our wetland (20 min)There are many different types of wetlands here in the Gulf South. Based on our collected observations we will now explore a little bit about what else is at our wetland site, and characterize our wetland. Lets take a look at a few different types of wetlands we have here and try to classify what type of wetland we have here. (Hand out the wetlands page and have participants decide if they can identify the type of wetland the site is, keep in mind it could be a mix of a few. Once everyone has decided what type of wetland it is, use large chart paper and title it: Title the page “wetland attributes” and the type of wetland that was decided on.) These types or terms are guides to help us figure out what is here and what could be here, but all wetlands are different, so lets take a moment and expand on our observations to include what other things we have here in our site: (As a group, go over the questions below and record group answers on the the large chart paper:) Can we identify any plant species? Can we identify any animals or aquatic life? What can we observe about the built environment in or around our site? (Suggestion: 10 min break)During this break grab a new piece of chart paper and make headers down the side of it for the categories listed on activity 3 below Activity 3: Identifying the threats and assets (40 min)Define the threats to the wetland Threats to wetlands come in many forms, Lets try to characterize the threats that could be on this ecosystem (10 min) Hand each person a pile of sticky notes and a marker, have people fill in the threats that could fall under the categories and apply to the wetland site and put them on the chart paper. Headers: - Pollution (water quality threats or marine litter) - Invasive species (plants or animals) - Construction - Water flow being tampered or redirected - Sea level rise - Dredging - Other Threats (10 min) Review the threats you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of threats that have been identified. Define the assets of your wetlands: Wetlands also provide both natural and human assets to the ecosystem. Lets define what some of the assets of this wetland are. (10 min) On a new piece of chart paper ask people to define the assets or values they see the wetland having. These can be natural or human. Natural (ie species diversity, habitat protection, flood prevention, pollution control etc.) Human (economic benefits, recreation related, culturally important etc.) (10 min) Review the assets you’ve identified together, group them together if there are overlaps. As a group come up with names/titles for the groups of assets that have been identified. Activity 4: Define your problem statement (30 min)(10 min) Hand out three dot stickers to each person. Based on the wetlands assets we defined, and the threats we identified, let’s decide which attributes are most important to protect, and which threats we are most concerned about. To figure this out we will use the sticky dots to pole. Everyone can to put three dots on threat or attributes (3 total). You can use your dots all on one or spread them out across the board. Your dots should represent what you feel is the most pressing threat or most important attribute. (10 min) Participants place dots when everyone is finished tally up the results. (20 min) When people are finished discuss the threat and attribute that received the most dots. Create a problem statement that defines the threat and a statement that identifies the attribute. Subsequent statements can be made to represent the other threats and attributes, but only one should be the main focus. Example: - We believe that the name of wetland site’s largest threat to environmental health is ... - This is largely due to ... - The valuable attribute is ... - Protecting this attribute would require ... - Other threats of this site include ... - Other assets of this site include ... Activity 5: Discuss monitoring options (40 min.)There are several ways to monitor wetlands (refer to the Public Lab wiki to learn more about each monitoring option) - Near Infrared imaging can help you to understand plant health, - Mapping can help monitor for development, flooding, plant change, shoreline migration etc. - Species survey can help you monitor for what plants and animals exists and help you understand the biodiversity of your site. - Water quality monitoring can help you identify and understand how pollutants are affecting your water way. (40 min) Discussion: Let's pick the monitoring strategy that will work for our group: 1) Discuss the problems statement and if it could be addressed with any of the outlined monitoring techniques. 2) Discuss the pros and cons of each monitoring strategy and identify the type of monitoring your group would like to take on. 3) Review your “threats” and “assets” pages to see if other assets or threats could be captured with this monitoring strategy. 4) Identify what will be monitored, and what from your threats and assets will not be monitored. (Record these) 5) Identify the timeframe and regularity it will be important to monitor based on your wetland threats and assets. |
Revert | |
| 25 | stevie |
May 18, 2015 18:50
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Wetlands InformationContributors to this wiki include: Jay McIlwain, Amy LeGaux and Stevie Lewis There are many types of wetlands here in the Gulf Coast. In many places, wetlands are the closest ecosystem to the water’s edge, and can even be found within the boundaries of our urban communities. Global Green has a great resources that helps explain the basics of wetlands, what they are and why they are important. Here on the Gulf Coast, there are specific types of wetlands we find that are rare and unique including emergent marsh and wet pine savanna. Below we will explore some of the characteristics of wetlands found here on the Gulf: Emergent Marsh WetlandCharacteristics: This wetland tends to be at the lowest elevation, closest to the shore of the Gulf. The water is brackish and the species that live there are tolerant to salt water environments. The soil in this ecosystem tends to be silty/clay mixture with organic material and peat. Examples of this wetland: Examples of this wetland can be found in the South Louisiana Bayous. Species: Flora in this ecosystem include Spartina alterniaflora (smooth coordgrass or saltmarsh cordgrass) and Juncus romerianus (balck needlerush). Fauna in this ecosystem include shorebirds, wading birds, pelicans, gulf salt marsh snake, diamondback terrapins and alligators. Ecosystem Functions: This ecosystem is an important nursery for small fish, crabs and oysters. It is also a feeding ground for larger fish. This marsh also acts as a filter absorbing water as it travels up in high tied, or down from the land in runoff from rain events. For human benefits, this marsh is also often cited as protection for our coastal communities from storm surge. It also is highly valued for recreation boating and fishing. Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include sea level rise, dredging, water quality threats from things like marine litter and oil spills, habitat loss from construction and fill in, lack of renourishment from suppressed flooding events and increased wave action from boating, hypoxia caused by agricultural runoff and invasive species such as nutria. More information: http://texaswetlands.org/wetland-types/estuarine-or-tidal-fringe-wetlands/ http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2013/3017/pdf/fs2013-3017.pdf Freshwater MarshCharacteristics: Water in these systems tend to be fresh, the soils are peaty, or on stream edges, sandy soils or clay. Examples of this wetland: An example of this wetland can be found by the coastal bays where freshwater empties into the bay. Species: Flora that can be found in this ecosystem include Cladium jamaicense (sawgrass) Juncus and various rushes. Fauna in this ecosystem include turtles, cotton mouth snakes, king snakes, egrets, herons, wading birds, catfish, bass, bream and raccoons. Ecosystem Functions: This ecosystem acts as a nursery for small fish, it also helps to filter water before it enters the waterway. It acts as a transitional area between uplands and lowlands. Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include water quality threats (runoff from agriculture, roadways and septic tanks), loss of habitat from construction and filling in. It is also threatened by increased sheet flow, or the amount of impervious serves that water runs off into it from. This reduces the natural filtration system and can cause siltation and sediment loading. Litter is also a big problem in this marsh as well as contamination from marine oils and debris. Invasive species in this habitat include apple snails, hematodes, tallow trees and tilapia. More information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32874-freshwater-marsh/freshwater_marsh.pdf Wet Pine SavannaCharacteristics: Wet Pine Savannas are a fire dependent habitat. There is not always standing water in these wetlands, but they have hydrologic soils and act as a filter to lower wetland areas. Examples of this wetland: Wet pine savannas such as those seen at the Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, can be found in the uplands all along the Gulf. Species: Flora that can be found in this ecosystem include wiregrass, Spartina patens (saltmeadow cordgrass), carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants and sundews, and Pinus plustris (longleaf pine). Fauna in wet pine savannas include sandhill cranes, deer and various rodents. Ecosystem Functions: Historically, these savanna’s were used to harvest turpentine. Their timber is also really valuable and they are great habitat for many species. Pressures on this ecosystem: Because it is fire dependent, many of these wetlands are at risk of fire suppression. As many people live in or near this habitat, there tends to be fragmentation of the habitat and the interest to suppress the fire that is needed reduce the fuel load and rejuvenate the wetland. Invasive species in this ecosystem are also a big problem. Tallow trees, cogon grass and camphor trees all threaten this habitat. There are also feral hogs. More Information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32892-western-longleaf-pine-savannah/western_longleaf_pine_savannah.pdf - http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/longleaf-pine-savannas-in-louisiana-and-mississippi-by-latimore-smith-feb1.pdf - http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/placesweprotect/cc-road-savanna-preserve.xml Bottomland Hardwood WetlandCharacteristics: This system is often found near rivers. The water is fresh, but often very tannic. Because it’s near river systems, there tend to be a number of oxbow lakes that can be found supporting this type of ecosystem. Examples of this wetland: An example of this wetland can be seen in Bayou Bienvenue in the lower 9th ward. Species: Species that can be found in this ecosystem include cypress trees, black gum trees and tupelo gum. Ecosystem Functions: Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include construction, water quality threats, hydrologic flow being tampered or redirected, litter and invasive species such as popcorn trees and Japanese climbing fern. More Information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32862-bottomland-hardwood-forest/bottomland_hardwood_forest.pdf - http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/bottomland.cfm - http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/techrpt/81-37.pdf Stormwater restoration wetlandsCharacteristics: This wetland is generally built by people in order to filter stormwater from rain events in urban areas. These wetlands can also sometimes act as rain gardens or bioswales. Examples of this wetland: One example of this wetland is the stormwater wetland site in City Park in New Orleans. Species: Cattails, swamp rose, various marsh grasses. Ecosystem Functions: Built wetlands have many ecosystem functions, they are be used to slow the drainage of water into the water table, to absorb heavy metals and pollutants preventing them from entering our water systems and even in some case, provide habitat. Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this system include, pollution, invasive species and construction. For more wetland type information:http://www.americaswetlandresources.com/wildlife_ecology/plants_animals_ecology/wetlands/TypesofWetlands.html What to monitor for in wetlandsWetland health can be assessed through a number of means: Aerial Mapping can help you gather information about the big picture: 1) understanding and visualizing pressures on the larger ecosystem such as development, flooding etc. 2) vegetation growth 3) shoreline migration Surveys for species types and invasive species are also good things to monitor for in wetlands, 1) Knowing what they are, 2) How many of them there are, 3) If they’re populations are shifting and 4) How they are affecting the rest of the marsh species. Infrared and near infrared photography such as that captured by the infragam camera can help you assess the changes in plant health. Understanding and monitoring for water quality is also good monitoring technique on wetlands. Good water quality is a good indicator of a healthy wetland. Some useful water quality parameters include: 1) Depth 2) Turbidity 3) Temperature 4) Dissolved Oxygen 5) pH 6) Conductivity 7) Nitrates/phosphates More information on water quality parameters can be found here: http://www.watershedcouncil.org/learn/water%20terminology/ Restoring wetlands and restoration sites:Wetland restoration projects can be found all over the US. The major goal behind most restoration projects are to restore wetland habitat function and quality. The same monitoring techniques can be used in restoration sites as current wetlands. More information on wetland restoration: http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/defs.cfm http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/principles.cfm http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/benefits.cfm |
Revert | |
| 24 | stevie |
May 08, 2015 19:58
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Wetlands InformationContributors to this wiki include: Jay McIlwain, Amy LeGaux and Stevie Lewis There are many types of wetlands here in the Gulf Coast. In many places, wetlands are the closest ecosystem to the water’s edge, and can even be found within the boundaries of our urban communities. Global Green has a great resources that helps explain the basics of wetlands, what they are and why they are important. Here on the Gulf Coast, there are specific types of wetlands we find that are rare and unique including emergent marsh and wet pine savanna. Below we will explore some of the characteristics of wetlands found here on the Gulf: Emergent Marsh WetlandCharacteristics: This wetland tends to be at the lowest elevation, closest to the shore of the Gulf. The water is brackish and the species that live there are tolerant to salt water environments. The soil in this ecosystem tends to be silty/clay mixture with organic material and peat. Examples of this wetland: Examples of this wetland can be found in the South Louisiana Bayous. Species: Flora in this ecosystem include Spartina alterniaflora (smooth coordgrass or saltmarsh cordgrass) and Juncus romerianus (balck needlerush). Fauna in this ecosystem include shorebirds, wading birds, pelicans, gulf salt marsh snake, diamondback terrapins and alligators. Ecosystem Functions: This ecosystem is an important nursery for small fish, crabs and oysters. It is also a feeding ground for larger fish. This marsh also acts as a filter absorbing water as it travels up in high tied, or down from the land in runoff from rain events. For human benefits, this marsh is also often cited as protection for our coastal communities from storm surge. It also is highly valued for recreation boating and fishing. Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include sea level rise, dredging, water quality threats from things like marine litter and oil spills, habitat loss from construction and fill in, lack of renourishment from suppressed flooding events and increased wave action from boating, hypoxia caused by agricultural runoff and invasive species such as nutria. More information: http://texaswetlands.org/wetland-types/estuarine-or-tidal-fringe-wetlands/ http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2013/3017/pdf/fs2013-3017.pdf Freshwater MarshCharacteristics: Water in these systems tend to be fresh, the soils are peaty, or on stream edges, sandy soils or clay. Examples of this wetland: An example of this wetland can be found by the coastal bays where freshwater empties into the bay. Species: Flora that can be found in this ecosystem include Cladium jamaicense (sawgrass) Juncus and various rushes. Fauna in this ecosystem include turtles, cotton mouth snakes, king snakes, egrets, herons, wading birds, catfish, bass, bream and raccoons. Ecosystem Functions: This ecosystem acts as a nursery for small fish, it also helps to filter water before it enters the waterway. It acts as a transitional area between uplands and lowlands. Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include water quality threats (runoff from agriculture, roadways and septic tanks), loss of habitat from construction and filling in. It is also threatened by increased sheet flow, or the amount of impervious serves that water runs off into it from. This reduces the natural filtration system and can cause siltation and sediment loading. Litter is also a big problem in this marsh as well as contamination from marine oils and debris. Invasive species in this habitat include apple snails, hematodes, tallow trees and tilapia. More information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32874-freshwater-marsh/freshwater_marsh.pdf Wet Pine SavannaCharacteristics: Wet Pine Savannas are a fire dependent habitat. There is not always standing water in these wetlands, but they have hydrologic soils and act as a filter to lower wetland areas. Examples of this wetland: Wet pine savannas such as those seen at the Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, can be found in the uplands all along the Gulf. Species: Flora that can be found in this ecosystem include wiregrass, Spartina patens (saltmeadow cordgrass), carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants and sundews, and Pinus plustris (longleaf pine). Fauna in wet pine savannas include sandhill cranes, deer and various rodents. Ecosystem Functions: Historically, these savanna’s were used to harvest turpentine. Their timber is also really valuable and they are great habitat for many species. Pressures on this ecosystem: Because it is fire dependent, many of these wetlands are at risk of fire suppression. As many people live in or near this habitat, there tends to be fragmentation of the habitat and the interest to suppress the fire that is needed reduce the fuel load and rejuvenate the wetland. Invasive species in this ecosystem are also a big problem. Tallow trees, cogon grass and camphor trees all threaten this habitat. There are also feral hogs. More Information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32892-western-longleaf-pine-savannah/western_longleaf_pine_savannah.pdf - http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/longleaf-pine-savannas-in-louisiana-and-mississippi-by-latimore-smith-feb1.pdf - http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/placesweprotect/cc-road-savanna-preserve.xml Bottomland Hardwood WetlandCharacteristics: This system is often found near rivers. The water is fresh, but often very tannic. Because it’s near river systems, there tend to be a number of oxbow lakes that can be found supporting this type of ecosystem. Examples of this wetland: An example of this wetland can be seen in Bayou Bienvenue in the lower 9th ward. Species: Species that can be found in this ecosystem include cypress trees, black gum trees and tupelo gum. Ecosystem Functions: Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include construction, water quality threats, hydrologic flow being tampered or redirected, litter and invasive species such as popcorn trees and Japanese climbing fern. More Information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32862-bottomland-hardwood-forest/bottomland_hardwood_forest.pdf - http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/bottomland.cfm - http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/techrpt/81-37.pdf For more wetland type information:http://www.americaswetlandresources.com/wildlife_ecology/plants_animals_ecology/wetlands/TypesofWetlands.html What to monitor for in wetlandsWetland health can be assessed through a number of means: Aerial Mapping can help you gather information about the big picture: 1) understanding and visualizing pressures on the larger ecosystem such as development, flooding etc. 2) vegetation growth 3) shoreline migration Surveys for species types and invasive species are also good things to monitor for in wetlands, 1) Knowing what they are, 2) How many of them there are, 3) If they’re populations are shifting and 4) How they are affecting the rest of the marsh species. Infrared and near infrared photography such as that captured by the infragam camera can help you assess the changes in plant health. Understanding and monitoring for water quality is also good monitoring technique on wetlands. Good water quality is a good indicator of a healthy wetland. Some useful water quality parameters include: 1) Depth 2) Turbidity 3) Temperature 4) Dissolved Oxygen 5) pH 6) Conductivity 7) Nitrates/phosphates More information on water quality parameters can be found here: http://www.watershedcouncil.org/learn/water%20terminology/ Restoring wetlands and restoration sites:Wetland restoration projects can be found all over the US. The major goal behind most restoration projects are to restore wetland habitat function and quality. The same monitoring techniques can be used in restoration sites as current wetlands. More information on wetland restoration: http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/defs.cfm http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/principles.cfm http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/benefits.cfm |
Revert | |
| 23 | stevie |
May 08, 2015 15:48
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Wetlands InformationContributors to this wiki include: Jay McIlwain, Amy LeGaux and Stevie Lewis There are many types of wetlands here in the Gulf Coast. In many places, wetlands are the closest ecosystem to the water’s edge, and can even be found within the boundaries of our urban communities. Global Green has a great resources that helps explain the basics of wetlands, what they are and why they are important. Here on the Gulf Coast, there are specific types of wetlands we find that are rare and unique including emergent marsh and wet pine savanna. Below we will explore some of the characteristics of wetlands found here on the Gulf: Emergent Marsh WetlandCharacteristics: This wetland tends to be at the lowest elevation, closest to the shore of the Gulf. The water is brackish and the species that live there are tolerant to salt water environments. The soil in this ecosystem tends to be silty/clay mixture with organic material and peat. Examples of this wetland: Examples of this wetland can be found in the South Louisiana Bayous. Species: Flora in this ecosystem include Spartina alterniaflora (smooth coordgrass or saltmarsh cordgrass) and Juncus romerianus (balck needlerush). Fauna in this ecosystem include shorebirds, wading birds, pelicans, gulf salt marsh snake, diamondback terrapins and alligators. Ecosystem Functions: This ecosystem is an important nursery for small fish, crabs and oysters. It is also a feeding ground for larger fish. This marsh also acts as a filter absorbing water as it travels up in high tied, or down from the land in runoff from rain events. For human benefits, this marsh is also often cited as protection for our coastal communities from storm surge. It also is highly valued for recreation boating and fishing. Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include sea level rise, dredging, water quality threats from things like marine litter and oil spills, habitat loss from construction and fill in, lack of renourishment from suppressed flooding events and increased wave action from boating, hypoxia caused by agricultural runoff and invasive species such as nutria. More information: http://texaswetlands.org/wetland-types/estuarine-or-tidal-fringe-wetlands/ http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2013/3017/pdf/fs2013-3017.pdf Freshwater MarshCharacteristics: Water in these systems tend to be fresh, the soils are peaty, or on stream edges, sandy soils or clay. Examples of this wetland: An example of this wetland can be found by the coastal bays where freshwater empties into the bay. Species: Flora that can be found in this ecosystem include Cladium jamaicense (sawgrass) Juncus and various rushes. Fauna in this ecosystem include turtles, cotton mouth snakes, king snakes, egrets, herons, wading birds, catfish, bass, bream and raccoons. Ecosystem Functions: This ecosystem acts as a nursery for small fish, it also helps to filter water before it enters the waterway. It acts as a transitional area between uplands and lowlands. Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include water quality threats (runoff from agriculture, roadways and septic tanks), loss of habitat from construction and filling in. It is also threatened by increased sheet flow, or the amount of impervious serves that water runs off into it from. This reduces the natural filtration system and can cause siltation and sediment loading. Litter is also a big problem in this marsh as well as contamination from marine oils and debris. Invasive species in this habitat include apple snails, hematodes, tallow trees and tilapia. More information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32874-freshwater-marsh/freshwater_marsh.pdf Wet Pine SavannaCharacteristics: Wet Pine Savannas are a fire dependent habitat. There is not always standing water in these wetlands, but they have hydrologic soils and act as a filter to lower wetland areas. Examples of this wetland: Wet pine savannas such as those seen at the Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, can be found in the uplands all along the Gulf. Species: Flora that can be found in this ecosystem include wiregrass, Spartina patens (saltmeadow cordgrass), carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants and sundews, and Pinus plustris (longleaf pine). Fauna in wet pine savannas include sandhill cranes, deer and various rodents. Ecosystem Functions: Historically, these savanna’s were used to harvest turpentine. Their timber is also really valuable and they are great habitat for many species. Pressures on this ecosystem: Because it is fire dependent, many of these wetlands are at risk of fire suppression. As many people live in or near this habitat, there tends to be fragmentation of the habitat and the interest to suppress the fire that is needed reduce the fuel load and rejuvenate the wetland. Invasive species in this ecosystem are also a big problem. Tallow trees, cogon grass and camphor trees all threaten this habitat. There are also feral hogs. More Information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32892-western-longleaf-pine-savannah/western_longleaf_pine_savannah.pdf - http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/longleaf-pine-savannas-in-louisiana-and-mississippi-by-latimore-smith-feb1.pdf - http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/placesweprotect/cc-road-savanna-preserve.xml Bottomland Hardwood WetlandCharacteristics: This system is often found near rivers. The water is fresh, but often very tannic. Because it’s near river systems, there tend to be a number of oxbow lakes that can be found supporting this type of ecosystem. Examples of this wetland: An example of this wetland can be seen in Bayou Bienvenue in the lower 9th ward. Species: Species that can be found in this ecosystem include cypress trees, black gum trees and tupelo gum. Ecosystem Functions: Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include construction, water quality threats, hydrologic flow being tampered or redirected, litter and invasive species such as popcorn trees and Japanese climbing fern. More Information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32862-bottomland-hardwood-forest/bottomland_hardwood_forest.pdf - http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/bottomland.cfm - http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/techrpt/81-37.pdf For more wetland type information:http://www.americaswetlandresources.com/wildlife_ecology/plants_animals_ecology/wetlands/TypesofWetlands.html What to monitor for in wetlandsWetland health can be assessed through a number of means: Aerial Mapping can help you gather information about the big picture: 1) understanding and visualizing pressures on the larger ecosystem such as development, flooding etc. 2) vegetation growth 3) shoreline migration Surveys for species types and invasive species are also good things to monitor for in wetlands, 1) Knowing what they are, 2) How many of them there are, 3) If they’re populations are shifting and 4) How they are affecting the rest of the marsh species. Infrared and near infrared photography such as that captured by the infragam camera can help you assess the changes in plant health. Understanding and monitoring for water quality is also good monitoring technique on wetlands. Good water quality is a good indicator of a healthy wetland. Some useful water quality parameters include: 1) Depth 2) Turbidity 3) Temperature 4) Dissolved Oxygen 5) pH 6) Conductivity 7) Nitrates/phosphates More information on water quality parameters can be found here: http://www.watershedcouncil.org/learn/water%20terminology/ Restoring wetlands and restoration sites:Wetland restoration projects can be found all over the US. The major goal behind most restoration projects are to restore wetland habitat function and quality. The same monitoring techniques can be used in restoration sites as current wetlands. More information on wetland restoration: http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/defs.cfm http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/principles.cfm http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/benefits.cfm |
Revert | |
| 22 | stevie |
May 08, 2015 15:38
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Wetlands InformationContributors to this wiki include: Jay McIlwain, Amy LeGaux and Stevie Lewis There are many types of wetlands here in the Gulf Coast. In many places, wetlands are the closest ecosystem to the water’s edge, and can even be found within the boundaries of our urban communities. Global Green has a great resources that helps explain the basics of wetlands, what they are and why they are important. Here on the Gulf Coast, there are specific types of wetlands we find that are rare and unique including emergent marsh and wet pine savanna. Below we will explore some of the characteristics of wetlands found here on the Gulf: Emergent Marsh WetlandCharacteristics: This wetland tends to be at the lowest elevation, closest to the shore of the Gulf. The water is brackish and the species that live there are tolerant to salt water environments. The soil in this ecosystem tends to be silty/clay mixture with organic material and peat. Examples of this wetland: Examples of this wetland can be found in the South Louisiana Bayous. Species: Flora in this ecosystem include Spartina alterniaflora (smooth coordgrass or saltmarsh cordgrass) and Juncus romerianus (balck needlerush). Fauna in this ecosystem include shorebirds, wading birds, pelicans, gulf salt marsh snake, diamondback terrapins and alligators. Ecosystem Functions: This ecosystem is an important nursery for small fish, crabs and oysters. It is also a feeding ground for larger fish. This marsh also acts as a filter absorbing water as it travels up in high tied, or down from the land in runoff from rain events. For human benefits, this marsh is also often cited as protection for our coastal communities from storm surge. It also is highly valued for recreation boating and fishing. Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include sea level rise, dredging, water quality threats from things like marine litter and oil spills, habitat loss from construction and fill in, lack of renourishment from suppressed flooding events and increased wave action from boating, hypoxia caused by agricultural runoff and invasive species such as nutria. More information: http://texaswetlands.org/wetland-types/estuarine-or-tidal-fringe-wetlands/ http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2013/3017/pdf/fs2013-3017.pdf Freshwater MarshCharacteristics: Water in these systems tend to be fresh, the soils are peaty, or on stream edges, sandy soils or clay. Examples of this wetland: An example of this wetland can be found by the coastal bays where freshwater empties into the bay. Species: Flora that can be found in this ecosystem include Cladium jamaicense (sawgrass) Juncus and various rushes. Fauna in this ecosystem include turtles, cotton mouth snakes, king snakes, egrets, herons, wading birds, catfish, bass, bream and raccoons. Ecosystem Functions: This ecosystem acts as a nursery for small fish, it also helps to filter water before it enters the waterway. It acts as a transitional area between uplands and lowlands. Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include water quality threats (runoff from agriculture, roadways and septic tanks), loss of habitat from construction and filling in. It is also threatened by increased sheet flow, or the amount of impervious serves that water runs off into it from. This reduces the natural filtration system and can cause siltation and sediment loading. Litter is also a big problem in this marsh as well as contamination from marine oils and debris. Invasive species in this habitat include apple snails, hematodes, tallow trees and tilapia. More information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32874-freshwater-marsh/freshwater_marsh.pdf Wet Pine SavannaCharacteristics: Wet Pine Savannas are a fire dependent habitat. There is not always standing water in these wetlands, but they have hydrologic soils and act as a filter to lower wetland areas. Examples of this wetland: Wet pine savannas such as those seen at the Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, can be found in the uplands all along the Gulf. Species: Flora that can be found in this ecosystem include wiregrass, Spartina patens (saltmeadow cordgrass), carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants and sundews, and Pinus plustris (longleaf pine). Fauna in wet pine savannas include sandhill cranes, deer and various rodents. Ecosystem Functions: Historically, these savanna’s were used to harvest turpentine. Their timber is also really valuable and they are great habitat for many species. Pressures on this ecosystem: Because it is fire dependent, many of these wetlands are at risk of fire suppression. As many people live in or near this habitat, there tends to be fragmentation of the habitat and the interest to suppress the fire that is needed reduce the fuel load and rejuvenate the wetland. Invasive species in this ecosystem are also a big problem. Tallow trees, cogon grass and camphor trees all threaten this habitat. There are also feral hogs. More Information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32892-western-longleaf-pine-savannah/western_longleaf_pine_savannah.pdf - http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/longleaf-pine-savannas-in-louisiana-and-mississippi-by-latimore-smith-feb1.pdf - http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/placesweprotect/cc-road-savanna-preserve.xml Bottomland Hardwood WetlandCharacteristics: This system is often found near rivers. The water is fresh, but often very tannic. Because it’s near river systems, there tend to be a number of oxbow lakes that can be found supporting this type of ecosystem. Examples of this wetland: An example of this wetland can be seen in Bayou Bienvenue in the lower 9th ward. Species: Species that can be found in this ecosystem include cypress trees, black gum trees and tupelo gum. Ecosystem Functions: Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include construction, water quality threats, hydrologic flow being tampered or redirected, litter and invasive species such as popcorn trees and Japanese climbing fern. More Information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32862-bottomland-hardwood-forest/bottomland_hardwood_forest.pdf - http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/bottomland.cfm - http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/techrpt/81-37.pdf For more wetland type information:http://www.americaswetlandresources.com/wildlife_ecology/plants_animals_ecology/wetlands/TypesofWetlands.html What to monitor for in wetlandsWetland health can be assessed through a number of means: Aerial Mapping can help you gather information about the big picture: 1) understanding and visualizing pressures on the larger ecosystem such as development, flooding etc. 2) vegetation growth 3) shoreline migration Surveys for species types and invasive species are also good things to monitor for in wetlands, 1) Knowing what they are, 2) How many of them there are, 3) If they’re populations are shifting and 4) How they are affecting the rest of the marsh species. Infrared and near infrared photography such as that captured by the infragam camera can help you assess the changes in plant health. Understanding and monitoring for water quality is also good monitoring technique on wetlands. Good water quality is a good indicator of a healthy wetland. Some useful water quality parameters include: 1) Depth 2) Turbidity 3) Temperature 4) Dissolved Oxygen 5) pH 6) Conductivity 7) Nitrates/phosphates More information on water quality parameters can be found here: http://www.watershedcouncil.org/learn/water%20terminology/ Restoring wetlands and restoration sites:Wetland restoration projects can be found all over the US. The major goal behind most restoration projects are to restore wetland habitat function and quality. The same monitoring techniques can be used in restoration sites as current wetlands. More information on wetland restoration: http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/defs.cfm http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/principles.cfm http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/benefits.cfm |
Revert | |
| 21 | stevie |
May 08, 2015 15:36
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Wetlands InformationContributors to this wiki include: Jay McIlwain, Amy LeGaux and Stevie Lewis There are many types of wetlands here in the Gulf Coast. In many places, wetlands are the closest ecosystem to the water’s edge, and can even be found within the boundaries of our urban communities. Global Green has a great resources that helps explain the basics of wetlands, what they are and why they are important. Here on the Gulf Coast, there are specific types of wetlands we find that are rare and unique including emergent marsh and wet pine savanna. Below we will explore some of the characteristics of wetlands found here on the Gulf: Emergent Marsh WetlandCharacteristics: This wetland tends to be at the lowest elevation, closest to the shore of the Gulf. The water is brackish and the species that live there are tolerant to salt water environments. The soil in this ecosystem tends to be silty/clay mixture with organic material and peat. Examples of this wetland: Examples of this wetland can be found in the South Louisiana Bayous. Species: Flora in this ecosystem include Spartina alterniaflora (smooth coordgrass or saltmarsh cordgrass) and Juncus romerianus (balck needlerush). Fauna in this ecosystem include shorebirds, wading birds, pelicans, gulf salt marsh snake, diamondback terrapins and alligators. Ecosystem Functions: This ecosystem is an important nursery for small fish, crabs and oysters. It is also a feeding ground for larger fish. This marsh also acts as a filter absorbing water as it travels up in high tied, or down from the land in runoff from rain events. For human benefits, this marsh is also often cited as protection for our coastal communities from storm surge. It also is highly valued for recreation boating and fishing. Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include sea level rise, dredging, water quality threats from things like marine litter and oil spills, habitat loss from construction and fill in, lack of renourishment from suppressed flooding events and increased wave action from boating, hypoxia caused by agricultural runoff and invasive species such as nutria. More information: http://texaswetlands.org/wetland-types/estuarine-or-tidal-fringe-wetlands/ http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2013/3017/pdf/fs2013-3017.pdf Freshwater MarshCharacteristics: Water in these systems tend to be fresh, the soils are peaty, or on stream edges, sandy soils or clay. Examples of this wetland: An example of this wetland can be found by the coastal bays where freshwater empties into the bay. Species: Flora that can be found in this ecosystem include Cladium jamaicense (sawgrass) Juncus and various rushes. Fauna in this ecosystem include turtles, cotton mouth snakes, king snakes, egrets, herons, wading birds, catfish, bass, bream and raccoons. Ecosystem Functions: This ecosystem acts as a nursery for small fish, it also helps to filter water before it enters the waterway. It acts as a transitional area between uplands and lowlands. Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include water quality threats (runoff from agriculture, roadways and septic tanks), loss of habitat from construction and filling in. It is also threatened by increased sheet flow, or the amount of impervious serves that water runs off into it from. This reduces the natural filtration system and can cause siltation and sediment loading. Litter is also a big problem in this marsh as well as contamination from marine oils and debris. Invasive species in this habitat include apple snails, hematodes, tallow trees and tilapia. More information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32874-freshwater-marsh/freshwater_marsh.pdf Wet Pine SavannaCharacteristics: Wet Pine Savannas are a fire dependent habitat. There is not always standing water in these wetlands, but they have hydrologic soils and act as a filter to lower wetland areas. Examples of this wetland: Wet pine savannas such as those seen at the Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, can be found in the uplands all along the Gulf. Species: Flora that can be found in this ecosystem include wiregrass, Spartina patens (saltmeadow cordgrass), carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants and sundews, and Pinus plustris (longleaf pine). Fauna in wet pine savannas include sandhill cranes, deer and various rodents. Ecosystem Functions: Historically, these savanna’s were used to harvest turpentine. Their timber is also really valuable and they are great habitat for many species. Pressures on this ecosystem: Because it is fire dependent, many of these wetlands are at risk of fire suppression. As many people live in or near this habitat, there tends to be fragmentation of the habitat and the interest to suppress the fire that is needed reduce the fuel load and rejuvenate the wetland. Invasive species in this ecosystem are also a big problem. Tallow trees, cogon grass and camphor trees all threaten this habitat. There are also feral hogs. More Information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32892-western-longleaf-pine-savannah/western_longleaf_pine_savannah.pdf - http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/longleaf-pine-savannas-in-louisiana-and-mississippi-by-latimore-smith-feb1.pdf - http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/placesweprotect/cc-road-savanna-preserve.xml Bottomland Hardwood WetlandCharacteristics: This system is often found near rivers. The water is fresh, but often very tannic. Because it’s near river systems, there tend to be a number of oxbow lakes that can be found supporting this type of ecosystem. Examples of this wetland: An example of this wetland can be seen in Bayou Bienvenue in the lower 9th ward. Species: Species that can be found in this ecosystem include cypress trees, black gum trees and tupelo gum. Ecosystem Functions: Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include construction, water quality threats, hydrologic flow being tampered or redirected, litter and invasive species such as popcorn trees and Japanese climbing fern. More Information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32862-bottomland-hardwood-forest/bottomland_hardwood_forest.pdf - http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/bottomland.cfm - http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/techrpt/81-37.pdf For more wetland type information:http://www.americaswetlandresources.com/wildlife_ecology/plants_animals_ecology/wetlands/TypesofWetlands.html What to monitor for in wetlandsWetland health can be assessed through a number of means: Aerial Mapping can help you gather information about the big picture: 1) understanding and visualizing pressures on the larger ecosystem such as development, flooding etc. 2) vegetation growth 3) shoreline migration Surveys for species types and invasive species are also good things to monitor for in wetlands, 1) Knowing what they are, 2) How many of them there are, 3) If they’re populations are shifting and 4) How they are affecting the rest of the marsh species. Infrared and near infrared photography such as that captured by the infragam camera can help you assess the changes in plant health. Understanding and monitoring for water quality is also good monitoring technique on wetlands. Good water quality is a good indicator of a healthy wetland. Some useful water quality parameters include: 1) Depth 2) Turbidity 3) Temperature 4) Dissolved Oxygen 5) pH 6) Conductivity 7) Nitrates/phosphates More information on water quality parameters can be found here: http://www.watershedcouncil.org/learn/water%20terminology/ Restoring wetlands and restoration sites:Wetland restoration projects can be found all over the US. The major goal behind most restoration projects are to restore wetland habitat function and quality. The same monitoring techniques can be used in restoration sites as current wetlands. More information on wetland restoration: http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/defs.cfm http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/principles.cfm benefits of restoration (http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/benefits.cfm) |
Revert | |
| 20 | stevie |
May 08, 2015 15:34
| over 9 years ago
Workshop 2: Wetlands InformationContributors to this wiki include: Jay McIlwain, Amy LeGaux and Stevie Lewis There are many types of wetlands here in the Gulf Coast. In many places, wetlands are the closest ecosystem to the water’s edge, and can even be found within the boundaries of our urban communities. Global Green has a great resources that helps explain the basics of wetlands, what they are and why they are important. Here on the Gulf Coast, there are specific types of wetlands we find that are rare and unique including emergent marsh and wet pine savanna. Below we will explore some of the characteristics of wetlands found here on the Gulf: Emergent Marsh WetlandCharacteristics: This wetland tends to be at the lowest elevation, closest to the shore of the Gulf. The water is brackish and the species that live there are tolerant to salt water environments. The soil in this ecosystem tends to be silty/clay mixture with organic material and peat. Examples of this wetland: Examples of this wetland can be found in the South Louisiana Bayous. Species: Flora in this ecosystem include Spartina alterniaflora (smooth coordgrass or saltmarsh cordgrass) and Juncus romerianus (balck needlerush). Fauna in this ecosystem include shorebirds, wading birds, pelicans, gulf salt marsh snake, diamondback terrapins and alligators. Ecosystem Functions: This ecosystem is an important nursery for small fish, crabs and oysters. It is also a feeding ground for larger fish. This marsh also acts as a filter absorbing water as it travels up in high tied, or down from the land in runoff from rain events. For human benefits, this marsh is also often cited as protection for our coastal communities from storm surge. It also is highly valued for recreation boating and fishing. Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include sea level rise, dredging, water quality threats from things like marine litter and oil spills, habitat loss from construction and fill in, lack of renourishment from suppressed flooding events and increased wave action from boating, hypoxia caused by agricultural runoff and invasive species such as nutria. More information: http://texaswetlands.org/wetland-types/estuarine-or-tidal-fringe-wetlands/ http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2013/3017/pdf/fs2013-3017.pdf Freshwater MarshCharacteristics: Water in these systems tend to be fresh, the soils are peaty, or on stream edges, sandy soils or clay. Examples of this wetland: An example of this wetland can be found by the coastal bays where freshwater empties into the bay. Species: Flora that can be found in this ecosystem include Cladium jamaicense (sawgrass) Juncus and various rushes. Fauna in this ecosystem include turtles, cotton mouth snakes, king snakes, egrets, herons, wading birds, catfish, bass, bream and raccoons. Ecosystem Functions: This ecosystem acts as a nursery for small fish, it also helps to filter water before it enters the waterway. It acts as a transitional area between uplands and lowlands. Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include water quality threats (runoff from agriculture, roadways and septic tanks), loss of habitat from construction and filling in. It is also threatened by increased sheet flow, or the amount of impervious serves that water runs off into it from. This reduces the natural filtration system and can cause siltation and sediment loading. Litter is also a big problem in this marsh as well as contamination from marine oils and debris. Invasive species in this habitat include apple snails, hematodes, tallow trees and tilapia. More information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32874-freshwater-marsh/freshwater_marsh.pdf Wet Pine SavannaCharacteristics: Wet Pine Savannas are a fire dependent habitat. There is not always standing water in these wetlands, but they have hydrologic soils and act as a filter to lower wetland areas. Examples of this wetland: Wet pine savannas such as those seen at the Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, can be found in the uplands all along the Gulf. Species: Flora that can be found in this ecosystem include wiregrass, Spartina patens (saltmeadow cordgrass), carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants and sundews, and Pinus plustris (longleaf pine). Fauna in wet pine savannas include sandhill cranes, deer and various rodents. Ecosystem Functions: Historically, these savanna’s were used to harvest turpentine. Their timber is also really valuable and they are great habitat for many species. Pressures on this ecosystem: Because it is fire dependent, many of these wetlands are at risk of fire suppression. As many people live in or near this habitat, there tends to be fragmentation of the habitat and the interest to suppress the fire that is needed reduce the fuel load and rejuvenate the wetland. Invasive species in this ecosystem are also a big problem. Tallow trees, cogon grass and camphor trees all threaten this habitat. There are also feral hogs. More Information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32892-western-longleaf-pine-savannah/western_longleaf_pine_savannah.pdf - http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/longleaf-pine-savannas-in-louisiana-and-mississippi-by-latimore-smith-feb1.pdf - http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/placesweprotect/cc-road-savanna-preserve.xml Bottomland Hardwood WetlandCharacteristics: This system is often found near rivers. The water is fresh, but often very tannic. Because it’s near river systems, there tend to be a number of oxbow lakes that can be found supporting this type of ecosystem. Examples of this wetland: An example of this wetland can be seen in Bayou Bienvenue in the lower 9th ward. Species: Species that can be found in this ecosystem include cypress trees, black gum trees and tupelo gum. Ecosystem Functions: Pressures on this ecosystem: Pressures on this ecosystem include construction, water quality threats, hydrologic flow being tampered or redirected, litter and invasive species such as popcorn trees and Japanese climbing fern. More Information: - http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/document/32862-bottomland-hardwood-forest/bottomland_hardwood_forest.pdf - http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/bottomland.cfm - http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/techrpt/81-37.pdf For more wetland type information:http://www.americaswetlandresources.com/wildlife_ecology/plants_animals_ecology/wetlands/TypesofWetlands.html What to monitor for in wetlandsWetland health can be assessed through a number of means: Aerial Mapping can help you gather information about the big picture: 1) understanding and visualizing pressures on the larger ecosystem such as development, flooding etc. 2) vegetation growth 3) shoreline migration Surveys for species types and invasive species are also good things to monitor for in wetlands, 1) Knowing what they are, 2) How many of them there are, 3) If they’re populations are shifting and 4) How they are affecting the rest of the marsh species. _Infrared and near infrared photography such as that captured by the infragam camera can help you assess the changes in plant health. _ Understanding and monitoring for water quality is also good monitoring technique on wentlands. Good water quality is a good indicator of a healthy wetland. Some useful water quality parameters include: 1) Depth 2) Turbidity 3) Temperature 4) Dissolved Oxygen 5) pH 6) Conductivity 7) Nitrates/phosphates More information on water quality parameters can be found here: http://www.watershedcouncil.org/learn/water%20terminology/ Restoring wetlands and restoration sites:Wetland restoration projects can be found all over the US. The major goal behind most restoration projects are to restore wetland habitat function and quality. The same monitoring techniques can be used in restoration sites as current wetlands. More information on wetland restoration: http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/defs.cfm http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/principles.cfm benefits of restoration (http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/restore/benefits.cfm) |
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