Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol

Paul Adamus, Ph.D.Graduate Faculty,

Water Resources Graduate Program Oregon State University

andAdamus Resource Assessment, Inc.

adamus7@comcast.net

in collaboration with:Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation – Scott O’Daniel

US Environmental Protection Agency – Tracie Nadeau

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-- A Short Course Mission, OregonAugust 11-13, 2014

2009-present

2011-present

2012-present

Oregon

Alaska south

Alberta (3 regions)

United States

1983, 1987

WET WESP regionalizations

Tuesday 8:30 Introductions. Course logistics.

Brief history of wetland functions assessmentDefinitions: wetland functions, values, and “health” (condition)How WESP works

10:30 BREAKDelimiting the assessment unitInterpreting the field data form questions

12:00 LUNCH on your own 1:15 Fill out Office Form (OF) for first wetland 2:00 Visit first wetland and apply WESP 4:30 end

Wednesday 8:30 Review scores from first wetland

Lecture: Principles of Hydrologic Functioning & ValueLecture: Principles of Water Quality Functioning & Value

10:30 BREAKLecture: Habitat Support – Models for Functions & Values

12:00 LUNCH on your own 1:15 Fill out Office Form (OF) for second wetland 2:00 Visit second wetland and apply WESP

Discuss results and potential applications 4:30 end

Popular Myths About Wetland Functions and Assessment

1. If a watershed has lots of erosion, its wetlands must be performing the Sediment Retention function.

2. Vegetation is the most important predictor of a wetland’s water quality function.

3. Organic soils hold nutrients more effectively than mineral soils.

4. Wetlands that are the least-altered by humans are almost always high-functioning.

5. Water quality function is associated more with wetlands on the edges of streams and lakes than isolated wetlands.

6. To properly assess a wetland’s functions, you must first classify it.

7. Results from assessment methods with simple scoring formulas and one-page data forms are nearly as accurate & repeatable as from more detailed methods.

8. A few on-site measurements of environmental variables tell you more about a wetland’s functions than twice as many on-site visually-estimated variables, plus variables measured in the office with GoogleEarth and/or GIS, plus local knowledge.

Wetland Determination

Wetland Delineation

Wetland Classification

Wetland Categorization

Wetland Assessment

Quick Review of Definitions

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Wetlands aren’t always wet!

1. Surface Water + Vegetation YES2. If No Surface Water, then:

soil indicators + plant indicators(cannot determine only from aerials)

Which of these are wetlands ?

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Wetland Soil Indicators

Which Wetlands Are More Important ?

How To Tell? CONSIDER:

• Functions: what a wetland does naturally

• Values (Benefits):Values of Functions (e.g., water storage flood protection)

Opportunity to perform function (upslope)Significance of function when performed (downslope)

Integrity (a.k.a. Ecological Condition, Health, Quality, Naturalness)Uniqueness/ Relative AbundanceRecreation, Education, AestheticsProduction of Sustainable Commodities (timber, hay, fish, etc.)

Ecosystem Services = Functions + their Values

• Risk to Wetland:• Stressors (Threats)• Sensitivity = Resistance & Resilience to stressors

Condition Assessment Methods

Function Assessment Methods

Ecosystem Services Assessment Methods

WESP: A spreadsheet with a suite of models for assessing 14 wetland ecosystem services at a site scale.

Specific Wetland Functions:

Relative Effectiveness

of the Function

Relative Values of

the Function Water Storage 7.89 4.21 Streamwater Cooling 2.14 6.23 Sediment Retention & Stabilization 6.62 6.95 Phosphorus Retention 5.73 6.49 Nitrate Removal 8.21 3.20 Carbon Sequestration 4.30   Organic Nutrient Export 8.29   Aquatic Invertebrate Habitat 9.44 3.69 Fish Habitat 5.26 7.81 Amphibian Habitat 6.67 3.15 Waterbird Habitat 4.20 1.20 Songbird, Raptor, & Mammal Habitat 8.77 6.14 Pollinator Habitat 5.54 5.16 Native Plant Diversity 6.42 8.19 Public Use & Recognition 6.67

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Level of FUNCTIONS

Level of Potential VALUES

Action

HIGH HIGH Avoid/ Preserve?

LOW HIGH Enhance/ Restore?

HIGH LOW Higher mitigation ratio?

LOW LOW Lower mitigation ratio?

Rating (Categorizing) Wetlands

Example of Output from a Function Assessment Method

Function Time 1

Value Time 1

Function Time 2

Value Time 2

Water Storage & Delay 0.2 0.8 0.2 0.9

Sediment Stabilization & Phosphorus Retention

0.6 0.6 0.7 0.6

Nitrogen Removal 0.9 0.5 0.9 0.5

Thermoregulation 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.5

Primary Production 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.7

Resident Fish Habitat 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4

Anadromous Fish Habitat 0 0.0 0.5 0.6

Invertebrate Habitat 0.6 0.1 0.7 0.1

Amphibian Habitat 0.6 0.2 0.5 0.2

Breeding Waterbird Habitat 0.8 0.4 0.7 0.4

Feeding Waterbird Habitat 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1

Songbird Habitat 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.7

Native Plant Diversity 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.7

Uses of WESP OutputsPRIMARY:

• Use scores as a partial basis for deciding:• avoid or mitigate?• which mitigation ratio to use?• are we truly replacing functions in kind?

• Identify ways to minimize impacts to functions of a wetland.

• Identify wetland designs that may provide greatest levels of particular ecosystem services.

SUPPORTING:

• Prioritize all wetlands in a rapidly developing watershed or region.

• Monitor success of individual restoration projects.

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Steps for Using WESP

1. Go online and download current version of: Excel spreadsheet PDF files for data forms OF, FieldF, and FieldS

Print the PDF files, not Excel spreadsheet.

2. Read and thoroughly understand Manual (and Short Guide).

3. Fill out Office Form (OF) (~1 hour)

4. Visit wetland. Decide on AA boundary.Fill out 2 data forms -- FieldF and FieldS.Texture the soils. Look for water lines, weeds, veg patterns, etc.Landowner interview if possible.

5. Enter data in Excel spreadsheet.

6. Interpret results.

WESP Basic Features

Intended to avoid simplistic assumptions, e.g., marshes better than forested wetlands.

Provides 0-10 score for 16 wetland functions and their values.

Scores from different users are very consistent (+/- 0.5 on 0-10 scale).

Oregon version required by State of Oregon. Long history.

Uses ~120 indicators, but many “skip to’s.” Takes less than 2 hours per site.

Quick to learn. No specialized expertise required.

Tidal & Non-tidal Wetlands. Office & Field components.

Strongly rooted in scientific literature. Peer reviewed.

Can be applied at multiple scales: Entire wetland: prioritize for purchase or enhanced regulatory protection. Part of a wetland: road widening, residential development.

Few people can predict all wetland functions.• Few can instantly recall all indicators of functions.• Different people mentally assign different weights to indicators.

Reduces arbitrariness increased public confidence.

“Paper trail” -- legal reasons.

The Trade-off: less flexibility to accommodate quirks of a particular site

Why standardize functional assessment?

Challenge faced by all “one-visit” assessment methods:Wetland Conditions can be Dynamic

Tidal Dynamics

Seasonal Dynamics

Ways to Assess Functions & Values

Example: Indicators of Nitrogen Removal

• Duration and pattern of soil saturation

• Soil organic content

• Soil temperature

Option 1: Simple list of indicators

Option 2: Just define the extremes

Option 3: Pre-specify the:• condition weights for each indicator, and • the rules (models) for combining indicators

Types of WESP Indicator Questions

True-False:

Choose the most applicable:

Choose all applicable:

Acidic Pools

Most pools within the AA are depressions in a peat layer of > 4 inch depth, or have tea-colored waters (brownish tannins), and/or a pH < 5.5. Nearby vegetation is mostly moss and/or evergreen shrubs.

0

N Fixers

The cover of nitrogen-fixing plants (e.g., alder, sweetgale, legumes) in the AA or the percent of the AA's water edge occupied by those (whichever contains more) is:

<1% or none 0

1-25% 0

>25% 0

Woody Diameter Classes

Mark all the types whose stems comprise >5% of the woody stems in the AA:

deciduous 1-4" diameter and >3 ft tall 0

evergreen 1-4" diameter and >3 ft tall 0

deciduous 4-9" diameter 0

evergreen 4-9" diameter 0

deciduous 9-21" diameter 0

evergreen 9-21" diameter 0

Form S (Stressors)

Altered Timing of Water Inputs

In the last column, place a check mark next to any item that is likely to have caused the timing of water inputs (but not necessarily their volume) to shift by hours, days, or weeks, becoming either more muted (smaller or less frequent peaks spread over longer times, more temporal homogeneity of flow or water levels) or more flashy (larger or more frequent spikes but over shorter times). [FA, FR, INV, PH, STR]

Check Marks

flow regulation in tributaries or water level regulation in adjoining water body, or tidegate or other control structure at water entry points that regulates inflow to the wetland

snow storage areas that drain directly to the wetland

increased pavement and other impervious surface in the CA

straightening, ditching, dredging, and/or lining of tributary channels in the CA

Severe (3 pts) Medium (2 points) Mild (1 point) PointsSpatial extent within the wetland of timing shift >95% of wetland 5-95% of wetland <5% of wetland 0

When most of the timing shift began <3 yrs ago 3-9 yrs ago 10-100 yrs ago 0 Score the following 2 rows only if the altered inputs began within past 10 years, and only for the part of the wetland that experiences those.  Input timing now vs. previously shift of weeks shift of days shift of hours or minutes 0

Flashiness or muting became very flashy or controlled intermediate became mildly flashy or

controlled 0

Delimiting the Assessment Areas:

Operating Principles for Delimiting Wetland Assessment Areas (AA’s)

Does adjoining open water cover <20 acres? Include it!Otherwise, break into separate AA’s and include the open water only if question asks.

Delimit separate AAs if hydroperiod (surface water duration, extent) differs greatly on opposing sides of a road or berm.

Delimit separate AAs if wetland is bisected by a watershed divide (opposing flow directions within the wetland).

Delimit separate AA for each wetland class (the WESPAK-SE ones) within a wetland, BUT ONLY IF:

They comprise >20% of the wetland’s total vegetated areaThe AA would otherwise be impossible to assess (many miles across)

Delimit as a separate AA the 100-ft buffer adjoining both sides of an anadromous stream.

With rare exceptions, avoid dividing a wetland based ONLY on: Property lines Fences Zoning designations Vegetation or Cowardin (NWI mapped polygon) types

Delimiting the Assessment Area (AA)

Saturated vs. Seasonally Flooded Only vs.

Persistently Flooded

Indicators of HIGH water (= upper limit of Seasonally Inundated zone)Water marks on trees (moss); water-stained leaves; algae amid grass stemsDrift lines of debris on ground or suspended in shrubs Scoured areas on the soil surfaceFresh deposits of water-borne sedimentHeight of culvert or berm relative to current water levelAquatic plants without water beneathAirphoto sequence

Indicators of where LOW water persists(= lower limit of Seasonally Inundated zone) (= upper limit of Persistently Inundated zone)Minimal vegetation (all Obligates). No woody.TopographyAirphoto sequence

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Key Terms As Defined by WESP

Surface WaterGroundwaterBordering WatersOpen WaterPonded Water

Upland Perennial CoverHerbaceous (Herbs)

ForbsEmergentsSedges

distance “uphill from”“predominant” vs. “most”

Interspersion of Emergents & Open Water

During most of the growing season, the spatial pattern of herbaceous vegetation that has surface water beneath it (emergent vegetation -- NOT floating-leaved plants) is mostly:

scattered in small clumps, islands, or patches throughout the surface water area.

Intermediate

clumped along the margin of the surface water area, or mostly surrounds a channel or central area of open water, or such vegetation covers <100 sq ft and <1% of the AA.

Interspersion of Herbaceous and Woody Cover

In "ducks-eye view", the distribution pattern of woody vegetation (including low shrubs) VS. unshaded herbaceous/moss vegetation within the AA is:

(a) Woody cover and herbaceous/ moss cover EACH comprise 30-70% of the vegetated part of the AA, AND (b) There are many patches of woody vegetation scattered widely within herbaceous/ moss vegetation, or many patches of herbaceous vegetation scattered widely within woody vegetation.

(a) Woody cover and herbaceous/ moss EACH comprise 30-70% of the vegetated AA, AND (b) There are few patches ("islands") of woody vegetation scattered widely within herbaceous vegetation, or few patches of herbaceous/moss vegetation ("gaps") scattered widely within woody vegetation.

(a) Woody cover OR herbaceous/ moss comprise >70% of the vegetated AA, AND (b) There are several patches of the other scattered within it. (e.g., forested AAs with patches -- not limited to corridors -- of skunk cabbage, or muskeg with scattered shrubs).

(a) Woody over OR herbaceous/ moss comprise >70% of the vegetated AA, AND (b) The other is absent or is mostly in a single area or distinct zone with almost no intermixing of woody and unshaded herbaceous/moss vegetation.

Total Woody Cover Extent

Within the entire vegetated part of the AA, the percentage occupied by woody plants taller than 3 feet (shrubs, trees) is:

<5% of the vegetated AA, or there is no woody vegetation in the AA. SKIP to F39.

5-25%.

25-50%

50-75%

>75%

Percentage of Bare or Semi-bare Ground

Consider the parts, if any, of the AA that lack surface water for any portion of the growing season. Viewed from directly above the ground layer, the predominant condition at that time is:

Little or no (<5%) bare or semi-bare ground is visible between erect stems or under canopy anywhere in the vegetated AA. Ground is extensively blanketed by dense thatch, moss, lichens, graminoids with great stem densities, or plants with ground-hugging foliage.

Bare or semi-bare ground is visible in places, but those areas comprise less than 5% of the unflooded parts of the AA.

Bare or semi-bare ground is visible in places, and those areas comprise more than 5% of the unflooded parts of the AA.

Other conditions

Not applicable. Parts that lack surface water are always <5% of the AA and <100 feet of the AA's perimeter. Nearly the entire AA remains constantly inundated.

Predominant Depth Class

During most of the time surface water is present, its depth in most of the inundated part of the AA is:>6 ft deep2-6 ft deep1-2 ft deep0.5 - 1 ft deep<0.5 ft deep

Depth Class Distribution

During most of the time when surface water is present (select one):

One depth class (use the classes in F12) comprises >90% of the AA’s inundated area

One depth class comprises >50% of the AA's inundated area

Neither of above

Slope from Disturbed Lands

The land slope in the area from the AA edge to the closest disturbance feature that comprises >10% of the upland edge is mostly: [If no disturbances are present within 100 ft, select the slope that predominates along most of the AA's upland edge and extending 100 ft uphill]]

<1% (flat -- almost no noticeable slope, or there is no upland boundary)2-5%5-30%>30%

Flat Shoreline Percentage

The length of the AA's shoreline (along its ponded open water) that is bordered by areas that are nearly flat (a slope less than about 5%) is:

<1% of the length1-25% of the length25-50% of the length50-75% of the length>75% of the length

Tidal Wetland Questions

Tidal Regime

For each condition listed in the rows in the table below, estimate how much of the AA’s area (including its internal tidal channels) is likely to be accessible to small fish. Then select one number from each row, and sum the four numbers and enter the sum in the column to the right.

Blind Channel Presence & Complexity

The AA contains one or more branching internal (blind) channels. These are channels that do not connect to streams originating in the uplands, except where those streams themselves are tidal. Do not count channels that merely loop around and rejoin their source channel. If blind channels present, enter 1. If not, enter 0 and SKIP to T28.

Internal Channel Network Complexity

The largest number of visible channel junctions (forks where two channels join) belonging to any single blind channel network within the AA's wetland is:<33-67-14>14

Wildlife Access Draw a circle of radius of 0.5 mile from the center of the AA. If mammals and amphibians can move from the center of the AA to all other separate wetlands located within the circle without being forced to cross maintained roads (any width), lawns, bare ground, marine waters, and/or steep (>30%) slopes, mark 1= yes can move, or no other wetlands within that distance, or 0= no.

Delimiting a Wetland’s Contributing Area

Basic Principles of Wetland Functioning

Anadromous Fish Habitat

Score = 6.6

Score = 0

Waterbird Feeding Habitat

Score = 8.4

Score = 2.3

Amphibian & Turtle Habitat

Score = 9.4

Score = 1.9

Score = 2.1

Native Plant Diversity

Score = 7.9

Thermoregulation Score = 0Score = 5.5

Nitrate Removal

Score = 10.00

Score = 3.2

Score = 8.9

Score = 2.6

Pollinator Habitat

Groundwater & Wetlands

Groundwater: Subsuface water below the water table, which is the depth where soil becomes water saturated (i.e. all pore spaces are water filled).

Wetland: Areas of the surface soil layer that receive groundwater (i.e. the water table is near or at the surface; or land covered with shallow water) with great enough frequency to establish characteristic soils and plant communities.

courtesy Pennsylvania State University

Focus: Ground Water

from: Smith et al. 1995

National HGM Classification (Brinson 1993)

HGM Class Water Sources That Define It Usual NWI Systems

Estuarine Fringe ocean> runoff> groundwater Estuarine> Riverine> Palustrine

Riverine runoff> groundwater> precip Riverine> Palustrine

Slope groundwater> runoff Palustrine> Riverine

Flats precip> groundwater> runoff Palustrine

Depressional runoff> groundwater> precip Palustrine

Lacustrine Fringe runoff> precip> groundwater Lacustrine> Palustrine

WESPAK-SE model for Surface Water Storage

Value of the Function:FloodBdg X AVERAGE:[ average (CAunveg, Glacier, ShedPos,CApct),Transport)]

Subsurface 0.00 AVERAGE(SoilTex, Groundw)

Freezing (Frozen Duration) 0.25 AVERAGE(Freeze, Elev, GDDays,TidalProx, Aspect)

Live Store 0.00 IF((AllSat=1),0, AVERAGE(Fluctua,SeasPct))

Friction 0.00 IF((AllSat=1),(3*Gradient +AVERAGE(Gcover,Girreg))/4, ELSE: AVERAGE(OutDura,Gradient, AVERAGE(Constric,ThruFlo,FloDist,PondWpctWet))

Function ModelIF((NoOutlet=1), 1, IF((AllSat=1), AVERAGE(Gradient, Subsurface, AVERAGE(Freezing, Friction)),ELSE: (4*LiveStore + 2*Friction + Subsurf)/7))

WESPAK-SE model for Stream Flow Support (SFS)

Function Model:OutDur * { [(2*GroundwaterInput) + ClimateFactors)] / 3 }

Value of the Function:average (InvScore, AnadScore, ResFishScore, Glacier, Elev)

Connectivity 0.00 OutDur

Climate 0.00 AVERAGE(IceDur, Aspect, Depth,Soil)

Groundwater Input 0.00 AVERAGE(Groundw,Wettype)

Water Quality Functions and Values

Functions Values of the Functions (examples)

Water Cooling salmonid summer habitat in lowlands

Water Warming marine productivity (& wintering fish habitat?)

Sediment Retention & Stabilization

protect salmonid spawning areas; keep toxic metals from mobilizing ;

Phosphorus Retention maintain preferred food webs?

Nitrate Removal maintain preferred food webs? detoxification?

Water Cooling (WC)

Water Warming (WW)

Value of the Function:OutDur X average (AmphScore, Fringe, Glacier,TideProx, Elev, Aspect, Imperv))

Function:IF((AllSat=1),Gwater, ELSE: AVERAGE(Gwater, OpenWater, Depth, Ponded, SatPct)))

Value of the Function:OutDur X [AVERAGE(ShadeIn, Fringe, Glacier, Elev, Aspect, Imperv, Warmth) + AnadFish] /2

Function:If no surface water, then Groundwater factors only. If surface water, then the average of Groundwater factors and Solar Heat factors (Ponded,OpenWater, Depth)

Phosphorus Retention function

Phosphorus RetentionSediment Retention Frozen Duration 0.33 AVERAGE(Freeze, Elev,GrowDDays,TidalProx)

Intercept Dry 0.00 AVERAGE(Gradient, FlowDist, AVERAGE(Girreg, Gcover,CApct))

Intercept Wet 0.00 IF(AllSat=1),"", IF(NoPonded=1),"",AVERAGE (Width, MAX(Thruflo,AqPlantCov, Interspers))

Connectivity 0.00 AVERAGE(OutDur,Constric,Gradient, FlowDist,Lake)

Adsorption 0.00 AVERAGE(SoilTex, Stain)

Desorption 0.00 AVERAGE(SatPct, Persis, DomDepth, Fluctu)

Live Store 0.00 IF(AllSat=1),"", AVERAGE(Fluctua,SeasPct)

Entrain 0.00 IF(AllSat=1),"", AVERAGE(OutDura,FlowDist,Depth, IsoWet, WatEdgeSlope)

Dry Intercept 0.00 AVERAGE[Gradient, AVERAGE(Girreg,Gcover)]

Wet Intercept 0.00 IF(AllSat=1),"", IF(NoPonded=1),"", ELSE: AVERAGE (Width,

AVERAGE(Thruflo,AqPlantCov, Interspers))

Frozen 0.33 AVERAGE(Freeze, Elev,GDD,TidalProx)

Function:IF((AllSat=1), DryIntercept, IF((NoOutlet=1),1, ELSE: (2*AVERAGE(Entrain, LiveStore) + AVERAGE(DryIntercept, WetIntercept, Frozen))/3))

Value of the Function:MAX(ToxData, ToxUp, AVERAGE(Inflo,SatPct,FlowIn,Glacier, AVERAGE(ImpervPctSS,ErodibleSS,SedIn, CAnatPct, BuffSlope,Elev,CApct,TransportSS,MaxFluc,NewWeta)

Function:IF((AllSat=1),AVERAGE(IntercepDry, Adsorb,FreezeDura), IF((NoOut=1),1, ELSE: (3*AVERAGE(Adsorption, Desorption) + 2*Connectivity+ (AVERAGE(InterceptWet, interceptDry) + FreezeDuration) / 7

Value of the Function:MAX(Pload,AVERAGE((Inflo,StreamInGrad, Glacier, AVERAGE(BuffSlope,ErodScore,PosShed, NewWet,CApct,Transport, Anad, Groundw, ImpervCA,NatCApct))

Nitrogen Removal function -- wetlands VERY important

Nitrate Removal

Warmth 0.13 AVERAGE(Aspect, TreeCanop,Freeze, Elev,Temperature,TidalProx, Groundw)]

Interception and/or Erosion Resistance 0.00 AVERAGE(Width, FloDist, Gcover, Thruflo, Interspers, WetPctCA)

Connectivity 0.00 AVERAGE(OutDur,Gradient,Constric)

Organic 0.00 AVERAGE(SoilTex,WetType, NewWetland,AqPlantCov, SoilDisturb)

Redox 0.00 (AVERAGE(SatPct, Persis, SeasPct) + AVERAGE(Fluctu, UpEdgeShape, Inclusions,Girreg))/2

Function:IF((NoOutlet=1),1,IF((AllSat=1),(2*Connec + Intercep + FrozDur + Organic + Redox)/6, ELSE: (3*Redox + 2*Connec + FrozDur + Organic + Intercep)/ 8)))

Value of the Function:AVERAGE(MAX(Aquifer,Drink), Inflo, MAX(NSource,Nfix,Anad,CAnatPct, Imperv,PopDist), AVERAGE(ShedPos,BuffSlope,BuffCovTyp,Transport)

Functions Values of the Functions (examples)

Carbon Sequestration maintain global climate; maintain wetland soil integrity (up to a point)

Organic Nutrient Export critically important nutrients for food webs (nearshore marine, streams, lakes); iron; immobilize toxic metals;protect aquatic life from ultraviolet radiation

CARBON

Carbon Sequestration Organic Nutrient Export

Historical Accum 0.00

IF((NotNewWet=1), AVERAGE(SoilDisturb,MossCov, Wettype, SoilTex, AVERAGE(Warmth,DecidPct, DecidTree,Width), ELSE: NewWetland

Decomposition 0.63 AVERAGE(Depth, AVERAGE(Freeze, Elev, Warmth, 1-

MossCov, 1-WetType)

Physical Accum 0.00 AVERAGE (OutDura,Gradient, IsoWet)

Methane Limit 0.22 AVERAGE(MossCov, Sedge,SeasPct, Fluctu,

Groundw,TreeForm,Wetter, PermWpct)

(2*MAX(HistAccum, PhysAccum) + Productiv +3*MethLimit) /6

Historical Accumulation 0.00 IF((NewWetNot=1),AVERAGE(SoilTex,Stained), ELSE:

NewWet

Current Productivity: 0.08 AVERAGE(Frozen Duration, Plant Cover, Nutrient Availability)

WHERE:

Frozen Duration 0.25 AVERAGE(Warmth, Freeze,TidalProx, Groundw)

Plant Cover & Type 0.00 AVERAGE (AqPlantCov, Decid, DecidTree, Gcover, Depth)

Nutrient Availability 0.00 AVERAGE(Wettype,SeasWpct, Fluctu, Nfix, Karst, Granite)]

Export Potential 0.00AVERAGE [OutDura, Gradient, FloDist, Precip, AVERAGE(Constric, ThruFlo, Interspers, Width, PondedPct, Glacier, Elev)]

(3*ExportPotential+ 2*CurrentProductivity + HistoricalAccumulation) /6

Functions of Habitat:

• Accessible and Timely Sheltering from Predators and the Elements (Corridors, Refugia, etc.)

• Accessible and Timely Provision of Food, Water, and Special Needs

Habitat Functions of Wetlands

Aquatic Invertebrates

Anadromous Fish

Resident & Other Fish

Amphibians

Feeding Waterbirds

Nesting Waterbirds

Songbirds, Raptors & Mammals

Pollinators

Native Plants

WESPAK-SE model for Aquatic Invertebrates

Structure 0.00 AVERAGE [ABpct,AVERAGE(AqCov, HerbDiv,Gcover,WoodDown,Girreg) ]

Hydroperiod 0.00 AVERAGE [PermWpct, SatPct, AVERAGE(SeasPct, Fluctu,GroundW) ]

Connectivity 0.00 AVERAGE(Interspers,ThruFlo,IsoWet, OWpatchSize, Flow)

Productivity 0.00 AVERAGE [WetType,AVERAGE(Depth, DecidTree, Hardwood, WoodDown,Nfixers, Karst, Granite, Glacier,TidalProx) ]

Landscape 0.00 AVERAGE(Imperv,NatVegPctCU,CUbuffLUtype)

Stressors 0.50 AVERAGE[Fish, MAX(AltTime, SedCA,SoilDisturb)]

Function:AVERAGE [Struc,Productivity,AVERAGE(Hydropd,Connec,Stressors,LScape]

Value of the function:MAX(UniqPatch,DistRareTyp,RareWclass, AVERAGE(AnadFish,ResFish,Amphib,WbirdF,WbirdNest,SongbMam))

Anadromous Fish Habitat Resident & Other Fish Habitat

Hydro Regime 0.00 AVERAGE(Depth,SatPct, MAX(SeasWPct, PermWPct),Lake, Interspers,ThruFlo)

Structure 0.00 AVERAGE[Beaver, AVERAGE(Wettype, WoodAbove, AqPlantCov, IsoWet)]

Productivity 0.00 AVERAGE(GroundW, TidalProx, Elev, Wettype, Karst, Nfix)

Landscape 0.00 AVERAGE(NatVegPctCU,BuffLU, ImpervCA)

Stressors 0.60 AVERAGE(NutrIn,SedIn,AltTime, Glacier, ToxData)

Function:IF((Access=0),0,IF((AllSat=0),0, ELSE (AVERAGE(Access,OutDura))X(AVERAGE(HydroRegime,Structure,Productivity,LScape,Stress))

Value of the Function:MAX [SalmoShed,AVERAGE(WbirdFeed,SBMscore), A VERAGE(Fishing, Core, PopCtr, DistRd), Subsist ]

Hydro Regime 0.00 AVERAGE(SatPct, Depth, DepthEven, PermWPct,Interspers, IsoDry,ThruFlo)

Structure 0.00 AVERAGE[Beaver, AVERAGE(Wettype, WoodAbove, ABpct,AqCov) ]

Productivity 0.00 AVERAGE(InletOutlet,GroundW, NewWetland,Wettype, Karst, Granite, Nfix,Lake)

Anoxia Risk 0.33 AVERAGE (OutDura, Depth) X AVERAGE(Warmth, Elev,TidalProx,IceDura,Lake)

Stressors 0.25 AVERAGE(AltTime, Glacier,ToxData)

Function:IF((Fish Access=0),0,IF((Water=0),0, ELSE AVERAGE(HydroRegime,Structure,Productivity,AnoxiaRisk, Stress))

Value of the Function:MAX(Waterbird Feeding score, Subsist,AVERAGE(Fishing,PopDist, DistRd,Core)))

Amphibian HabitatWood Frog, Western Toad, Long-toed Salamander, Rough-skinned Newt

Hydro Regime 0.00 AVERAGE(Fluctu, SatPct, PermWpct, ISOwet, PondedOW, GroundW)

Aquatic Structure 0.00 AVERAGE(ABpct,WoodAbove, Interspers, Vwidth)

Terrestrial Structure 0.00 AVERAGE(WoodDown, ShrubSun,Gcover, Girreg, Inclus))

Productivity 0.00 AVERAGE(Wettype, Aspect, Gradient, NewWet, Karst, Granite, TreeVar)

Climate 0.33 AVERAGE(Ice, TidalProx, Warmth,Elev)

Landscape 0.14 AVERAGE(NatVegPct, BuffLU, NatVegProx, NatCov2mi, ScapeLU, NatVegSize, RoadCirc)

Waterscape 0.00 AVERAGE(PondPctScape, PondProx)

Stressors (lack of) 0.33 AVERAGE(FishAcc, Acidic, AVERAGE(RdDis, Toxic, GlacierFed, Core1, Core2, BMP)

Function:AVERAGE [(AmPres,AVERAGE(Hydro, AqStruc, TerrStruc, Produc, Climate, Lscape, Waterscape, Stress)]

Value of the Function:MAX[(AVERAGE(UniqPatch,DistRareTyp, RareWclass, Geog)), (AVERAGE(WBFscore,SBMscore)]

Feeding Waterbird Habitat Nesting Waterbird HabitatHydro Regime 0.00 AVERAGE(ISOwet, SatPct, MAX(SeasWpct, PermWpct),

Depth, DepthEven)

Structure 0.00 AVERAGE[Woody, Mudflat,ABpct, Size, AVERAGE(Interspers, EmPct)]

Productivity 0.20 AVERAGE(Wettype,Fringe, Lake, Algae, Gradient, Fish)

Climate 0.33 AVERAGE(Ice, TidalProx, Warmth, Elev)

Landscape 0.00 AVERAGE(Beaver, Geography, PondPctScape, PondProx,BigPondProx)

Stressors (lack of) 0.00 AVERAGE(Corea, Coreb, BMP, _Tox)

Function:IF((AllSaturatedOnly=1),0,IF((Wettype=Forested Peatland),0, ELSE:AVERAGE(Produc, AVERAGE(Hydro, Struc, Climate, Lscape,Stressors)))

Value of the Function:MAX:(MAX(Rare,IBAa), AVERAGE(RareWclass,PondNum, DuckHunt, PopCtr,Visib)))

HydroRegime 0.00AVERAGE(ISOwet, SatPct, Fluctu, MAX(SeasWpct, PermWpct), Depth, DepthEven)

Structure 0.00AVERAGE[(Woody,Interspers, AVERAGE(EmPct, Size, Vwidth, AqPlantCov, ThruFlo, Snags)]

Productivity 0.17AVERAGE(Wettype,Gradient, TidalProx, Elev, Acidity,ShoreSlope, Fish, Island)

Waterscape 0.00AVERAGE(Lake, LakeProx, Fringe,Beaver, PondPctScape,PondProx)]

Stressors (lack of) 0.00 AVERAGE(Core1,Core2, BMP, Toxics)

Landscape 0.00AVERAGE(NatVegTractSize, BuffLUtype, BuffNatPct,RdDis)

Function:IF((AllSaturatedOnly=1), 0, IF((TooSteep=1),0,ELSE: (3*AVERAGE(AqPlantCov, Size, Wettype,Wscape) +2*AVERAGE(HydroRegime,Structure, Productivity) + AVERAGE(Stressors,Landscape))/6))

Value of the Function:MAX(PondNum,Rare, IBA, RareWclass)

Songbird, Raptor, & Mammal HabitatStructureA 0.00 AVERAGE (Gcover, Cedar, Unbrow, Girreg, Cliffs, SnagsD, WoodDown)

StructureB 0.00 AVERAGE (WoodyPct, WoodyEdge, ShrubCanop, ShrubDiv, WoodPatt, TreeTypes)

Productivity 0.00 (AVERAGE(Size,Vwidth))*((AVERAGE(Nfix, Inclus, UpEdge, Hardwd,TidalProx, Elev)))

Landscape 0.00 AVERAGE (Mainland, CUbuffNatPct, CUtypeLU, NatVegProx, NatVegPctScape, ScapeLU, NatVegSize,DeerShed)

Waterscape 0.00 AVERAGE (SatPct, PermWpct, PondPctScape, PondProx, Beaver, Interspers)

Stressors 0.20 AVERAGE (CoreA, CoreB, PopCtr, RdBox, DisRd)

Function:IF((AllWater=1),0, ELSE: (AVERAGE(PermWpct,AVERAGE(StrucA,StrucB, Produc,Lscape,Wscape,Stress))

Value of the Function:MAX[Rare, IBA, AVERAGE (RareWclass,PondNum, UniqPatch,DistRareTyp)]

Pollinator Habitat

Pollen Onsite 0.00 AVERAGE(persist, gramin, herbpct, AVERAGE(gcover, herbsens, herbdiv, aspect))

NestSites 0.00 AVERAGE(woodydbh, Snags, downwood, girreg, cliff)

Function:AVERAGE(Cover2miDiv,PollenOnsite, NestSites)

Value of the Function:AVERAGE(wetuniq,RareWclass, rareherb)

Native Plant Habitat

Species - Area 0.00 AVERAGE (Width, Size, SatPct)

Landscape 0.00 AVERAGE (Beaver, Slide, NatVegCA, BuffLUpd, PondScape, PondProx)

Aquatic Fertility 0.00 AVERAGE (Interspers, Fluc, SeasWpct, Inflo, Groundw, NewWet, Elev, Depth)

Terrestrial Fertility 0.00 AVERAGE (Nfix, DecidTree, Hardwd, SoilTex, Granite, Karst, Wettype, Moss)

Climate 0.00 AVERAGE (TidalProx, GDD, Aspect)

Competition/ Light 0.00 [MIN (herbPd,WeedSource) + AVERAGE (wood, TreeCovPD, ShrubSun, Girreg, HerbDom)] / 2

Stressors 0.29 AVERAGE (Core1, Core2, BMPsoils, PopCtr, DistRd, AltTime, SedDisturb, Browsed)

Function:(3xAqFertil + 3xTerrFertil + 2xSpeciesArea + 2xLscape + Climate + Compet + Stressors)/ 13

Value of the Function:MAX(RarePspp, (AVERAGE(UniqPatch,DistRareTyp,RareWclass, Cedar), AVERAGE(Glean,ScoreSBM,ScorePOLf,ScoreSubsis))))

Public Use & Recognition (Value) Subsistence (Traditional Use) Value

Convenience 0.00AVERAGE(Ownership,Visibility,RdDist, Core1PU,Core2PU,ElevPU, PopCtrDisPU, TidalProxPU)

Investment 0.00 MAX(MitigaSite,ConsInvest,SciUse)

Recreation Potential 0.00 AVERAGE(RecreaPoten, BMPsoils,

BMPwildlife)

AVERAGE(Convenience, Invest, RecPot)

IF((NonSubsistence Designation=1), 0,ELSE:MAX(Subsist,(AVERAGE(PopCtrDis,TidalProx,Elev)) + (AVERAGE(Consump,DeerShed, SalmonShed,FishAccess)) /2)

Steps for Regionalizing WESP

1. Which ecosystem services are of greatest regional interest? Which are not applicable to wetlands of this region?

2. Review regional literature comprehensive bibliography, indexed to function

3. Modify existing indicators and condition choices, as needed. Modify models, as needed.

4. Trial runs with users modify further for clarity

5. Establish reference conditions for the region’s wetlands: NOT calibrating to “least-altered”

Use GIS to create attribute database for all mapped wetlandsCluster AnalysisSelect calibration sites (>1 per statistical cluster)Visit and assessConvert scores to categories (optional)

6. Modify the Manual, train the users.

Designing good assessment methods isn’t just science … it’s architecture.

• Wording of the data form questions.

• Indicator combination rules (models) that fairly represent the complexity of Nature.

Wording of the Questions: • Will different people interpret them the same way?• Will they give the information that’s really needed?

(1) BPJ approach (open-ended questions):• Is the water regime optimal to support frog egg attachment?

(2) A more standardized approach:• Is most of the wetland 1-3 m deep?

(3) A qualified standardized approach:• spatially-qualified:

Are depths of at least 1m present in >50% of the unshaded portion of the wetland?

• temporally-qualified:Is the above present during most of the period, May-July?

(4) If using percentages, does the question compare to the correct reference?e.g., forbs as a % of the WETLAND? Just the VEGETATED wetland? Just the HERBACEOUS part of the wetland?

Modeling (Math As Logic)

8. Scaling the Indicators• To the whole region? Major watersheds? Wetland type?• Percentiles vs. categories (thresholds)

9. Scaling the Function & Value Scores

10. Deciding the break points for action categories (A, B, C, D).

Interpreting the Scores from a Regionalized WESP

• For each function, is its Function Effectiveness score higher, lower, or about the same as the median and range calculated from all other wetlands in the database? By how much?

• For each function, is its Value score higher, lower, or about the same as the median and range calculated from all other wetlands in the database?

• For the other attributes scored by WESP, is its score higher, lower, or about the same as the median and range calculated from all other wetlands in the database?

• Which functions and which values scored the highest relative to the median and range calculated from all other wetlands in their database, and which the lowest?

• How many functions scored higher than the median for other wetlands in the database? How many of those also had a value score (for that function) that was higher than the regional median?

“Highest Functioning” vs. “Least Altered” Standards

Validation – What makes a method valid?

• Repeatability (Consistency)

• Sensitivity

• Accuracy (Verification)

Ye Olde Way: Mitigation ratio based on acreage & Cowardin type.

Better: Mitigation ratio based on wetland’s “overall” level of function (A, B, C, D)

The Right Way: Levels of functions in compensation wetlands ALSO match (approx.) the levels of THOSE functions in the lost (debit) wetland.

Mitigation Credits, Debits, and Ratios

Example 2. Enhancing a degraded wetland as compensation

Wetlands Credit Accounting

A. Average the service scores (mitigation site only) and multiply by acres

B. Apply standard mitigation ratios, calculated mainly for impact site.

C. Match debit site losses with mitigation site gains, with acreage multiplier.

D. Match debit site losses with mitigation site gains, without acreage multiplier.

• Eligibility

• Calculation Method

• Verification

• Registration

• Tracking

Key Components

Calculation Options (examples)

• Function scores (post-enhancement) and Value scores of all function groups at the credit site must be no less than their equivalents lost at the debit site, ± 1 point.

• If either the Function score (post-enhancement) or Value score is greater at the credit site than debit site, consider reducing the required mitigation ratio, on a case-by-case basis.

• No multiplication or averaging of functions and values.

• Acreage at the credit site (i.e., the enhanced or restored part of it) must be no less than that lost at debit site.

Strategy D. Match debit site losses with mitigation site gains, with acreage multiplier.

3. Function-based Crediting (a.k.a., Should I become a mitigation banker?)

CREDITS = Acres x Functional Lift

Example: 12 acre rehabilitation at a mitigation bank

CREDIT wetland (e.g., Mitigation Bank)PRE POST

Function Group: Hydrologic Function 2.38 2.92 Water Quality Functions 4.10 5.17 Fish Support Functions 5.33 6.72 Aquatic Support Functions 7.01 7.28 Terrestrial Support Functions 5.51 6.68

Average of Scores x 0.1= 0.49 0.58x acres 12.00 12.00

Function Acres= 5.88 6.96

6.96-5.88= 1.08 credit

At Credit site: Discount 25% (1.08 x .75= 0.81 credit) if the Rehabilitation is not part of a “Wetland Priority Area”.Then, apply multipliers to the acreage of the Impact site:

IMPACT Site No Time Loss Some Time LossNot part of a Wetland Priority Area: acres x 1.5 acres x 2Part of a Wetland Priority Area: acres x 2 acres x 2.5

So, if the Impact site is in a Wetland Priority Area AND buyer is getting credits from an incomplete rehabilitation, then the debit is:

0.54 acres x 2.5 = 1.35 acres (which must be replaced)

A mitigation bank that has finished rehabilitating 1.35 acres could meet this need of the buyer.

* Time Loss= no dirt moved or veg planted yet for rehabilitation

Also – in Oregon:

• Meet sequencing priorities: Avoidance> Minimization> Compensation

• Replace Impact wetland with wetland of same HGM & Cowardin type (usually).

• Replace within the same Service Area (in Oregon= HUC4).

• Compensatory actions must qualify (meet definitions).

• Compensation actions must eventually meet performance criteria (as monitored).

Thank you!

Paul Adamusadamus7@comcast.net

Phone: 541-745-7092 or 541-231-3095