Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland...
Transcript of Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland...
![Page 1: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Slide 1
Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions
Richard Weber Wetland Hydraulic Engineer Wetland Team CNTSC, Fort Worth, TX
![Page 2: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Slide 2
Goals and Assumptions: •Need to Spatially Define Wetland Landscapes •Landscapes can be Delineated by Function •Wetland Functions are Dominated by Hydrology •Hydrologic Function and Soil Attributes are Interrelated •Landscapes Exist as Watershed Elements •Within a Certain “Reference Domain”, Landscapes can be Categorized by Position and Function •Landscapes can be used to BUILD WATERSHEDS
![Page 3: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Slide 3
Available Data Sources and Classification Systems:
•Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database
•Raster Data •Vector Polygons •Large Attribute Database
•Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Classification System •Ecological Site Descriptions •Digital Elevation Data (DED)
•30m and 10m •High Resolution (LIDAR, IFSAR, etc.)
![Page 4: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Slide 4
Cowardin Classification
Based on: • Hydrologic Regime • Plant Community • Broad Landscape Attributes (Riverine, Tidal,
Other)
Works well for: • Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries • Drawing polygons from remotely sensed imagery
Works less well for: • Analysis of landscape function • Use in the Watershed Approach
Newer Efforts: • HGM Informed Cowardin Classification (LLWW)
![Page 5: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Slide 5
Ecological Site Descriptions:
An ecological site is a conceptual division of the landscape, defined as a “distinctive kind of land based on recurring soil, landform, geological, and climate characteristics that differs from other kinds of land in its ability to produce distinctive kinds and amounts of vegetation and in its ability to respond similarly to management actions and natural disturbances • Vegetation Based • NRCS, USFS, and BLM Effort
![Page 6: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Hydrogeomorphic Landscape Classes
Slide 6
•Originally for Development of “Functional Assessment Models” (Brinson, et. al.) •Starts with 7 Wetland Classes •Requires the Determination of a “Reference Domain” where a certain “subclass” exists •Function Based
![Page 7: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Three Factors that Define HGM Landscape Classes
Slide 7
•Landscape Position in the watershed •Dominant Water Source •Hydrodynamics
![Page 8: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
The Seven HGM Classes
Slide 8
•RIVERINE •SLOPE •MINERAL SOIL FLAT •ORGANIC SOIL FLAT •ESTUARINE FRINGE •LACUSTRINE FRINGE •DEPRESSION
Depressional Carolina Bay
Estuarine Fringe Oregon
Slope Puerto Rico
Mineral Flats Indiana Flatwoods
Subclasses in a local Reference Domain
![Page 9: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Merging ESD and HGM Concepts
Slide 9
•Landscape Boundaries based on similar soil hydrodynamic processes •Site Concepts are valid up to the Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) Extent •Ecological Sites for Wetland Landscapes and HGM landscape classifications are the same •Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent •Sites may contain landscapes with certain HGM class wetlands, but are NOT wetland boundaries
![Page 10: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Slide 10
Basic Data, Tools, and Skillset:
• SSURGO (raster or vector, and tabular data)
• Digital Elevation Data • GIS Software • Knowledge of Spatial Analyst Tools • Knowledge of SSURGO dataset • MLRA Boundary Data • HUC Boundary Data • Aerial Imagery
![Page 11: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Slide 11
Major Land Resource Areas
Site Concept Valid Within MLRA Extent (or subdivision of MLRA)
![Page 12: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Slide 12
Map Unit Polygons
![Page 13: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Slide 13
Occasionally Flooded Polygons
Map Unit Aggregation
![Page 14: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Slide 14
HUC-12 in MLRA 103 Northeast Kansas
• “Headwater” HUC • Similar to other Headwater
HUC in MLRA 103 “Reference Domain”
![Page 15: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Slide 15
Same Map Units Correlate to Similar Landscapes in Adjacent HUCS (Same MLRA)
Floodplain Landscape
![Page 16: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Slide 16
Landscape Boundaries - RIVERINE
Kennebec Moderately Well Drained Occasionally Flooded Natural Levee?
Wabash Occasionally Flooded Poorly Drained Backswamp?
![Page 17: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Slide 17
Problem! – Stream Functions Vary with Scale
2nd Order Kennebec
5th Order Kennebec
Map Unit Dis-Aggregation
![Page 18: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
RIVERINE – Dominant Water Source – Stream Hydrograph
Slide 18
Hydroperiod
SSURGO Water Features •Flooding •Ponding •Groundwater
![Page 19: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Slide 19
RIVERINE – Surface Flooding
![Page 20: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Slide 20
RIVERINE Soil System • One Complex Site? • Several Simple Sites?
![Page 21: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Slide 21
Stratification by Scale – Flow Accumulation
Green – 5 to 50 Ac. Yellow – 50 to 250 Ac. Orange – 250 to 1000 Ac. Red – 1000 to 2500 Ac.
![Page 22: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Slide 22
Map Unit Disaggregation by Scale
Site A 5-50 Ac.
Site B 50-250 Ac.
![Page 23: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
SLOPE – Headwater Reaches
Slide 23
• Dominant Water Source – Groundwater
• No geomorphic Channel
• Vegetated
![Page 24: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Slide 24
Landscape Functional Break: SLOPE to RIVERINE HGM Class
Blue – Ackmore Colo Complex, Endoaqolls, Upland Drainageways – SLOPE Class
Green – Floodplains
![Page 25: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Slide 25
SLOPE Wetlands – Unique Functions
•Aquifer Storage/groundwater discharge •Sequestration of Organic Carbon •Critical Upland Water Sources •Downstream Baseflow Maintenance
Kansas Headwater
Idaho Headwater Fen
New York Headwater Fen
![Page 26: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Slide 26
SLOPE Wetland Before “Restoration”
![Page 27: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Slide 27
SLOPE Wetland After “Restoration”
![Page 28: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Slide 28
MINERAL FLAT and DEPRESSION Brown – MINERAL FLATS • Interfluves (geomorphic desc.) • 0-2% Slope Class • Poorly Drained
Yellow – DEPRESSION • Depressions (geomorphic desc.) • Ponding Frequency and
Duration
![Page 29: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Slide 29
Extent Map
Landscape Mapping - Mineral Flats
By definition: • Below Flow
Accumulation Threshold
• Outside the Watershed Network
![Page 30: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Slide 30
Headwater SLOPE Wayne County, Iowa Yellow Reaches – Slope Green, Purple Polygons – Mineral Flats
![Page 31: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Slide 31
Stratigraphic SLOPE Lucas County, Iowa Yellow Reaches – Slope Green, Reaches – Mineral Flats Red – Stratigraphic SLOPE
![Page 32: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Slide 32
Potential Bog Turtle Habitat “Typic Endoaquults Groundwater Dominated Soils In Low Stream Order Landscapes
![Page 33: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
MINERAL SOIL FLAT Dominant Water Source- Direct Precipitation
Slide 33
![Page 34: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Slide 34
Nebraska Rainwater Basin – Recharge Depression
Wyoming – Recharge Depression, Gillette
South Dakota Prairie Pothole
South Carolina – Carolina Bay
DEPRESSIONAL
![Page 35: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Slide 35
DEPRESSIONAL Dominant Water Source – Surface Runoff and/or Groundwater
![Page 36: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Slide 36
Texas Playas – Recharge Randall Clay
South Dakota Prairie Potholes – Recharge, Discharge, and Flowthrough
Depressional- Default if not found on other HGM class
![Page 37: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
Slide 37
Extent Map Issues
• Soil Mapping on County Scope
• Attributes are not Always Consistent
Ecological Site Extent Map of: • Calcareous Marsh • Calcareous Wet Prairie
Only Map Units Used
![Page 38: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Slide 38
Sub Map Project Extent (County)
Red • Calcareous Wet Prairie EDS • Mineral Flat HGM Green • Calcareous Marsh ESD • Depression HGM
![Page 39: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Slide 39
Generalized Landscape Map
![Page 40: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Slide 40
Some Useful Soil Attributes from SSURGO:
• Geomorphic Description • Drainage Class • Slope Class • Taxonomy • Water Features
• Flooding Freq. and Dur. • Ponding Freq. and Dur. • Groundwater Depths
Useful Database Tables: • Component • Map Unit • Map Unit Aggregated
Attributes (muaggat)
![Page 41: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Slide 41
• Flow Accumulation • Stream Order (Strahler,
Shreve) • Reach Slope • Concavity • Wetness Index
Some Useful Spatial Analyst Derivatives from DEM:
![Page 42: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Slide 42
• Use the best of “Worldwide” Classification Systems for Landscapes, Streams, Wetlands, Etc. • Cowardin • Rosgen
• Use Existing Spatial Definitions for Land as Part of the Local Classification • HGM Subclass • Ecological Site
• Description Includes • Where it’s at – MLRA • Spatial Context – Flow Accumulation, Stream Order • What part of the Watershed it Occupies • What hydrologic process it performs – recharge,
discharge, runoff, runon • Extent map
The Vision:
![Page 43: Mapping Wetlands Using Ecological Site Descriptions€¦ · Mapping jurisdictional wetland boundaries ... Valid Site Concepts can be mapped across the MLRA Extent • Sites may contain](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022090606/605c188ccac781686769556e/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Slide 43
Thanks!
NRCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider
Questions?