Developing Biological Criteria to Support Tiered Aquatic Life Uses of Wetlands

Authors/Presenter*: R. Jan Stevenson* and Christian A. Parker Michigan State University Department of Zoology East Lansing, MI, 48824 (517) 432-8083; Fax (517) 432-2789 rjstev@msu.edu and Vanessa L. Lougheed University of Texas at El Paso Department. of Biological Sciences 500 W. University Avenue El Paso, TX, 79968

Establishing criteria for protecting or restoring wetlands has often focused on physical and chemical factors which are an incomplete picture of wetland quality. To protect the biological integrity of our nation's waters, identifying criteria based on biological changepoints and multiple taxonomic groups is essential. We used regression tree analysis to identify non-linear biological responses of 3 taxonomic groups (macrophytes, plant-associated zooplankton and epiphytic diatoms) collected from 35 depressional wetlands in the Muskegon River watershed (MI). Multi-metric biotic indices were developed for all 3 taxonomic groups and these indices were combined to reveal biologically-relevant thresholds along a gradient of wetland disturbance. We found these 3 taxonomic groups responded in concert and could be used to classify wetlands into 3 groups: reference sites with little biological change, slightly altered sites where the most sensitive organisms responded (sensitive plants, diatoms), and degraded sites where large-scale changes in community structure occurred which may reflect a shift to an alternate state. For the Muskegon River watershed, in particular, this analysis allowed us to identify sites in need of remedial action, including approximately one-third of the depressional wetlands in the watershed. This study outlines a method for identifying biocriteria that could be used for regulatory purposes. In particular, we recommend the use of community-level metrics (e.g. NMDS, similarity to reference community) in identifying broad-based changes in community composition which may represent shifts to alternate states, as well as the use of sensitive indicators.

The Unique Contribution of Small, Isolated Wetlands to Local and Landscape-level Biodiversity

Authors/Presenter*: Vanessa L. Lougheed University of Texas at El Paso Department of Biological Sciences 500 W. University Avenue El Paso, TX 79968 Mollie D. McIntosh, Christian A. Parker and R. Jan Stevenson* Michigan State University Department of Zoology East Lansing, MI 48824 (517) 432-8083; Fax (517) 432-2789 rjstev@msu.edu

Small, isolated wetlands are currently outside the jurisdiction and protection of many state programs or are protection of these systems is being challenged. Isolation and small size should increase the value of these systems for support of biodiversity because dispersal is constrained and hydrogeomorphic settings can be more diverse. We collected representative samples of 4 taxonomic groups (plants, diatoms, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates) from 14 isolated wetlands that varied in size (small or large) and quality (reference or impacted). We sought to determine whether local-level or landscape-level diversity varied as a function of wetland size or wetland quality. We found no support for the exclusion of small isolated wetlands from protection: small isolated wetlands did not contain fewer species nor only species found in larger wetlands. At the local scale, the size of isolated wetlands played no role in determining species richness, nor within-wetland heterogeneity of any taxonomic group; however, degraded wetlands were significantly more species-poor and homogeneous, regardless of wetland size, for three and four taxonomic groups, respectively. At the landscape scale, we observed that small reference wetlands were unique stores of biodiversity in the landscape. There was reduced overlap in species composition among small, reference wetlands for three taxonomic groups, compared to large, reference wetlands. And, for all taxonomic groups, species-area curves indicated that several small wetlands had increased cumulative species richness than an individual large wetland of similar total size. These results indicate that wetland regulations should protect small wetlands to protect biodiversity.

The Marsh Monitoring Program: Monitoring and Assessing Ecological Integrity of Wetlands in Great Lakes Areas of Concern

Author/Presenter*: Steven T.A. Timmermans* Bird Studies Canada 115 Front Street, P.O. Box 160 Port Rowan, Ontario N0E 1M0 (519) 586-3531; Fax: (519) 586-3532 stimmermans@bsc-eoc.org and Shawn W. Meyer Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada 4905 Dufferin Street Downsview, ON M3H 5T4 (416) 739-4908; Fax: (416) 739-5845 Shawn.Meyer@ec.gc.ca

Many of the Great Lakes region's most significant wetland habitats have either been destroyed or are under considerable environmental stress. In addition to enhancing and creating new wetland habitats, there has been considerable focus and investment to develop means to measure the ecological health and integrity of Great Lakes wetlands in relation to the multiple stressors influencing these systems. The Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP) has operated to involve thousands of volunteer participants to monitor marshes and survey relative population status of dependent bird and anuran species assemblages at large spatial scales. More recently, the MMP has engaged in processes to improve the utility of the program for monitoring and assessing the biological integrity of marsh habitats at regional and local scales. Monitoring wetland habitat status in Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs) has always been a priority for the MMP. The MMP is working to develop its capacity to monitor and report on wetland related Beneficial Use Impairments in AOCs. A summarization of the current status of this work is presented with a view toward helping Remedial Action Plan (RAP) personnel meet their goals to remediate environmental stressors, enhance aquatic habitats, and eventually de-list impaired status of their AOCs.

Functions and Functional Metrics of Northern Forested Wetlands

Author/Presenter: Carl C. Trettin Center for Forested Wetlands Research U.S. Forest Service 2730 Savannah Highway Charleston, SC 29414 ctrettin@fs.fed.us

Wetland forests are integral to the landscape of the Great Lakes Region, comprising a significant proportion of the total wetland area. Hence a functional basis for forested wetland restoration is important to addressing mitigation needs and restoration of prior-converted lands. Forested wetlands encompass a wide range of hydro-geomorphic settings, which is also the most important factor affecting wetland function. Forested wetlands occur in floodplains, flats, depressions, lacustrine fringe zones, with water inputs from both groundwater and precipitation. Understanding this hydro-geomorphic context is fundamental to design of a successful restoration project. Similarly, forested wetland soils can vary from mineral soils to deep organic soils, and their occurrence often co-varies with the hydro-geomorphology. Finally, the vegetative community is inextricably linked to both the soil and hydro-geomorphic setting. The design of a forested wetland restoration project must be based on concise objectives, which will in turn guide the approach and subsequent effectiveness monitoring. Site conditions will influence the type of site preparation required and the appropriate species mix. There are a number of planting techniques including under-planting which yields a multi-story stand quickly, while allowing the establishment of shade-tolerant species. The use of tubes is a good practice protecting seedlings from herbivory and enhancing early growth. Hydrologic monitoring is the most important aspect of post-restoration assessments, because it affects most other wetland functions. The approach will be project dependent, but a common attribute should include water table depth throughout the wetland. The prime difference in a forested wetland restoration project, as compared to shrub or herbaceous communities is the length of time required to achieve closed canopy, forest conditions; which may be 10-20 years in temperate to sub-boreal areas. Accordingly, establishing whether the restoration objectives have been achieved may require a longer assessment period than the 3-5 years which is common.

Wetland Compensatory Mitigation in Wisconsin

Author/Presenter: Patricia A. Trochlell Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources P.O. Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707-7921 (608) 267-2453 Patricia.Trochlell@dnr.state.wi.us

In January 2002 the state of Wisconsin adopted a law allowing the Department of Natural Resources to consider wetland compensatory mitigation in its wetland permitting decisions. The new law attempted to avoid problems identified by other states detailed in the 2001 National Research Council report. Wisconsin's law does not require mitigation for all permitted wetland losses, but allows it to be considered where it makes sense both from a policy and a scientific perspective. Mitigation is not used to compensate for difficult to replace wetlands - those wetlands are protected to the greatest practicable extent. All compensatory mitigation projects must meet strict criteria. A search sequence of on-site first, then off-site is required. All projects must have good plans with documented baseline conditions, detailed site design, minimum 100-foot upland buffer, a conservation easement, financial assurances, quantifiable performance measures, monitoring and long-term management plans. Site conditions are the most critical consideration for project approval. Ecological restorations are encouraged, and nearly all projects have performance measures for maximum allowable invasive plant coverage. Where feasible, the program also encourages restoration of plant communities that typically are not being restored by wetland conservation programs due to higher cost.- like sedge meadows and floodplain forests. Is mitigation working programmatically and on the ground? After 5 years it is too early to tell. Because we require detailed plans, monitoring reports and adaptive management, we are beginning to analyze landscape position, site design, site factors, and management strategies to improve subsequent projects.

Peatlands and Wildlife Regimes in the North American Boreal Forest Region

Author/Presenter: Merritt R. Turetsky Department of Plant Biology and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University (517) 353-5554; Fax: (517-353-1926 mrt@msu.edu; www.plantbiology.msu.edu/turetsky

Boreal regions contain large stocks of soil carbon, mostly in poorly drained areas where peatlands have served as long-term sink for atmospheric carbon. However, it is not clear whether peatlands will continue to sequester carbon under future climate regimes, as soil carbon losses (decomposition, fire consumption) will be subjected to regional changes in fire weather and drought. While the thick organic ground-layers present in many boreal permafrost forests and peatlands (litter, mosses, woody debris, organic soil) burns frequently, rates of surface fuel consumption remains one of the greatest uncertainties in modeling carbon cycling in boreal regions, particularly in peatlands. We are using historical records of fire perimeters and wetland distributions to quantify peatland burn area over the past several decades across boreal Alaska and Canada. As expected, peatland burn areas have showed large temporal and spatial variability, with high fire activity in the early 1980s and mid-1990s. Burn area in peatlands is correlated with components of the Canadian Fire Weather Index System that correspond to drought conditions. To determine how changing drought and fire weather might influence carbon emissions during boreal peat fires, we are using empirical measurements of organic matter combustion and remote sensing of burn severity to investigate patterns of ground-layer consumption across the North American boreal region. Our results to date demonstrate that drought conditions that lower regional water tables and/or increase fire severity in peatlands exacerbate carbon emissions to the atmosphere. While peatlands in North America have served as a long-term carbon sink throughout the Holocene period, accelerated losses of organic matter under warmer and/or drier climatic scenarios could cause much of this stored carbon to be released back to the atmosphere.

Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Fragmentation: Changes in Fish and Invertebrate Communities, and Chemical/Physical Conditions

Authors/Presenter*: Donald G. Uzarski*, Keto Gyekis, and Matthew J. Cooper Grand Valley State University Annis Water Resources Institute Muskegon, MI 49441 616-331-3989 uzarskid@gvsu.edu and Thomas M. Burton Michigan State University Departments of Zoology and Fisheries and Wildlife East Lansing, MI 48824

Great Lakes coastal wetland area has been drastically reduced. Wetlands that remain have been heavily fragmented by anthropogenic activities and continue to be fragmented by development and beach maintenance activities. In 2003, the Michigan Legislature enacted legislation allowing removal of vegetation from exposed bottomlands and from 2 m wide access channels from the shore to open water. These activities have further contributed to the fragmentation of many Great Lakes coastal wetlands. We sampled chemical/physical parameters, micro and macroinvertebrates as well as larval and adult fishes to determine the impacts of wetland fragmentation. We found that removal of vegetation created a conduit for pelagic water to infiltrate the marsh and disrupt ambient chemical/physical conditions. Micro and macroinvertebrate community composition was affected where vegetation was removed as well as into the adjacent intact vegetation. The magnitude of impacts on larval fish communities depended on the potential for waves and currents to advect pelagic water laterally into the intact vegetation from the wetland opening. Areas with intact vegetation tended to have higher juvenile and adult fish diversity. Thus, wetland fragmentation may have substantial and long lasting effects on wetland biota.

Historical Changes and Ecological Impacts To Horicon Marsh

Authors/Presenter*: William K. Volkert* Wildlife Education/Naturalist Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at Horicon Marsh (920) 387-7877; Fax: (920) 387-7888 william.volkert@dnr.state.wi.us and Dan Heim Water Quality Specialist DNR at Horicon Marsh Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at Horicon Marsh

Horicon Marsh is a restored wetland system. A series of alteration took place on this marsh since modern settlement with varying degrees of impacts to the marsh and its wildlife. These include damming and flooding to create a vast lake, over-hunting of ducks during market hunting days and ditching and draining of the marsh to convert it to farmland. The State of Wisconsin began to purchase land and construct a dam beginning in 1927 in order to plug the main drainage ditch and re-flood the marsh. The response of wetland vegetation and wildlife were tremendous, but when only one-third of the marsh had been acquired that State ran out of funds. The federal government began purchasing land in 1941 establishing the a national wildlife refuge. Both of these efforts were aimed at providing habitat for ducks. Additional programs focused on Canada geese, endangered species and today we are moving towards managing this wetland for its biodiversity in an ecosystem context. Over the years changes have taken place in this marsh, marked by an increase in geese, gulls, cattails, carp and other species while at the same time there has been a decline in ducks, coots, northern pike, muskrats among others. Recent monitoring of inflowing water quality (1997 - 2000) measured as much as 21 million pounds of sediment and 130,000 pounds of phosphorous entering Horicon Marsh in one year. These excessive sediment and nutrient inputs are negatively impacting this marsh by creating conditions more favorable for some generalist and invasive species while at the same time reducing opportunities for wetland specialists. This presentation/paper will review these recent and historical changes at Horicon Marsh and describe the dynamics leading to population changes in composition of the flora and fauna at this "Wetland of International Importance" and "Globally Important Bird Area".

Peatlands in a Changing Climate: Ecohydrological Controls on Greenhouse Gas Exchange Following Water Table Drawdown

Authors/Presenter*: J.M Waddington and M. Strack McMaster University School of Geography and Earth Sciences Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada (905) 525-9140 wadding@mcmaster.ca

Peatlands accumulate more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem and the carbon store in temperate, boreal and subarctic peatlands alone has been estimated at 455 Pg (g15), while the gross annual sink of such peatlands is c. 0.1 Pg. The magnitude of peatland response to climatic change remains unknown and the basis of this uncertainty is, in part, because quantitative predictive models do not account for the dynamic change and adaptation that characterise peatland response to disturbance. A rapid change in climate will modify peatland ecohydrology (vegetation-soil-climate processes, surface hydroclimatology) thereby altering the exchange of greenhouse gases with the atmosphere. However, no experimental studies have assessed this dynamic response. We conducted a field-based whole-ecosystem water table draw-down experiment at a poor fen in southern Québec (that simulates what would be expected under a future climate scenario) to quantify changes in ecohydrological controls on peatland carbon biogeochemistry. The water table drawdown resulted in shifts in carbon cycling within the peatland which varied with time and between locations along a microtopographic gradient (microforms). This differential response was the result of initial ecohydrological differences between microforms and changes in the vegetation community over time. Dry hummock microforms and intermediate lawns acted as larger sources of atmospheric CO2 following water table drawdown, while wet hollow microforms were larger sinks of CO2. However, this shift was not initially apparent indicating that after three seasons of water table manipulation the vegetation community was still evolving. CH4 emissions were reduced at hummocks and lawns, but remained similar to those at the control site at hollows. Similarly, following water table drawdown DOC concentrations increased in open water pools and pore water at hollows and lawns while concentrations in hummock pore water declined. This differential response between microforms and the importance of ecological succession for affecting all aspects of the response of peatland carbon cycling to a changing water table indicates the importance of including a changing vegetation community and the composition and distribution of peatland microforms for future predictions regarding the impact of climate change on peatlands.

Fen Wetland Groundwater Recharge Limit Determination and Protection Strategies at the Pulte Homes Carrington Reserve Development in West Dundee, Illinois

Authors/Presenter*: William J. Weaver, P.E.* STS Consultants, Ltd. Vernon Hills, IL and Peter A. Tremulis Pulte Homes Corporation Elgin IL

Without proper planning, the dwindling number of remaining fen wetland areas may be adversely impacted by urbanization. Regulations provide some protections against direct fen impacts; however, indirect impacts to groundwater recharge areas can be just as devastating. Pulte Homes Corporation (Pulte) has recently completed construction of the Carrington Reserve residential development located adjacent to and partially within the recharge area of a fen in West Dundee, Illinois. Pulte implemented a groundwater protection plan that emphasizes Best Management Practices (BMP's) to strike a balance between development and fen preservation. This paper presents a summary of groundwater recharge characteristics at several fen sites and illustrates the complexity and diversity of these areas. Furthermore, the paper presents a case history for the Carrington Reserve site. The Carrington Reserve site design includes an innovative approach to recharge area infiltration balancing. In addition, a wide range of BMP's employed by Pulte address potential adverse impacts within the groundwater recharge zone. Baseline groundwater data collected prior to construction provides a benchmark for future performance monitoring. Future monitoring will provide a basis for making necessary adjustments to BMP's. Future monitoring and maintenance is funded by an escrow account that is partially supported through an open space association of individual property owners. The Pulte project is an example of how responsible development that respects nature can also provide a great place to live. Like a fen wetland area, Carrington Reserve has become a unique place immersed in and surrounded by a rich and diverse environment. Keywords: riparian protection, fen, BMP, stormwater management, groundwater recharge

Walpole Island Wet Lands, Anishnaabe Legacy

Author/Presenter: Dave White Director Walpole Island Heritage Centre Walpole Island First Nation RR#3 Wallacebirg ON N8A 4K9 Canada (519) 627-1475; Fax (519) 627-1530 dave.white@wifn.org

Walpole Island is inhabited by the peoples of the Three Fires Confederacy, the Potawatomi, Odawa and Ojibwe Nations. The Islands are Aboriginal Title Lands that is lands, that have never been surrendered or subject to and treaty with any domestic or foriegn government. We have occupoed there Islands and surrounding territories since time immemorial. The wet lands here are comprised of 17,000 acres on marsh and mesic prairie. The people of Walpole Island hae lived off the wets lands for thousands of years and still do. These wet lands form the backbone of the number one sector of our economy. However they are under a lot of pressure owing to cultural changes, invasive species and climate change.

Evaluating the Potential of Wetland Restoration as a Method of Improving Water Quality in Eutrophic Lakes

Authors/Presenter*: Scott B. Bell, P.E, DEE and M. Catherine Whiting* Limno-Tech, Inc. 501 Avis Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48108 (734) 332-1200; Fax: (734) 332-1212 cwhiting@limno.com

The water quality benefits of natural wetlands are well documented and can include, among other things, general reduction in nutrient concentrations in water. This attribute of wetlands has made them an attractive alternative for storm water managers seeking to reduce nutrient loading to surface waters on a site scale. However, relatively little work has been done related to the use of large-scale constructed or restored wetlands for water quality improvement on a watershed scale. This presentation examines the idea of large-scale wetland restoration as a potential tool for reducing nutrient loading to lakes, in order to meet water quality goals set by total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) or watershed management plans. The possibilities and limitations of the approach will be discussed and a case study will presented in which a computer model is used to simulate nutrient loading and trophic state response of an actual lake in western Michigan. The analysis will simulate existing conditions and the potential benefits of large-scale wetland restoration will be modeled and quantified. The presentation will address, and attempt to quantify, the limitations to wetland restoration as a water quality improvement tool. It will also suggest some guidelines when considering wetland restoration for such purposes and will identify areas for further research on the subject.

How invasive cattail changes North American wetlands

Authors/Presenter*: Radka Wildova*, D.E. Goldberg Department of Ecology and Evolution University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI, 48109 (734) 936-2173; Fax: (734) 763-0544 radka@umich.edu A. A. Snow, P.M. Sweeney Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology Ohio State University Columbus, OH, 43210 and N.C. Tuchman Department of Biology Loyola University Chicago, IL, 60626

Our research is aimed at understanding the ecology of invasions of North American wetlands by both the European cattail, Typha angustifolia, and the hybrid produced by the crossing of that species with the native North American species, T. latifolia. Very little is known about the mechanisms by which either T. angustifolia or the hybrid (known as "T. x glauca") invade, how fast they disperse, or which characteristics allow particular wetlands to be invaded. The lack of data is at least in part due to the difficulty of distinguishing the hybrid from the parent species in the field. However, we have developed a reliable set of field identification characteristics, confirmed by DNA markers, enabling us to collect rigorous ecological data to compare the cattail taxa. Using these identification criteria, we have been relating the distribution of the different taxa to habitat characteristics of Northern Michigan wetlands, including water level, nutrient and light levels, native vegetation, and anthropogenic disturbance. Going beyond correlative associations, we are separating causes and consequences of invasion by conducting manipulative experiments in wetlands as well as in controlled greenhouse and garden settings. Our long term goal is to combine these different approaches to predict which wetland habitats in Northern Michigan are most susceptible to invasion, enabling managers to develop scientifically-based strategies to deal with this threat.

Determining Hydrological Function of Large Great Lakes Wetlands Using an Integrated Hydrogeomorphic and Remote Sensing Approach

Authors/Presenter*: Dan Wiitala*, Peter Sabee, Kari Paulson, and Andrew Maracini North Jackson Company P.O. Box 218 1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Suite 102 Marquette, MI 49855 (906) 225-6787, Ext. 2; Fax: (906) 225-6769 dwiitala@northjacksonco.com

Qualitative mapping techniques for the presence/absence of wetlands are well prescribed by federal and state regulatory programs. It is also well known that large wetland complexes present in Great Lakes watersheds occur in a wide variety of physical settings and can vary widely in their size, appearance and vegetative compositions. Classification of Great Lakes region wetland types (Chadde, 1998) contain underlying hydrological systems that support the hydrodynamics of the wetlands (e.g open water communities, seasonally wet basins, bog, swamp, and fen) but basic wetland delineation techniques are typically confined to using vegetation surveys, soil surveys, and only qualitative descriptions of indicators of inundated or saturated soils (i.e. wetland hydrology) under most regulatory programs. Larger and more complex projects often require a quantitative understanding of the fundamental hydrodynamics and hydrogeomorphology of wetlands in order to develop good hydrological models for predictions of vulnerability to hydrological changes in the watershed. This is particularly important in assessing environmental impacts from proposed large development projects where water resource use is a key issue. This paper presents a case study on the use of hydrological data (stream stage and flow, groundwater potentiometric data and flow gradients, groundwater and stream geochemistry) integrated with standard field-surveyed and remotely-sensed wetland delineation data and plant community mapping, and its use in predictive modeling for developments planned near large Great Lakes wetland complexes. Using quantitative hydrological data wetlands can also be classified and mapped according to a hydrogeomorphic system (e.g. Brinson, 1993) which helps to understand how proposed projects may, or may not, affect the existing hydrological functions of wetlands.

Seasonal Use of Snags and Downed-Logs by Vertebrates in a Small Depressional Wetland in Southeast Michigan

Author/Presenter: Richard A. Wolinski Michigan Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Planning 425 W. Ottawa Street Lansing, MI 48909 (517) 335-2633; Fax: (517) 373-9255 WolinskiR@michigan.gov

The use and importance of snags and downed-logs (course woody debris) has received attention by foresters and biologists attempting to understand and maintain biological diversity within forested upland tracts. Little attention has been devoted to such use in isolated depressional wetlands in the Upper Midwest. The value of smaller, isolated, wetlands in supporting vertebrate biological diversity is just now becoming an area of directed research effort. A small 3.1 acre wetland located along a paved rural secondary road was studied during the years of 2003, 2004, and 2005. Vertebrate use of the wetland, specifically course woody debris, was documented to determine the extent of use by vertebrate species, especially birds, during the annual cycle. Implications of these observations to wetland mitigation design and enhancement activities will be discussed as a practical means to restore some wildlife habitat functions.

Landscape Evaluation of Reed Canarygrass Invasiveness in Compensatory Mitigation Wetlands

Author/Presenter: R. Douglas Workman King & MacGregor Environmental, Inc. 2520 Woodmeadow SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (616) 957-1231; Fax: (616) 957-2198 workman2@msu.edu

Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) is considered an invasive species and is typically problematic to meeting compensatory mitigation wetland performance standards established by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), which regulates wetlands in Michigan. We investigated wetland vegetation, soil chemistry, hydrology, and landscape features in 18 Michigan Department of Transportation compensatory mitigation wetlands located throughout the Lower Peninsula of Michigan to identify features that may influence P. arundinacea invasiveness. P. arundinacea was observed in 17 of the wetlands and was observed at an aerial coverage of 10% or greater (MDEQ compensatory mitigation wetland performance standard) in 10 of the wetlands, and was observed in sample areas adjacent to 16 of the wetlands. The average aerial coverage of P. arundinacea within the wetlands was 43.4% and was highly variable among sample plots containing P. arundinacea (n = 172, s2 = 1,194%). The average aerial coverage of P. arundinacea within sample areas adjacent to the wetlands was 35.8% and was also highly variable (n = 107, s2 = 973%), but was not significantly different from what was observed in the wetlands (P = 0.65, F = 1.29, df = 244). Among all features we investigated, crop land (P < 0.001, F = 5.83, df = 7) and orchard (P = 0.04, F = 2.50, df = 6) agriculture land-use categories were the strongest indicators of P. arundinacea invasiveness, with each land use feature expressing a significant positive relation with the area of P. arundinacea within wetlands and explaining 40% and 19% of the model variation respectively. Our study serves as an example of the ubiquitous nature of this invasive species by documenting its occurrence over a wide range of environmental conditions. In addition, our study identifies conflicting land management practices, such as recommended plantings of this species within agricultural areas for fodder and erosion control that may affect the practicability of controlling this species to an acceptable level in constructed wetlands.

Reclamation of Tailings Basins by Creating Wetlands for Compensatory Mitigation at the Republic Iron Mine, Marquette County, Michigan

Authors/Presenter*: R.D. Workman, M.P. Owens, C.L. Wolverton*, and G.J. Goodman King & MacGregor Environmental, Inc. 2520 Woodmeadow SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (616) 957-1231; Fax: (616) 957-2198 workman2@msu.edu

Iron mining in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has unavoidably impacted regulated wetlands. State and federal laws require these wetland impacts be mitigated by the creation or restoration of compensatory wetlands. Integrating wetland creation with tailings basin reclamation provided the necessary wetland acreage for regulatory compliance. The properties of the tailings and the design of the basins provided not only a suitable medium and location for wetland creation, but also presented substantial challenges. The creation of new wetlands required manipulation of the water levels within the basins and careful wetland design. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality permits required creating emergent, scrub/shrub, and forested wetland communities on neutral tailings. Numerous planting and seeding techniques were used to establish the different plant communities. These techniques included dormant seeding, drill seeding, aerial seeding, and transplanting wetland vegetation. Cover crops of Japanese millet (Echinochloa crusgalli) and red-top grass (Argrostis alba) were used in conjunction with hay mulch minimize erosion and sequester wind blown seeds from the surrounding native areas. Forested wetlands were established by transplanting wetland tree species at specific tree densities to compensate for expected mortality. The established wetland communities were monitored annually for a period five years to document the successful development of vegetation, hydrology, and wildlife in accordance with reclamation success criteria.

USACE Airborne Coastal Mapping in the Great Lakes

Author/Presenter: Jennifer Wozencraft U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise 109 St. Joseph Street Mobile, AL 36602 (334) 690-3466 jennifer.wozencraft@us.army.mil

The Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise coordinates the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) National Coastal Mapping Program (NCMP). USACE Headquarters sponsors this program to provide its engineers and scientists with lidar elevation data and shoreline imagery on a cyclical basis to support construction and operations in the coastal zone. This summer the NCMP survey area includes the U.S. shorelines of Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and eastern Lake Michigan. Specification for the NCMP is: bathymetric lidar data from the shoreline to 1 km offshore or to laser extinction; topographic lidar data from the shoreline to 500 m inland; and RGB orthomosaics. Bathy/topo ASCII XYZ data are the primary lidar product from which ArcGIS grids, bare earth models, NAVD88 shorelines, and building footprints are generated. All data and products are provided to the USACE districts, and the XYZ data are available online through NOAA Coastal Services Center Lidar Data Retrieval Tool (LDART). Data for the NCMP are collected with the Compact Hydrographic Operational Airborne Total Survey (CHARTS) system. A CHARTS system upgrade completed in 2005 included an increase in hydrographic laser pulse rate to 3 kHz, an increase in topographic laser pulse rate to 20 kHz, and integration of a Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager (CASI)-1500 hyperspectral imager with the SHOALS system. The CASI-1500 was designed by Itres of Calgary, and shares an optical bench, view window, and position/orientation data stream with the laser system. Since acceptance, CHARTS has collected topographic lidar data concurrently with hyperspectral imagery for: invasive species mapping at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station; wetland mapping near Seabrook, New Hampshire, Wells Harbor, Maine, and Duxbury, Massachusetts; and to baseline the environmental impacts of flooding around Lake Pontchartrain, along the Mississippi River levees, and along the Mississippi and Alabama barrier islands following Hurricane Katrina. This presentation will outline the Great Lakes data collection and show some examples of how similar data sets were used for environmental characterization in other areas.

Prescribed Burn Observations in Fen Communities at Fort Custer Training Center

Authors/Presenter*: Daniel L. Zay*, Natalie A. Dingledine and Meghan D.C. McDowell LZ Michigan, Inc. 1425 Keystone Avenue Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 393-6800 dzay@dlz.com

As part of an integrated resource management plan, DLZ has conducted management activities at two high quality fens located at Fort Custer Training Center in Augusta, Michigan. DLZ has participated in annual burns of the fens in addition to conducting pre and post burn monitoring. Prescribed fire was used in the fens to control invasive, exotic species and to reintroduce fire as an ecological influence in the habitats. Post burn monitoring indicated that the fens responded well to the effects of the burn. Grass species appeared robust with summer flowering forbs also displaying vigorous growth. Where fire pushed into shrub areas the shrub canopy was reduced allowing regeneration of the herb layer. Successive burns will be required to balance the shrub growth in the fens. Two species new to the flora of the facility were identified during the monitoring effort. These species responded positively to the increase in sunlight reaching the ground layer.

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