ASWM: Wetland Science

(Last updated on 7/22/10.)

	Hot Topics in Wetland Science

	~New~ 2010 Gulf Oil Spill Disaster's Effect on Wetlands Vernal Pool Training & Monitoring Events Wetlands Mapping Standard ASWM has added a new webpage with more detailed information and additional links on the new Wetlands Mapping Standard. Widlife-Friendly Stream and Undercrossing Research Wetlands & Climate Change Sudden Wetland Dieback (aka Coastal Wetland Dieback) Floodplains

	ASWM Forthcoming Publications

	ASWM Electronic Publications for Review and Comment

	List of electronic ASWM publications that are currently in draft for review and comment or soon to be available. CLICK HERE

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	Publications

	Release of the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Publication UNEP – 2010 Dead Planet, Living Planet: Biodiversity & Ecosystem Restoration for Sustainable Development edited by Christian Nellemann and Emily Corcoran and distributed as part of the UNEP World Environment Day on June 5, this report confirms that restoration is not only possible but can prove highly profitable in terms of public savings; returns and the broad objectives of overcoming poverty and achieving sustainability. It also provides important recommendations on how to avoid pitfalls and how to minimize risks to ensure successful restoration. The book is part of UNEP’s evolving work on the challenges but also the inordinate opportunities from a transition to a low carbon, resource efficient Green Economy. To read more and to download this publication, go to: http://environment.com/

	Wetlands, Hurricanes and the Economy: The Value of Restoring the Mississippi River Delta (2010) Earth Economics recently released a new report entitled, “Wetlands, Hurricanes and the Economy: The Value of Restoring the Mississippi River Delta.” “As the great Mississippi River Delta disappears, so do the ecosystems, economies and people that it holds. The Mississippi River is the solution. It has the water, sediment and energy to rebuild land, defend against hurricanes and again provide habitat, safety, livelihood, and prosperity. We must look to the natural functioning of the delta to guide us in restoration,” writes John Day, one of the report’s authors. For full report, go to: http://www.eartheconomics.org/FileLibrary/file/Reports/Louisiana/Earth_Economics_ Report_on_the_Mississippi_River_Delta_compressed.pdf

	Planting Wetlands and Dams: A Practical Guide to Wetland Design, Construction and Propagation, Second Edition (2010) http://ebook30.com/science/biology-and-genetics/210245/planting-wetlands-and-dams-a-practical-guide-to-wetland-design-construction-and-propagation-second-edition.html

	New Report on Buffers Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission – 2010 The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) recently published a report on buffers. The document, Managing the Water's Edge: Making Natural Connections was developed to communicate important and up-to-date information and concepts related to riparian buffers in order to help protect and restore water quality, wildlife, recreational opportunities, and scenic beauty. http://www.sewrpc.org/SEWRPCFiles/Environment/RecentPublications/ ManagingtheWatersEdge-brochure.pdf

	Valuing ecosystem services from wetlands restoration in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley Cost-Benefit News – March 16, 2010 Authors: W. Aaron Jenkins, Brian C. Murray, Randall A. Kramer and Stephen P. Faulkner. This study assesses the value of restoring forested wetlands via the U.S. government's Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley by quantifying and monetizing ecosystem services. The three focal services are greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation, nitrogen mitigation, and waterfowl recreation. Site- and region-level measurements of these ecosystem services are combined with process models to quantify their production on agricultural land, which serves as the baseline, and on restored wetlands. For full article, go to: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VDY-4Y40TGX-1&_user=10&_coverDate=03%2F15%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig= search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_url Version=0&_userid=10&md5=7deac6ca63a3f7ff00e9db6a621ff64a

	Tidal effects on net ecosystem exchange of carbon in an estuarine wetland By H. Guo, A. Noormets, B. Zhao, J. Chen, G. Sun, Y. Gu, B. Li, J. Chen – Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology – 2009 One year of continuous data from two eddy-flux towers established along an elevation gradient in coastal Shanghai was analyzed to evaluate the tidal effect on carbon flux (Fc) over an estuarine wetland. To read full article, go to: http://www.forestthreats.org/publications/sgcp/asko-noormets/Tidal_effects_on_net_ ecosystem_exchange_of_carbon_in_an_estuarine_wetland.pdf

	Prairie Fen Wetlands Guide Michigan Natural Features Inventory – 2009 The Michigan Natural Features Inventory and Michigan State University Extension put together the 106-page guide. It includes photos and illustrations of prairie fens and describes noteworthy plants and animals found in them. Fens are biologically diverse habitats within depressions in the hills of the southern Lower Peninsula. They are dominated by sedges and grasses and form the headwaters of many lakes and streams. The guidebook discusses ecology and conservation of fens and shows where to visit them. Copies are available for $10 from the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. To order a copy of this guide, go to: http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/

	Recommendations for a National Wetlands and Climate Change Initiative ASWM has posted Recommendations for a National Wetlands and Climate Change Initiativebased on Wetlands 2008: Wetlands and Global Climate Change, held on September 16-18, 2008 in Portland, Oregon.

	New Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Jersey Authors: Allen E. Barlow, Jim Bangma and David Golden – 2009. Developed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife. It features detailed characteristics of 182 species, 334 full-color photos, when and where to find each species, and which species are endangered, threatened or historic, and even how to photograph them. For a related press release, go to: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/cape_may/article_77d1bb41-b1c3-531a-a5a2-70972c3d3113.html To order the guide, visit: http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/support/cwf/publications.html

	New Wetland Plant Guide The Swamp School has announced a new Wetland Plant Guide. It is a very useful field guide to wetland plants and their USFWS wetland indicators. To download a free copy, visit: http://swampschool.org/

	New Stormwater Research Report Available “Flow Control and Water Quality Treatment Performance of a Residential Low Impact Development Pilot Project in Western Washington.” This report documents the results from one of the first low impact development (LID) monitoring efforts in the Puget Sound region. It is one of a few projects nationally to evaluate the performance of LID practices when integrated into a residential stormwater management system. LID practices used in the project design include bioretention swales, permeable concrete, compost amended soils, and surface flow dispersion. To download the full report, please visit the “Publications” section at www.werf.org or www.ndwrcdp.org. This report is available to the public at no charge.

	Special Issue Fish & Wildlife News – Migratory Birds The Summer 2009 Issue of the Fish & Wildlife News features a special topic: migratory birds. The report documents a 40 percent decline in grassland birds over the past 40 years, a 30 percent decline in birds of arid-lands, and high concern for many coastal shorebirds. Further, 39 percent of species dependent on U.S. ocean areas have declined. However, the report also reveals convincing evidence that bird populations can respond quickly and positively to conservation action. The data show dramatic increases in many wetland birds such as pelicans, herons, egrets, osprey, and ducks, a testament to the numerous cooperative conservation partnerships that have resulted in protection, enhancement and management of more than 30 million wetland acres in recent years. For a direct link to this publication, go to: http://www.fws.gov/news/pdf/News_Su09_web.pdf Report Documents the Risks of Giant Invasive Snakes in the U.S. Contact: Catherine Puckett – USGS Press Release – October 13, 2009 Five giant non-native snake species would pose high risks to the health of ecosystems in the United States should they become established here, according to a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report released recently. The USGS report details the risks of nine non-native boa, anaconda and python species that are invasive or potentially invasive in the United States. Because all nine species share characteristics associated with greater risks, none was found to be a low ecological risk. Two of these species are documented as reproducing in the wild in South Florida, with population estimates for Burmese pythons in the tens of thousands. For full press release with photos of snakes, go to: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2324 IPCC’s Technical Paper on Climate Change & Water Bates, B.C., Z.W. Kundzewicz, S. Wu and J.P. Palutikof, Eds. 2008 Due, in part, to their limited capacity for adaptation, wetlands are considered to be among the ecosystems most vulnerable to climate change. http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_ data/publications_and_data_technical_papers_ climate_change_and_water.htm Mangrove Field of Dreams: If We Build it, Will they Come? By Roy “Robin” Lewis III – Society of Wetlands Research Brief 2009-0005 – July 2009 Mangrove forests are ecologically impor-tant coastal ecosystems composed of one or more of the 69 species of salt tolerant trees and shrubs. The evidence for successful restoration of mangroves on any large scale, however, is nearly non-existent. For a link to this article on mangrove restoration, go to: http://www.sws.org/ResearchBrief/Lewis_061209.pdf Field Guide to Tidal Wetland Plants of the Northeastern United States and Neighboring Canada By Ralph Tiner – University of Massachusetts Press Tiner has assembled descriptions and line drawings of 150 vascular plants common in coastal habitats, including rocky shores, tidal flats, salt marshes, brackish marshes, tidal swamps, and coastal aquatic beds. An additional 130 species are referred to briefly. . . . The book is very suitable for its intended audience of nontechnical persons interested in coastal habitats such as conservation commissioners, environmental consultants, and students in botany, ecology, and environmental science. Inclusion of maps and descriptions of places with good public access to observe coastal wetlands is very valuable. For a link to this publication on Amazon, go to: http://www.amazon.com/Wetland-Plants-Northeastern-United-Neighboring/dp/155849667X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246288156&sr=1-1 West Coast Regional Marine Research and Information Needs, Report A recent report, West Coast Regional Marine Research and Information Needs, identifies that the West Coast critically needs more research on fisheries, ocean health, coastal hazards and climate change, among other topics, to support and protect the region's annual $32-billion ocean-related economy. The report, prepared by the region's four Sea Grant programs, outlines eight key regional research areas, as well as three "cross-cutting" themes, in support of the action plan of the 2006 West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health. The report, produced by California Sea Grant, USC Sea Grant, Oregon Sea Grant and Washington Sea Grant, is the culmination of nearly three years of input from state, federal and tribal agencies, as well as extensive public comment gathered from Web surveys and at 16 workshops held in California, Oregon and Washington in 2007-08. To read the report: http://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/research/RegionalPlanning. Wetlands and Gobal Climate Change by Leah Stetson, ASWM (2/07) Climate Change and Alaskan Wetlands by Jim Powell, University of Alaska (3/07) Developing Performance Standards for the Mitigation and Restoration of Northern Forested Wetlands by Jon Kusler, Ph.D., Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. (08-01-06) The science of restoring forested wetlands in the north has lagged behind bottomland hardwoods and other forested wetland types. ASWM is developing a white paper to sum marize existing information on restoration of these wetlands, identify specific gaps in knowledge and make recommendations to improve our understanding of how to restore northern forested wetlands. Common Questions: Wetland, Climate Change, and Carbon Sequestering by Jon Kusler, Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. (06/26/06) For other Common Questions Brochures on wetland science topics, go to: http://www.aswm.org/propub/common_questions/brochures.htm Common Questions: Wetland Restoration, Creation, and Enhancement by Jon Kusler, Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. (06/26/06) Multi-Objective Wetland Restoration in Watershed Contexts by Jon Kusler, Ph.D., Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. (11/1/04) This report focuses on multi-objective wetland restoration projects. Fifteen case study profiles are included. Common Questions Pertaining to Establishing a Wetland and Watershed Management Plan by Jon Kusler, Jennifer Brady-Connor, and Nan Stolzenberg (2001) The Effect of River Pulsing on Sedimentation and Nutrients in Created Riparian Wetlands By *Amanda M. Nahlik^ and William J. Mitsch. Journal of Environmental Quality, June 23, 2008.** Sedimentation under pulsed and steady-flow conditions was investigated in two created flow-through riparian wetlands in central Ohio over 2 yr. Hydrologic pulses of river water lasting for 6 to 8 d were imposed on each wetland from January through June during 2004. Mean inflow rates during pulses averaged 52 and 7 cm d^–1between pulses. For a link to this publication, visit: http://jeq.scijournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/37/4/1634

	Conservation Tactics to Help Fish and Wildlife Thrive Featured in New Bibliography

	By Marcia Wood – USDA News – January 5, 2009 A new bibliography of publications about effects of conservation practices on dozens of different kinds of North American fish and wildlife is now available free of charge from the National Agricultural Library. The bibliography lists scientific journal articles, technical reports, and other documents published mostly from 2000 to 2007. Dozens of different kinds of wildlife--badger, bear, beaver, deer, ducks, grouse, songbirds and more--are included, as are many species of fish such as largemouth bass, walleye, salmon and trout. For a link to the bibliography, go to: http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/ceap/ceap07.shtml For the complete press release, visit: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090105.2.htm

	Restoring wetlands not so costly, Univ. of Alberta study By Hanneke Brooymans – Edmonton Journal – June 14, 2009 Wetlands in Western Canada could be restored at a much lower cost than might be expected, a University of Alberta study suggests. The wetlands that would be created are nothing fancy. Basically, a drainage ditch could be blocked to allow water to back up in a field. This is a method used by the conservation group Ducks Unlimited. Wetlands are vital habitat for waterfowl, but also act as buffers during times of flooding, allowing the landscape to hold extra water. They also clean bacteria and excess nutrients out of the water that flows into them. The cost for a test group of Manitoba farmers came out to an average of$400 per acre($1,000 per hectare) to restore a previously drained wetland on their properties, said Katherine Packman, a master's student in the department of rural economy. For full press release, go to: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Restoring+wetlands+costly+study/1692635/story.html

	New Wisconsin Land Use & Wetlands Guide The Wisconsin Wetlands Association just has put out a new piece, Land Use and Wetlands: A Local Decision Makers' Guide to Wetland Conservation. This is a helpful guide providing information on explaining wetlands to the public. It also has a great deal of information that land-use decision makers in local governments/municipalities and counties will find useful. To view the guide, visit: http://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/localgovs.htm For landowner guides from other states, visit: http://www.aswm.org/fwp/consultant/index.htm#guides

	Gulf Restoration Network Releases "Clean Up Your Act!" Report The Gulf Restoration Network, a long time Clean Water Network member, recently released a report entitled, "Clean Up Your Act!" The report gives grades to each of the five Gulf states based on how they incorporate various important sections of the Clean Water Act in their state rules. Overall scores were very low, with the average being a D+. The scores range from a C- to an F, which indicates that the Gulf states are not living up to their obligations under the Clean Water Act. Failure by the Gulf states to address these issues and use the Clean Water Act to its full extent leaves many waters unprotected and vulnerable to pollution and other abuses. To read the report, go to: http://healthygulf.org/images/stories/pdfs/reports/healthy_waters/gulf_states_report_ card_2009.pdf

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	News

	Using Sound Science, Fish and Wildlife Service Addresses Urgent Habitat Needs for Birds and Other Wildlife Along the Gulf Coast (Wet Sci) FWS News Release – July 8, 2010 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is coordinating efforts along the Gulf Coast to safeguard wildlife such as shorebirds, waterfowl, marsh birds, sea birds and sea turtles from the effects of oil. Working closely with state, federal and non-government partners, the Service is identifying the most pressing habitat needs of these at-risk species, recommending strategic habitat conservation activities to address those needs, and helping to implement projects along the coast from Florida to Texas. http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=B23A86C6-D764-D9E3-8A8F8727EA2A7D45

	2010 Duck Breeding Populations Estimates Released FWS News Release – July 2, 2010 The 2010 preliminary estimate of the total duck population from the traditional survey area of the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey is 40.9 million birds. This is similar to last year’s estimate of 42 million birds and is 21 percent above the long-term average. This report summarizes information about the status of duck populations and wetland habitats during spring 2010, focusing on areas encompassed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) and Canadian Wildlife Services’ (CWS) Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey. For full press release, go to: http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=94253D63-9366-6E90-B582A 58023A0EC82 The entire “Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, 1955-2010” report can be downloaded from the Service's website at: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/PopulationStatus/Trends/ TrendReport2010.pdf

	USGS Study on Effects of Urban Development on Streams CSO Weekly Report - A new USGS study examines effects of urban development on stream ecosystem health. Findings show that aquatic insect communities demonstrate little, if any, initial resistance to low levels of urban development that were previously thought to be protective of aquatic life. By the time a watershed reaches about 10 percent impervious cover in urban areas, aquatic insect communities are degraded by as much as 33 percent in comparison to aquatic insect communities in forested watersheds. The USGS determined the magnitude and pattern of the physical, chemical, and biological response of streams to increasing urbanization and how these responses vary throughout nine metropolitan areas, including Portland, OR; Salt Lake City, UT; Birmingham, AL; Atlanta, GA; Raleigh, NC; Boston, MA; Denver, CO; Dallas, TX; and Milwaukee, WI. Comparisons among the nine metropolitan areas show that not all urban streams respond in a similar way. Land cover prior to urbanization can affect how aquatic insects and fish respond to urban development and is important to consider in setting realistic stream restoration goals in urban areas. For more information, including access to USGS reports and video podcasts, visit http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/urban/.

	Sensitive Wetlands Pose Special Cleanup Challenges By Gautam Naik – Wall Street Journal – May 22, 2010 One factor that would make this task especially challenging: Wetlands, which make up a large part of Louisiana's coast, are one of the trickiest terrains to clean. To read full article, Click here

	Despite Leak, Louisiana Is Still Devoted to Oil By Campbell Robertson – New York Times – May 22, 2010 In a state that is particularly sensitive to the health of its coastal wetlands, which serve as a barrier against hurricanes, such an attitude might seem odd — even self-defeating. To read full article, Click here.

	Despite Previous Spills Oil Cleanup Research Falls Short By Julie Schmit – USA TODAY – May 24, 2010 The effort to contain the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico sounds impressive – and it is. To read more, click here

	Nutrient management research to benefit Chesapeake Bay Penn State – Live – May 19, 2010 A project conducted by a team of researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences is investigating whether feeding cattle low-protein diets might result in the animals more efficiently utilizing nitrogen in their diet and reduce ammonia emissions from dairy operations. Funded by a $226,000 special grant for improved dairy management practices awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture this year, the research is especially important in Pennsylvania, where one of the critical water-quality issues is the discharge of nutrients into the Potomac and Susquehanna river watersheds, which feed the Chesapeake Bay. For full article, go to: http://live.psu.edu/story/46850

	Legislators Introduce Bills in Response to Gulf Spill Disaster NRDC’s Legislative Watch – May 18, 2010 the West Coast Ocean Protection Act ( H.R. 5213 ), introduced by Rep. Garamendi (D-CA), to permanently ban offshore drilling off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington; the six senators from the Pacific coast introduced a similar bill on 5/13 ( S. 3358 ) the No New Drilling Act ( H.R. 5248 ), introduced by Rep. Pallone (D-NJ), to prevent the leasing of any area of the outer continental shelf for the exploration, development or production of oil and gas S. 783 , introduced by Sen. Menendez (D-NJ), to prevent offshore drilling in the mid-Atlantic and north Atlantic regions H.R. 5241 , introduced by Rep. Capps (D-CA), which would establish an independent commission that would report on the causes and implications of the gulf spill and would recommend improvements in offshore drilling policy; Sen. Whitehouse (D-RI) has introduced a similar measure in the Senate ( S. 3344 ) S. 3305 , introduced by Sen. Menendez, which would raise the highest amount of clean-up costs that an oil company would have to pay after a spill from $75 million to $10 billion S. 3346 , introduced by Sen. Whitehouse, to increase civil and criminal penalties under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

	Concerns grow that Gulf oil spill could reach Florida Keys By Jaweed Kaleem – Miami Herald – May 17, 2010 Oil giant BP said Monday that a mile-long tube inserted into a damaged well on the sea floor in the Gulf of Mexico was siphoning about one fifth of the crude spewing daily from the site, as marine scientists expressed concern that ocean currents will carry the crude as far east as Florida and potentially damage sensitive reefs in the Florida Keys. Full story: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/17/1633329/concerns-grow-that-gulf-oil-spill.html#ixzz0oD4xPEr7

	Latest Gulf oil spill forecast shows push west to fragile Louisiana wetlands Press Register Blog – May 10, 2010 The latest Gulf of Mexico oil spill forecast map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration continues to show a westward movement of the oil, threatening fragile wetlands along the Louisiana coast. Winds from the east or southeast this morning, then continued east or southeast winds through Tuesday have the potential to move new oil onshore along the Louisiana coastline, according to the latest 72-hour project map produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For full blog, go to: http://blog.al.com/live/2010/05/latest_gulf_oil_spill_forecast_3.html

	Largest Beaver Dam Seen from Space! Discovery News – May 6, 2010 A Canadian ecologist has discovered the world's largest beaver dam in a remote area of northern Alberta, an animal-made structure so large it is visible from space. To read full article, go to: http://news.discovery.com/animals/beaver-dam-canada-space.html; also see http://www.ecorazzi.com/2010/05/07/worlds-largest-beaver-dam-as-seen-from-space/

	Oil flowing into wetlands key to ecological effect By John Flesher - Associated Press – May 2, 2010 Wildlife experts say the ecological effects from the oil spill has less to do with the amount of oil and more to do with where it's flowing. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5htu8kJnMkhfbfDURmcomK XOafj8AD9FESDTG0

	Citing Gulf of Mexico oil leak, Environmental Defense Fund calls for additional coastal restoration money By Mark Schleifstein - The Times-Picayune – May 1, 2010 http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2010/05/citing_gulf_of_mexico_oil_leak.html

	Oil Spill Threatens Wetland Ecosystem (a video) New York Times– May 1, 2010 http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/05/01/us/1247467754098/oil-spill-threatens-wetlands-ecosystem.html

	Gulf Oil Spill: Fisheries Closed, Louisiana Wetlands Now in Jeopardy Discover Magazine blog – May 3, 2010 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2010/05/03/gulf-oil-spill-fisheries-closed-louisiana-wetlands-now-in-jeopardy/

	Volunteering for Gulf Oil Disaster Wildlife lovers from across the Gulf and across the nation are volunteering to help save wildlife threatened by the massive oil spill still gushing into ocean. National Audubon Society has been coordinating an extraordinary volunteer effort. If you would like to be a volunteer, see http://www.audubonaction.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_ REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=3400. Bird rescue specialists from International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) have been deployed to the Gulf Coast and are setting up rescue stations. IBRRC’s blog provides updated information on bird impacts: http://wbx.me/l/?p=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fintbirdrescue.blogspot.com%2F For more information on Audubon’s Response to Gulf oil spill and volunteer program, visit: http://www.audubon.org/campaign/advisory/advisory1005.html#response Also, there is a number to call if oiled wildlife are found/seen, national toll free hotline at 1-866-577-1401.

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	Fragile coastal wetlands a nightmare cleanup scenario By Allen Johnson – Ottawa Citizen – April 30, 2010 Oil spills are devastating wherever they strike. But the looming springtime hit on the Louisiana coast -- a fragile wetland maze teeming with wildlife and a multibillion-dollar fishing industry -- represents a nightmare scenario for clean-up crews. "There are just miles and miles of coastal wetlands there that can only be reached by boat. And they're very delicate," said LuAnn White, director of Tulane University's Center for Applied Environmental Public Health. For full article, go to: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Fragile+coastal+wetlands+ nightmare+cleanup+scenario/2968935/story.html#ixzz0mc54TSAY For more news stories, go to: http://aswm.org/science/index.htm#news; http://aswm.org/wordpress/?p=1003

	April 30th was Save the Frogs Day http://www.savethefrogs.com/day/ Get Hopping to Save the Frogs By John Platt – Tonic – April 30, 2010 There's a great little pond a few hundred yards from my house. Oh, sure, it's not much to look at, but I still try to walk by it every evening this time of year. That's because this tiny, hidden, suburban pond is home to hundreds of frogs, and every night their croaks and creaks and chirps fill the night air like a chorus. It's one of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard. Unfortunately, if we're not careful, it's a sound we won't be hearing much of in the near future. Dr. Kerry Kriger, founder of the Save the Frogs Foundation, wants to make sure that doesn't happen. http://www.tonic.com/article/get-hopping-to-save-the-frogs/

	EPA Climate Indicators Report Shows Climate Change is Water Change River Network Blog – April 30, 2010 http://www.rivernetwork.org/blog/7/2010/04/30/epa-climate-indicators-report-shows-climate-change-water-change

	EPA Scientist Says East Coast Beaches Threatened by Sea Level, But Nobody’s Listening By Josh Harkinson – Wired Science (blog) – April 27, 2010 For most of the 20th century, Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, was known for its boardwalk, amusement park and wide, sandy beaches, popular with daytrippers from Washington, D.C. “The bathing beach has a frontage of three miles,” boasted a tourist brochure from about 1900, “and is equal, if not superior, to any beach on the Atlantic Coast.” […]Surveying the armored shoreline, Jim Titus explains how the natural sinking of the shoreline and slow but steady sea-level rise, mostly due to climate change, have driven the bay’s water more than a foot higher over the past century. For full blog, go to: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/ 2010/04/climate-desk-sea-level/

	Wetlands, clay can keep ground water contaminant-free By Vicki Kohli – Lancaster Eagle Gazette – April 16, 2010 Ground water is exactly that: water that has filtered through the soil and is stored underground. Ground water can be stored as lakes or ponds or found as rivers or streams. Actually there is a system of lakes and rivers underground, just as there is on the surface of the land. Typically this water finds its way to the surface in the form of a spring. Or, we can find these pools, drill down into them, and pump the water up through a well. For full story, go to: http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20100416/NEWS01/4160313

	NJ: Frogfest at Cape May Point State Park gets children to think green By Daniel Walsh – Press of Atlantic City – April 12, 2010 Jackson Sturm knew exactly why he was at Cape May Point State Park on Sunday. "I want to see the frogs," the 5-year-old Lower Township resident said. "It's so cool! They go, 'Ribbit, ribbit.'" Sturm was one of a few dozen people who attended the park's annual Frogfest, an afternoon event spotlighting frogs and the freshwater wetlands in which most live. […] "It's a sneaky way to get the parents to learn about freshwater wetlands," Pelligrine said. "They wouldn't come otherwise." For full story, go to: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/cape_may/article_3bdbee8a-f744-5708-bb31-f92a8eb0f2bf.html

	Feds thinking of new protections for newts of North Florida, South Georgia By Steve Patterson – Florida Times-Union – April 2, 2010 The striped newt is adaptable enough to breathe through gills in small ponds, then shed its gills, breathe straight air and head for the forest when the ponds dry up. But the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the tiny salamander that lives in North Florida and South Georgia may need extra help adapting to life around people. For full article, go to: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-04-02/story/feds-thinking-new-protections-newts

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	Beavers: The Engineers of the Forest By Jennifer Weeks – Smithsonian Magazine – March 16, 2010 Back from the brink of extinction, the beavers of Massachusetts are a crucial component of a healthy ecosystem Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Beavers-The-Engineers-of-the- Forest.html#ixzz0iYkOhpdp

	Aquatic 'Dead Zones' Contributing to Climate Change U.S. News & Science – March 15, 2010 The increased frequency and intensity of oxygen-deprived "dead zones" along the world's coasts can negatively impact environmental conditions in far more than just local waters. In the March 12 edition of the journal Science, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science oceanographer Dr. Lou Codispoti explains that the increased amount of nitrous oxide (N2O) produced in low-oxygen (hypoxic) waters can elevate concentrations in the atmosphere, further exacerbating the impacts of global warming and contributing to ozone "holes" that cause an increase in our exposure to harmful UV radiation. http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2010/03/15/aquatic-dead-zones-contributing-to-climate-change.html

	More Warming Worries: Methane from the Arctic By Michael Lemonick – Time – March 4, 2010 A string of 'gates over the past few months — Climategate, Himalayagate, among others — have landed some hard punches on the politics of climate change science. They haven't laid a glove on the science itself, however. Humans are pumping out planet-warming greenhouse gases at a prodigious rate, and the planet is warming. That's no coincidence. For full story, go to: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1969767,00.html?xid=rss-topstories Read more: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1969767,00.html?xid=rss-topstories#ixzz0iSWgOKfK

	RAMSAR STRP Addresses Carbon Storage in Wetlands Blog: Climate-L.org – March 3, 2010 The Ramsar Convention's Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) met in Gland, Switzerland, from 22-26 February 2010, for its 'mid-term workshops' to further progress its 2009-2012 Work Plan. The event brought together approximately 50 STRP members, invited experts and representatives of observer organizations to review and undertake substantive work on the range of high priority and other tasks requested of it by parties at the 10th session of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP 10). For full blog, go to: http://climate-l.org/2010/03/17/ramsar-strp-addresses-carbon-storage-in-wetlands/

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	Climate changes 'behind shifts in wetland birds' BBC News – February 19, 2010 The numbers of birds, including ring plovers and pochards, wintering in the UK have fallen by around a half in the past decade, according to the RSPB. However, other species such as avocets and little egrets have increased their numbers during the winter months. For full article, go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8523031.stm\

	Ramsar Secretariat and World Bank to Collaborate on Climate Change Projects in Wetlands Climate-L.org – February 16, 2010 Anada Tiéga, Ramsar Secretary General, and Hartwig Schafer, Acting Vice President, Sustainable Development Network, World Bank, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to “establish a framework of cooperation between Ramsar and the World Bank in exchange of technical expertise and capacity building related to the development and implementation of climate change projects in wetlands in the context of the World Bank-financed climate change portfolio.” For full story, go to: http://climate-l.org/2010/03/01/ramsar-secretariat-and-world-bank-to-collaborate-on-climate-change-projects-in-wetlands/

	Warming Climate Drives Wetland Loss, Will Affect Ducks Environmental Protection Online – February 9, 2010 The loss of wetlands in the prairie pothole region of central North America due to a warmer and drier climate will negatively affect millions of waterfowl that depend on the region for food, shelter and raising young, according to research published in the journal BioScience. For full article, go to: http://eponline.com/articles/2010/02/09/warming-climate-drives-wetland-loss- will-affect-ducks.aspx

	TX: Climate change, pollution are suspects in rusty blackbirds' plummeting numbers By Randy Lee Loftis – Dallas Morning News – February 7, 2010 From North Texas to Florida, a high-pitched voice is strangely missing from the chatter of wintering birds. The rusty blackbird, a winter visitor to Dallas-Fort Worth, has suffered one of North America's steepest and least understood declines. Since 1970, scientists say, its numbers have plunged 85 percent to 99 percent. For full story, go to: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-rustybirds_07met.ART0.Central.Edition1.4bf64e9.html

	The Allure – and Elusiveness – of Mangrove Forests as Carbon Sinks By Steve Zwick – Ecosystem Marketplace – February 7, 2010 It’s hard to imagine a more valuable ecosystem than a mangrove forest. These rugged coastal woods protect the shoreline from both sudden storms and gradual erosion; they provide shelter for young fish, breeding grounds for shrimp, and wood for local villagers – all of which are the fruits of clearly delineable ecosystem services, each which has a clear line to who benefits the most. This should, in theory, make it easy to entice those who benefit into paying for the ecosystem services that mangroves generate. Tourism operators and fishers, for example, could both pay mangrove guardians for the upkeep of coral reefs; fishers could pay for the nurturing of their prey; and anyone along the shore could pay to keep the sea at bay and prevent their houses from falling into the sea. For full story, go to: http://www.ecosystemmarketplace.com/pages/dynamic/article.page.php?page_id= 7441&section=news_articles&eod=1

	Global warming encourages tree growth but dries up wetlands, studies show By Graham Land – Green Fudge (blog) – February 6, 2010 Longer growing seasons and higher concentrations of CO2 may encourage faster growth rates in trees, according to a 22-year scientific study of mixed hardwoods in the eastern United States. During the study average temperatures increased by 0.3 degrees while the growing season was extended by 7.8 days. Furthermore, the CO2 concentration in the forest air went up 12%. For full story, go to: http://www.greenfudge.org/2010/02/06/ global-warming-encourages-tree-growth-but-dries-up-wetlands-studies-show/ For related story, go to: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gx7ez72M9ZAo22uNSaVhYECGNKag

	The Source Water, Climate & Carbon Connection By G. Tracy Mehan III, Dr. Chi Ho Sham, Charles Hernick & Jane Obbagy Source water protection, an analogue to watershed management, is a concept promoted by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), which required states to assess all waters used as sources of public drinking water for human consumption. http://www.wwdmag.com/The-Source-Water-Climate-Carbon-Connection-article11236

	Corn vs birds in Prairie Pothole region: a New Report on Ethanol Birding Community E-bulletin - February 2010 Government incentives boosting corn-based ethanol are accelerating the destruction of North America's Prairie Pothole region, a region where millions of birds find nesting habitat and shelter in the shallow wetlands and grasslands of the Northern Great Plains. This is according to a new study released by the National Wildlife Federation, with data gathered by University of Michigan researchers. The Northern Great Plains unique topography was formed 10,000 years ago when ice-age glaciers scouring the terrain left behind large indentations, today known as "prairie potholes." The Prairie Pothole study covers mainly Iowa, Minnesota, and the Dakotas, but the region actually extends as far west as northern Montana and also includes portions of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. […] The study puts forth several solid recommendations, including reconsidering financial support for corn ethanol, special protections for grassland and wetland habitats, and strengthening of the Farm Bill’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The full 24-page study can be found here: www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/Media-Center/News-by-Topic/Wildlife/2010/~/media/ PDFs/Reports/Wildlife/01-13-10-Corn-Ethanol-Wildlife.ashx And it is summarized by NWF here: www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/Media-Center/Reports/Archive/2010/~/media/PDFs/ Wildlife/01-13-10-Corn-Ethanol-Wildlife.ashx

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	Methane Causes Vicious Cycle In Global Warming By Richard Harris – NPR – January 26, 2010 Carbon dioxide is the gas we most associate with global warming, but methane gas also plays an important role. For reasons that are not well understood, methane gas stopped increasing in the atmosphere in the 1990s. But now it appears to be once again on the rise. Scientists are trying to understand why — and what to do about it. Methane gas comes from all sorts of sources including wetlands, rice paddies, cow tummies, coal mines, garbage dumps and even termites. Drew Shindell, at NASA's Goddard Institute in New York, says, "It's gone up by 150 percent since the pre-industrial period. So that's an enormous increase. CO2, by contrast, has gone up by something like 30 percent." For full article, go to: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122638800&ft=1&f=1025

	New Ecosystem-based Management Roadmap Website ACZISC Coastal Update E-newsletter – January 2010 The EBM Roadmap website has been established to provide practical support for ecosystem-based management (EBM). It provides access to readings, case studies, methods, tools, and data to address the core elements of EBM: Nature's Services; Scientific Evidence; Geographic Scales; Ecological Linkages; Cumulative Impacts; Tradeoffs Among Human Activities; Adaptive Management; and a Network of People and Information. For more information, visit: http://www.ebmtools.org/roadmap.html.

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	LINKS OF INTEREST

	EPA Launches TMDL Program Results Analysis Website EPA has developed a new website to communicate information about Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program results to technically specialized audiences, including TMDL developers, state water programs, academia, other federal agency programs, and EPA water quality staff. http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/results

	Washington Herp Atlas Now Complete and Online: The Atlas provides the most current information available on Washington's herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles, or "herps") including information on life history, habitat, status, threats, management concerns and distribution. The Atlas also seeks additional information about Washington's amphibians and reptiles. Information obtained through this project will be used to track the current status of each species, document rare species occurrences, analyze population trends, identify critical habitat and establish conservation priorities. http://www.wa.gov/dnr/htdocs/fr/nhp/refdesk/herp/

	Tiner, R.W. (compiler). 2002. Watershed-based Wetland Planning and Evaluation. A Collection of Papers from the Wetland Millennium Event (August 6-12, 2000; Québec City, Québec, Canada). Distributed by the Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc., Berne, NY. 141 pp. Available as a PDF file (WARNING: Large file: 6.36 mB)

	Isolated Wetlands Bibliography. Literature Citations and Links (where available.) Additional citations welcome. Please contact James Robb (5/8/01)

	Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Performance Literature Citations and Links. Does wetland compensatory mitigation work? We have put together this list of literature so that you may draw your own conclusions. Please let us know of any other studies related to this topic so that we may make this list as comprehensive as possible. (2/23/01)

	Wetlands and Global Climate Change Abstracts available from "Wetlands and Global Climate Change at Québec 2000 - Millennium Wetland Event", August 6 - 12, 2000, Québec City, Québec Canada. Invasive Species Expert Directory (select a state and find experts) This is a new resource offered by FWS, NOAA, USGS and other task force partners. http://www.anstaskforce.gov/experts/search.php New York Invasive Species Information http://nyis.info/ Smithsonian’s Online Encyclopedia of Life http://www.eol.org/ Midwest Guide for Prescribed Burns in Wetlands for Amphibians and Reptiles http://mwparc.org/products/fire/plain/









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Planting Wetlands and Dams: A Practical Guide to Wetland Design, Construction and Propagation, Second Edition (2010)