Wetland Assessment Toolkit

A new practical guide has recently been published by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). The guide is intended to enable concerned individuals to assess a wetland by considering its biological, ecological, developmental, and economic values. The toolkit shows how an assessment (including that of the species in the wetlands) can strengthen wetlands conservation. It specifically outlines the steps in designing, preparing for, carrying out, and communicating the results of an integrated wetland assessment. While primarily written for situations in developing countries, the lessons in this 144-page toolkit can be useful at other locations as well. The three main sections in the toolkit cover the integrated assessment process, the tools themselves, and examples describing detailed case studies. This is an invaluable tool to help counter the serious and rapid loss of wetland bird habitat, and it is available free for downloading (PDF).

ASWM Assessment Publications

Assessing the Natural and Beneficial Functions of Floodplains: Issues and Approaches; Future Directions by Jon A. Kusler, ASWM (Draft 5/1/11)

“Recommendations for Reconciling Wetland Assessment Techniques” Jon Kusler, Esq., Ph.D (PDF)

Wetland Assessment Report Series by Jon Kusler, Esq., Ph.D.:

• "Assessing Functions and Values"  (PDF)
• "Wetland Assessment in the Courts" (PDF)
• "Integrating Wetland Assessment Into Regulatory Permitting" (PDF)

"Common Questions: Wetland Assessment" by Jon Kusler, Esq., Ph.D. (PDF)

"Common Questions: Definition of the Terms Wetland "Function" and "Value"" by Jon A. Kusler (PDF)

Other Assessment Publications

“Application of Elements of a State Water Monitoring and Assessment Program for Wetlands” EPA, April 2006 - This document includes the recommended elements of a state water monitoring and assessment program.

“A Practical Guide for the Development of a Wetland Assessment: the California Experience” by Martha A. Sutula, Eric D. Stein, Joshua N. Collins, A. Elizabeth Fetscher, and Ross Clark (PDF)

“An Evaluation of Wetland Assessment Techniques and Their Applications to Decision Making” by MA Thiesing, EPA (PDF)

"A Rapid Assessment System for Riparian and Stream Corridors for California: A Discussion on How Can We Improve a Rapid Assessment System for Streams?" by A. L. Riley, Ph.D., Watershed Division and Jill Marshall, P.G., TMDL and Planning Division of the San Francisco Bay Region Water Quality Control Board (PDF)

Rapid Permit Process for Stream Protection San Francisco Bay Region Water Quality Control Board, California, February 2008

Rapid Permit Checklist San Francisco Bay Region Water Quality Control Board

Federal Assessment Links

EPA Water Quality and Assessment Reports

EPA - National Wetland Condition Assessment

USGS - Ecological Assessment Methods (Searchable) Database

EPA - Fact Sheet on Wetland Monitoring and Assessment (PDF)

USGS - Wetland Assessment History

Federal Highway Administration - Wetland Assessment Alternatives (PowerPoint)

Federal Highway Administration - Rapid Assessment Procedures (PowerPoint)

Army Corps of Engineers - Reports Hydrogeomorphic Wetland Assessment

State Wetland Assessment Links

Massachusetts - Coastal Zone Management Wetland Assessment Additionally: Current projects.

Massachusetts - Umass Amherst Conservation Assessment and Prioritization System (CAPS)

Colorado - "Developing Metrics of an Ecological Integrity Assessment" by Joe Rocchio (Powerpoint)

California - Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM)

Montana - Rapid Assessment Method

Oregon - Wetland Assessment Manual (PDF)