The 2008 Joint Meeting of the Society for Range Management and the America Forage and Grassland Council. |
Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 9:20 AM
Estimation of Wetland Condition in the Prairie Pothole Region via a Probabilistic Design
Christina L.M. Hargiss1, Edward DeKeyser1, Donald R. Kirby1, and Michael J. Ell2. (1) Natural Resources, NDSU, 100 Hultz Hall, Fargo, ND 58105, (2) Division of Water Quality, North Dakota Department of Health, 918 East Divide Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501
We assessed wetland plant community integrity (health) in a designated area of the Missouri Coteau in central North Dakota . To accomplish this we used a probabilistic sample design in the selection of sample points to give a more accurate estimation of the vegetative condition of wetlands within our defined area. Four different sampling models were applied to wetlands in the study area: 1) a geographic information system-based Landscape Wetland Condition Analysis Model (LWCAM); 2) a rapid assessment method for estimating wetland condition (NDRAM); 3) the vegetative-based Index of Plant Community Integrity (IPCI); and 4) the hydrogeomorphic model (HGM). There were 255 study wetlands sampled using the four sampling procedures. There were approximately another 700 wetlands sampled using the NDRAM. A variety of land uses and vegetation characteristics were present in the study area. Results showed that wetland condition was based on land use while topography was the main factor affecting land use and consequent wetland condition. Repeat assessment of this study area has the ability to indicate the trend of wetland plant community integrity in relation to the present and future predominant land practices. Information from this study can be used to estimate wetland condition across other areas of the Missouri Coteau and can be used as a model for determining need specific, financial, and time appropriate wetland sampling methods for other areas of the Prairie Pothole Region.