Mangrove Point Mitigation Bank

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Mangrove Point Mitigation Bank Mangrove Point Mitigation Bank Monitoring Plan The Monitoring Plan for the Mangrove Point Mitigation Bank (MPMB) has been designed to quantitatively measure components of ecological function that will most accurately indicate increased benefit to fish and wildlife. By comparing the data collected to the success criteria (Attachment E), this Monitoring Plan provides reasonable assurance that increased benefits to fish and wildlife derived from the proposed restoration activities can be objectively demonstrated. Monitoring protocols were developed for each habitat (UMAM assessment area). The Monitoring Plan will measure components of ecological function in each habitat that clearly indicate an increase in ecological function that benefits fish and wildlife. Please refer to the associated Monitoring Station Map Set: Fish and Wildlife Monitoring Location Map, Vegetation Transect Monitoring Location lVlap, and Hydrological Regime Monitoring Location Map for the locations of sampling stations and transects in each habitat. Because each habitat provides different ecological functions to different suites of fish and wildlife, the monitoring protocols have been tailored to measure those ecological functions that are most beneficial to the target wildlife suite. The following habitats have individualized success criteria and monitoring protocols: 1) Saltern 2) Tidal Tributaries 3) Mangrove Forest 4) Shrub Swamp 5) Oligohaline Marsh 6) Saltern Ponds 7) Tidal Pool Baseline Monitoring Baseline Monitoring will be conducted in all habitats for a period of one year prior to construction to document the currently reduced ecological function. These baseline data will be compared to data collected at control locations and compared to data collected in each habitat after restoration in order to document the anticipated increase in ecological function and document that success criteria have been attained. 1) Saltern The assessment areas that will be monitoring with this protocol include the following: 660 Saltern, 660A Saltern - Altered, and 743M Spoil Piles - Saltern. a) Bird Utilization Bird utilization of salterns in Tampa Bay was documented in a monitoring report titled The Effects ofSaltern Restoration at Weedon Island Preserve: Final Report (Wildlands Conservation 2008). In this report, bird utilization was recorded at Weedon Island Preserve in Pinellas County, as well as two other control sites nearby. In the third year of monitoring, an additional control site, the restored saltern on Wolf Branch Park adjacent to MPMB, was added. The data set that was generated from this monitoring illustrated that the saltern on Wolf Branch Park was highly functional for wading Mangrove Point Mitigation Bank birds and shorebirds - an appropriate control site for comparison. Additionally, the monitoring methodology generated a robust data set that was used to compare the Weedon Island restoration site to control sites in order to determine restoration success. Because this report utilized a nearby control site and a suitable methodology to detennine restoration success, the bird monitoring section of this Monitoring Plan closely mimics the methodology described in the report. The reference site, Wolf Branch Park, is adjacent to the MPMB. This site was chosen to compare the increase in onsite ecological function provided to wildlife after restoration. The saltern on Wolf Branch Park has been previously restored to a large expansive saltern by removing the mosquito ditches and spoil piles, the same restoration technique proposed for MPMB. This restoration was successful as evidenced by the monitoring data collected regarding wading bird and shorebird use. The saltern on Wolf Branch Park is providing optimal ecological function because the saltern was being utilized by many shorebirds and wading birds, including several threatened and endangered species as well as the reddish egret, the rarest wading bird in North America. The saltern bird monitoring consists of simultaneous monitoring of the saltern on MPMB and the restored saltern on Wolf Branch Park. Pedestrian surveys will be conducted for 30 minutes near dawn (when most bird species are most active) along transects down the middle of both salterns (Fish and Wildlife Monitoring Location Map). Six (6) monitoring events will be conducted every quarter (4 times a year) for a total of 24 monitoring events annually. The timing of the monitoring events will combine lunar cycle - full moon, new moon, and mid-moon - with tidal cycle - high tide and low tide - to adequately represent the different temporal variations of saltern habitat use. Bird species, abundance, and habitat use (i.e. foraging, loafing, nesting, etc.) will be recorded. Birds will be reported as obligate wetland, facultative wetland, and upland species; threatened and endangered species presence will be noted. b) Vegetative Structure and Composition Data will be collected annually in the fall. Percent aerial coverage will be recorded for each herbaceous species, algal mats, and bare sand within 1m X 1m plots every 50 feet along transects (Vegetation Monitoring Transect Map). Percent cover for each species, algal mats, and bare sand will be swnmed from all quadrats and divided by the total monitored area to determine the percent aerial coverage. ''Typical saltern spec!es" are those species listed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as species commonly found in salterns (FDEP 2011). Mangrove trees and shrubs are defmed as any four of the mangrove species taller than O.Sm. Aerial coverage will be determined by measuring tree percent cover within Sm X Sm plots along transects at the same location as the 1m X 1m herbaceous plots. Percent cover of the mangrove trees and shrubs will be summed from all quadrats and divided by the total monitored area to determine the percent aerial coverage. c) Hydrological Regime Tidal staff gauges with automated data loggers will be established in the saltern patches and the adjacent mosquito ditches in the southern, central, and northern reaches of the saltern on MPMB (HydrologicaJ Regime Monitoring Location Map). These tidal gauges will record the water levels in the saltern patches and in the mosquito ditches continuously for one year prior to 2 Mangrove Point Mitigation Bank restoration (to establish the baseline) and for at least one year after restoration (until hydrological restoration has been demonstrated to be successful). Water depth readings will he recorded hourly to generate graphs of [he hydrologic regime. Comparison of graphs with similar tidal cycles before and after restoration will illustrate the restoration of the hydrological regime. 2) Tidal Tributaries The assessment areas that will be monitoring with this protocol include the following: 511 Mosquito Ditches and Spoil Piles and 513 Clogged Tributary. a) Fish Utilization Fish utilization in tidal tributaries in Tampa Bay has been documented by several studies. The primary studies that have been utilized to develop the fish monitoring methodology for MPMB include the following: Distribution and diversity offish in Tampa Bay mangrove swamp and the effects of rotary ditching (Brown 1987 - USF Master's thesis) and The Utility of Breder traps for sampling mangrove and high marsh fish assemblages (Sargent & Carlson 1987). Because these reports suggested that Breder traps are effective at sampling mangrove resident fish species, and the data collected are capable of comparison to control sites (or comparison of the same site before and after restoration), the fish monitoring methodologies were considered appropriate. The reference site for fish monitoring of the tidal tributaries is especially important because it has been documented that different fish communities are found in different regions throughout Tampa Bay (Krebs et al 2007). Because of these larger-scale differences, the reference sites must be close to the monitoring site in an effort to reduce any geographic disparity. As such, the reference site includes an unobstructed tributary located nearby on E.G. Simmons Park. Fish and nekton are able to access this tributary from Tampa Bay, so the fish community will be representative of those species that could utilize the tidal tributaries on MPMB. Fish will be captured utilizing Breder traps opened for 2-3 hours around low tide. Three sampling sites will be established in the southern, central, and northern reaches of the MPMB in order to document that the increase in ecological function occurred throughout the entire site (Fish and Wildlife Monitoring Location Map). One Breder trap will be established at each site. The tidal tributaries will be sampled at low tide to evaluate the critical ecological functions of fish refuge and access; the keystone ecological function of the tidal tributaries is maintenance of subtidal habitat at low tide. Three (3) monitoring events will be conducted every quarter (4 times a year) for a total of 12 monitoring events annually. These monitoring events will coincide with the low tide bird monitoring events - full moon, new moon, and mid-moon - to adequately represent the different variations of the lunar cycle. Fish species and abundance will be recorded. Fish will be released to the greatest extend practicable. Fish unable to be identified in the field will be identified in the laboratory. Fish will be reported as resident, transient, and schoolers. 3 Mangrove Point Mitigation Bank b) Water Quality In order for fish and nekton to utilize the mangrove forest during high tides, there must
Recommended publications
  • Shrub Swamp State Rank: S5 - Secure
    Shrub Swamp State Rank: S5 - Secure cover of tall shrubs with Shrub Swamp Communities are a well decomposed organic common and variable type of wetlands soils. If highbush occurring on seasonally or temporarily blueberries are dominant flooded soils; They are often found in the transition zone between emergent the community is likely to marshes and swamp forests; be a Highbush Blueberry Thicket, often occurring on stunted trees. The herbaceous layer of peat. Acidic Shrub Fens are shrub swamps is often sparse and species- peatlands, dominated by poor. A mixture of species might typically low growing shrubs, along include cinnamon, sensitive, royal, or with sphagnum moss and marsh fern, common arrowhead, skunk herbaceous species of Shrub Swamp along shoreline. Photo: Patricia cabbage, sedges, bluejoint grass, bur-reed, varying abundance. Deep Serrentino, Consulting Wildlife Ecologist. swamp candles, clearweed, and Emergent Marshes and Description: Wetland shrubs dominate turtlehead. Invasive species include reed Shallow Emergent Marshes Cottontail, have easy access to the shrubs Shrub Swamps. Shrub height may be from canary grass, glossy alder-buckthorn, are graminoid dominated wetlands with and protection in the dense thickets. The <1m to 5 meters, of uniform height or common buckthorn, and purple <25% cover of tall shrubs. Acidic larvae of many rare and common moth mixed. Shrub density can be variable, loosestrife. Pondshore/Lakeshore Communities are species feed on a variety of shrubs and from dense (>75% cover) to fairly open broadly defined, variable shorelines associated herbaceous plants in shrub (25-75% cover) with graminoid, around open water. Shorelines often swamps throughout Massachusetts. herbaceous, or open water areas between merge into swamps or marshes.
    [Show full text]
  • South Acton Swamps Beginning with Focus Areas of Statewide Ecological Significance Habitat South Acton Swamps
    Focus Areas of Statewide Ecological Significance: South Acton Swamps Beginning with Focus Areas of Statewide Ecological Significance Habitat South Acton Swamps Biophysical Region • Sebago-Ossipee Hills and Plain WHY IS THIS AREA SIGNIFICANT? The series of broad basins supporting forested wetlands, Rare Animals peatlands, marshes and open water systems surrounded Blanding’s Turtles by forested hillsides in the South Acton Swamps Focus Wood Turtle Area sustain a wide diversity of plant and animal habitats Ribbon Snake including ecosystems and natural communities of Rare Plants statewide significance, rare plant and rare animal species. Small whorled-pogonia Spotted Wintergreen OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONSERVATION Swamp Saxifrage Work with willing landowners to permanently protect » Rare and Exemplary Natural Communities the significant features in the Focus Area. Grassy Shrub Marsh » Maintain enhanced riparian buffers. Streamshore Ecosystem » Encourage best management practices for forestry Unpatterned Fen Ecosystem activities near wetlands, water bodies and significant features. Significant Wildlife Habitats Maintain the natural hydrology by avoiding drainage Inland Wading Bird and Waterfowl Habitat » Significant Vernal Pool or impoundment of the wetlands, streams or adjacent Deer Wintering Area water bodies. Refer to the Beginning with Habitat Online Toolbox for more conservation opportunities: www.beginningwith- habitat.org/toolbox/about_toolbox.html Beginning with Habitat Online Toolbox: www. beginningwithhabitat.org/toolbox/about_toolbox.html. Photo credits, top to bottom: MNAP, MDIFW, MNAP, MNAP, Jonathan Mays 1 Focus Areas of Statewide Ecological Significance: South Acton Swamps South Acton Swamps Black Pond Fen, Maine Natural Areas Program FOCUS AREA OVERVIEW RARE AND EXEMPLARY NATURAL COMMUNITIES The South Acton Swamps Focus Area covers approximately 3,600 acres and is a series of moderately broad basins sur- Black Pond Fen, located in the southern portions of the Focus rounded by gentle to steep forested hillsides.
    [Show full text]
  • Laurentian-Acadian Wet Meadow-Shrub Swamp
    Laurentian-Acadian Wet Meadow-Shrub Swamp Macrogroup: Wet Meadow / Shrub Marsh yourStateNatural Heritage Ecologist for more information about this habitat. This is modeledmap a distributiononbased current and is data nota substitute for field inventory. based Contact © Maine Natural Areas Program Description: A shrub-dominated swamp or wet meadow on mineral soils characteristic of the glaciated Northeast and scattered areas southward. Examples often occur in association with lakes and ponds or streams, and can be small and solitary pockets or, more often, part of a larger wetland complex. The habitat can have a patchwork of shrub and herb dominance. Typical species include willow, red-osier dogwood, alder, buttonbush, meadowsweet, bluejoint grass, tall sedges, and rushes. Trees are generally absent or thinly scattered. State Distribution: CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV Total Habitat Acreage: 990,077 Ecological Setting and Natural Processes: Percent Conserved: 25.5% Shrub swamps and wet meadows are associated with lakes State State GAP 1&2 GAP 3 Unsecured and ponds and along headwater and larger streams where State Habitat % Acreage (acres) (acres) (acres) the water level does not fluctuate greatly. They are ME 30% 297,075 11,928 39,478 245,668 commonly flooded for part of the growing season but NY 30% 293,979 59,329 38,332 196,318 generally do not have standing water throughout the season. This is a dynamic system that may return to marsh in beaver- MA 8% 76,718 4,358 17,980 54,380 impounded areas or succeed to wooded swamp with NJ 7% 68,351 16,148 9,221 42,983 sediment accumulation or water subsidence.
    [Show full text]
  • Swamps Include a Broad Range
    PART IV: Wetland Management SWAMPS wamps include a broad range port more woody vegetation. of wetlands that have stand- Occasional flooding or several Sing or slowly moving water years of wet weather can slow this and are dominated by trees or process, and several dry years can shrubs. Swamps differ from speed it up. marshes in that swamps do not contain large amounts of cattails, Swamps provide habitat for sedges, bulrushes, and other non- mink, muskrats, beaver, otter, deer, woody aquatic plants. However, black bear, squirrels, hares, barred these plants may appear around owls, various species of woodpeck- swamp edges or in openings. ers, wood ducks, nuthatches, sev- mink Michigan swamps include conifer eral kinds of warblers, black- swamps, hardwood swamps, mixed capped chickadees, snakes, turtles, prise much of the overall loss-- conifer-hardwood swamps, and frogs, toads, butterflies, dragon- about two-thirds of the original 5.5 shrub swamps. Swamps and low- flies, and many other insects. million acres of conifer swamps land forests are very similar and Uncommon animals such as red- have either been drained or con- are often one in the same. shouldered hawks, cerulean and verted by logging activity to low- However, swamps are often wetter prothonatory warblers, Indiana land hardwood, farmland, marshes for a longer period throughout the bats, smallmouth salamanders, and or shrub swamps. year and have deeper standing Blanchard's cricket frog, all rely on water than lowland forests. These swamps for survival. Types of Swamps lowland forests may be seasonal Northern white cedar and black wetlands. About one-third to one-half of spruce dominate most conifer Michigan's wetland acreage has swamps in northern Michigan, Like most wetlands, swamps been lost since 1800.
    [Show full text]
  • Maritime Shrub Swamp (Willow Subtype)
    MARITIME SHRUB SWAMP (WILLOW SUBTYPE) Concept: Maritime Shrub Swamps are barrier island wetlands persistently dominated by large shrubs or small trees. The Willow Subtype encompasses examples dominated or codominated by Salix caroliniana. Distinguishing Features: The Willow Subtype is readily distinguished from all other communities by the combination of barrier island dune swale setting and dominance by Salix caroliniana. Salix may be present in small amounts in Maritime Swamp Forest or on edges of Interdune Ponds but does not dominate in these communities. Synonyms: Synonyms: Salix caroliniana / Sacciolepis striata - Boehmeria cylindrica Woodland (CEGL004222). Ecological Systems: Central Atlantic Coastal Plain Maritime Forest (CES203.261). Sites: The Willow Subtype occurs in wet dune swales in sheltered parts of barrier islands. Soils: Soils are sands, potentially with a shallow muck surface layer. They may be mapped as Conaby (Histic Humaquept) or Duckston (Typic Psammaquent) or may be inclusions of these soils in other map units. Hydrology: Hydrology is probably similar to that of the Dogwood Subtype, with fluctuating water levels that may cover the surface for entire seasons or may drop to saturated but not flooded conditions. Vegetation: The Willow Subtype is an open-to-potentially closed tall shrubland dominated by Salix caroliniana. Associated vegetation is not well characterized. Some Acer rubrum or other swamp tree species may be present in small numbers, and other trees rooted in adjacent communities may overhang. Morella cerifera or other shrubs may be present on the edges. Associated herbs may include Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, Chasmanthium laxum, Hydrocotyle prolifera, Mikania scandens, Persicaria punctata, Boehmeria cylindrica, and potentially additional species shared with other subtypes.
    [Show full text]
  • Scriber Lake Vegetation Assessment
    May 2021 Scriber Lake Park Habitat Management Plan Lynnwood, WA -This page left intentionally blank- Scriber Lake Park Habitat Management Plan Prepared for: Sarah Olson, MPA Deputy Director Lynwood Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Services 19100 44th Ave W Lynnwood WA, 98046 Prepared by: Nelson Salisbury, Senior Ecologist EarthCorps 6310 NE 74th Street, Suite 201E Seattle, WA 98115 May 2021 1 | Scriber Lake Park Habitat Management Plan - 2 0 2 1 -This page left intentionally blank- 2 | Scriber Lake Park Habitat Management Plan - 2 0 2 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 5 2. HABITAT MAPPING AND NATURAL AREA ASSESSMENT ....................................... 5 2.1. Management Units ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 Table 1. Scriber Lake Park Habitat Types .................................................................................................................................... 6 Map 1: Habitat Management Units ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Map 2: Dominant Invasive Species Locations ..............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Nova Scotia Wetland Conservation Policy
    NOVA SCOTIA Environment Office of the Minister P0 Box 442, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3i 2P8 • www.novascotia.ca/nse Approval Form - Policy Amendment Policy: Nova Scotia Wetlands Conservation Policy Revision Date: October 2019 Updated policy approved by: C& Gordon Wilson, MLA Minister of Environment OCT 252019 Nova Scotia Wetland Conservation Policy September 2011 Revised: October 2019 Table of Contents Introduction . 1 Background . 2 Policy Goal and Policy Objectives . .. 9 Scope and Application . 10 Implementation and Management Actions . 11 Definitions . .. 17 Photo credits: All photos taken by John Brazner, except the photo of Hurricane Juan damage on p. 6 taken by Doug Mercer (Environment Canada), the photo of Chignecto National Wildlife Area by Ducks Unlimited on p. 7, the photos of the Shelburne County salt marsh on p. 15 and bog on p. 20 taken by Reginald Newall (NSDNR) and the photo of the vernal pool on p. 24 taken by Krista Hilchey (NSE). Cape Breton Bog Introduction The Nova Scotia Wetland Conservation Policy provides direction and a framework for the conservation of wetlands. It supplements and provides context to legislation, regulations and operational policies designed to protect and to guide management of wetlands in Nova Scotia. It is a comprehensive policy for the provincial government to ensure that the benefits that wetlands provide are maintained for the people of Nova Scotia. The policy highlights the important roles wetlands play in Nova Scotia’s landscapes and their value to society. It represents a commitment to managing Nova Scotia’s wetlands in a consistent manner and to maintaining a high level of wetland integrity for future generations, while allowing for sustainable economic development in our communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecological Character Description
    4 Interplay of drivers, levers, components and processes within the wetland types of the system The many types of freshwater and saline-estuarine wetlands found at this Ramsar site are described in detail with attention given to the ecological components and processes that underpin ecological character. Interplay of drivers, levers, components and processes within the wetland types of the system - Section 4 33 DEH_EcologicalCharacter_4_2006-133 33 9/11/06 2:51:49 PM ■ Interplay of drivers, levers, components McGrath Flat and processes within the wetland types Parnka Point of the system The Coorong and Lakes Ramsar site lies at the terminus Villa de Yumpa of the Murray-Darling Basin. It incorporates the freshwater bodies of Lakes Alexandrina and Albert and the more saline lagoons of the Coorong (see Figure 6). It is the only estuary within the Murray-Darling Basin and thus the Murray Mouth is the only connection between this one Stony Well million square kilometre inland basin and the sea. The Ramsar site covers an area of approximately Woods Well 140,500 ha which incorporates 23 different wetland types (according to the Ramsar Convention classification system, see Table 8), existing as a mosaic of fresh to hypersaline habitats variously interconnected across time and space. Ramsar Criterion 1 (see Table 3) seeks to recognise sites that contain ‘… a representative, rare, Policemans Point or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type found within the appropriate bioregion’ and the Coorong and Lakes qualify against this criterion in addition to seven of the other eight (see Section 5). To assist this description of ecological character the SALT CREEK Ramsar site has been sub-divided into six units as follows: Freshwater system units: • Lake Alexandrina • Lake Albert • Tributary wetlands (lower reaches of Finniss River Tea Tree Crossing Currency Creek and Tookayerta Creek).
    [Show full text]
  • INTEGRATED WETLAND ASSESSMENT PROGRAM Part 2: an Ordination and Classification of Wetlands in the Till and Lake Plains and Allegheny Plateau Regions
    State of Ohio Wetland Ecology Group Environmental Protection Agency Division of Surface Water INTEGRATED WETLAND ASSESSMENT PROGRAM Part 2: An ordination and classification of wetlands in the Till and Lake Plains and Allegheny Plateau regions Ohio EPA Technical Report WET/2004-2 Bob Taft, Governor Chris Jones, Director P.O. Box 1049, Lazarus Government Center, 122 S. Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049 —————————————————————————————————————— Appropriate Citation: Mack, John J. 2004. Integrated Wetland Assessment Program. Part 2: an ordination and classification of wetlands in the Till and Lake Plains and Allegheny Plateau regions. Ohio EPA Technical Report W ET/2004-2. Ohio Environm ental Protection Agency, W etland Ecology Group, Division of Surface W ater, Columbus, Ohio. This entire document can be downloaded from the website of the Ohio EPA, Division of Surface W ater: http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/wetlands/wetland_bioasses.html ii TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ..............................................................iii LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES ..................................................... v ABSTRACT ........................................................................ 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................... 2 METHODS ........................................................................ 2 RESULTS ......................................................................... 3 Emergent communities ......................................................... 3 Fens, Bogs,
    [Show full text]
  • Terrestrial and Palustrine Plant Communities of Pennsylvania
    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS unding for this project was provided by the Wild Resource Conservation Fund. Data used in the development of this classification came largely from Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory F partners: The Nature Conservancy, DCNR's Bureau of Forestry, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Tom Smith's 1991 draft "Natural Ecological Communities of Pennsylvania" provided the foundation upon which this classification was built. This effort owes much to its predecessor. This work relies heavily on the expertise and many years of field experience provided by the following people: Tony Davis, Dan Devlin, Charles Bier, Andra Leimanis, Jeff Wagner, Mark Anderson, Roger Earl Latham. Several of these people provided draft community descriptions, species lists, or environmental descriptions of community types. All of these people have reviewed multiple draft versions of this classification and have given generously of their time, wisdom, and experience. Many thanks to all of the people who reviewed earlier drafts of this classification, and provided suggestions, guidance, technical assistance, and encouragement, including: Ashton Berdine John Kunsman Jim Bissell Julie Lundgren Dave Boyd Kathy McKenna Chad Buhrman Ken Metzler Bureau of Forestry Staff Susan Munch Don Cameron Chris Nowak Dick Croop Greg Podniesinski Roger Dorsey Connie Reightler Greg Edinger Carol Reschke Jenni Farber Ann Rhoads Chris Firestone Rich Ring Ted Grisez Ann Robinson Steve Grund Lesley Sneddon Stevens Heckscher Kim Steiner Robert Hill Susan Stout Steve
    [Show full text]
  • Hudson River Estuary Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Framework
    Wetlands Description: Much of the information on wetlands provided below was adapted from Kiviat and Stevens (2001). • Tidal and Non-Tidal Wetlands The Hudson River Estuary corridor contains a rich diversity of wetland types, which in turn supports a variety of plant, wildlife, and fish species.About 29 of the 57 wet- land community types occurring in New York have been documented in the Hudson River Estuary corridor (Howard et al. 2002, Edinger et al. 2002). Wetlands represent a transition between aquatic and terrestrial systems and as such, generally support high species diversity. Some wetlands (e.g., bogs) support low species diversity but represent an important component of biodiversity at the landscape scale. Tidal wetlands occur along the 152-mile Hudson River estuary and include brack- ish tidal marsh, brackish intertidal mudflats, freshwater tidal swamp, freshwater tidal marsh, and freshwater intertidal mudflats. The species composition of Hudson River Estuary wetlands change as the water characteristics change from brackish to fresh. Examples of non-tidal wetlands include fens, bogs, scrub-shrub swamp, and forested, floodplain, and headwater wetlands. Tidal wetlands of the Hudson River Estuary corridor include (Kiviat and Stevens 2001): Fresh and Brackish Subtidal Shallows: The subtidal shallows is the zone between the mean low water elevation and approximately 6.5 ft below mean low water. This zone supports beds of submerged vegetation, which are well-known for their importance to fish and waterfowl. In some areas, the subtidal shallows extend into portions of tidal tributary mouths. This habitat is found throughout the tidal Hudson, but is more extensive in shallower reaches of the river, including the Haverstraw Bay-Tappan Zee and areas north of Saugerties.
    [Show full text]
  • Wetlands Classification and Assessment of Ramsar Sites in China Based on Time Series Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Imagery
    Marine and Freshwater Research, 2018, 69, 658–668 © CSIRO 2018 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF17119 Supplementary material Wetlands classification and assessment of Ramsar sites in China based on time series Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) imagery Liwei XingA,B, Zhenguo NiuA,C, Panpan XuA and Dachong LiA AState Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20 Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P.R. China. BSatellite Surveying and Mapping Application Center, National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, 1 Baishengcun, Zizhuyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100048, P.R. China. CCorresponding author. Email: [email protected] Page 1 of 11 Marine and Freshwater Research © CSIRO 2018 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF17119 Table S1. Wetland classification oriented to satellite image time series Level Level two Level three Code NDVI Characteristics Level four Code Score of one disturbances Wetlands Open water 11 The NDVI Value is less than 0 rivers 111 0 in the SITS lakes 112 0 lagoon 113 0 Estuarine water 114 0 Aquaculture or salt field 115 50 Reservoirs 116 40 Other man-made open water 117 50 Forest or Forest or shrub swamp(evergreen) 121 NDVI is greater than 0.4, and Inland forest or shrub swamp(evergreen) 1211 0 shrub there is small changes of Coastal forest or shrub 1212 0 swamps NDVI value for the whole swamp(evergreen) year. Forest or shrub swamp(deciduous) 122 NDVI is greater than 0.3, and Inland forest or shrub swamp(deciduous) 1221 0 there is periodical changes of coastal forest or shrub swamp(deciduous) 1222 0 NDVI value for the whole year.
    [Show full text]