Effectively Manage Wetland Resources Using the Best Available Remote Sensing Techniques Utilizing top scientists in the wetland classification and mapping field, Remote Sensing of Wetlands: Applications and Advances covers the rapidly changing landscape of wetlands and describes the latest advances in remote sensing that have taken place over the past 30 years for use in mapping wetlands. Factoring in the impact of climate change, as well as a growing demand on wetlands for agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, and development, this text considers the challenges that wetlands pose for remote sensing and provides a thorough introduction on the use of remotely sensed data for wetland detection. Taking advantage of the experiences of more than 50 contributing authors, the book describes a variety of techniques for mapping and classifying wetlands in a multitude of environments ranging from tropical to arctic wetlands including coral reefs and submerged aquatic vegetation. The authors discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using different remote sensing techniques for wetland detection under varied conditions and circumstances. They also analyze commonly available data, reveal cost-effective methods, and offer useful insights into future trends. Comprised of 25 chapters, this text: Presents methods readily applicable to real-world challenges Contains advanced, new techniques communicated by top scientists in the field Covers a diverse set of landscapes and technologies Reviews many of the datasets and techniques that are responsible for advances in this discipline and their application for wetland mapping Addresses the need to effectively manage this environmental resource Remote Sensing of Wetlands: Applications and Advances uses a variety of contributors, touching on pertinent topics, to help you gain a greater understanding of the latest technologies, strengths, and limitations surrounding this emerging field.

Understand the current concept of wetland and methods for identifying, describing, classifying, and delineating wetlands in the United States with Wetland Indicators - capturing the current state of science's role in wetland recognition and mapping. Environmental scientists and others involved with wetland regulations can strengthen their knowledge about wetlands, and the use of various indicators, to support their decisions on difficult wetland determinations. Professor Tiner primarily focuses on plants, soils, and other signs of wetland hydrology in the soil, or on the surface of wetlands in his discussion of Wetland Indicators. Practicing - and aspiring - wetland delineators alike will appreciate Wetland Indicators' critical insight into the development and significance of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and other factors. Features Color images throughout illustrate wetland indicators. Incorporates analysis and coverage of the latest Army Corps of Engineers delineation manual. Provides over 60 tables, including extensive tables of U.S. wetland plant communities and examples for determining hydrophytic vegetation.

Wetland and Stream Rapid Assessments: Development, Validation, and Application describes the scientific and environmental policy background for rapid wetland and stream assessments, how such assessment methods are developed and statistically verified, and how they can be used in environmental decision-making-including wetland and stream permitting. In addition, it provides several case studies of method development and use in various parts of the world. Readers will find guidance on developing and testing such methods, along with examples of how these methods have been used in various programs across North America. Rapid wetland and stream functional assessments are becoming frequently used methods in federal, state and local environmental permitting programs in North America. Many governments are interested in developing new methods or improving existing methods for their own jurisdictions. This book provides an ideal guide to these initiatives.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) has recently updated National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) data for the state's six coastal counties. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has recognized the potential application of NWI data for watershed assessments, but realized that other attributes would have to be added to the data to facilitate functional analysis.

The Long Island Studies (LIS) Program of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has noticed the habitat changes indicative of sea-level rise in many coastal wetlands. In 2005, DEP provided funds to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct a trends analysis of selected salt marshes along the southwestern coast of the state to document habitat changes.

The purpose of this project was to enhance the existing NWI dataset by adding LLWW attributes to each mapped wetland and deepwater habitat, as appropriate. Existing NWI maps and digital data for the study area were the primary base data for this characterization.

The report is organized into seven sections: 1) Introduction, 2) Wetland Keys, 3) Waterbody Keys, 4) Coding System for LLWW Descriptors (codes used for classifying and mapping wetlands), 5) Acknowledgments, 6) References, and 7) Glossary.

The purpose of this publication is to report the findings of the Service's wetlands inventory of New Jersey and to summarize existing information on New Jersey's wetlands. The chapters will include discussions of wetland concept and classification; National Wetlands Inventory techniques and results; wetland formation and hydrology; hydric soils, wetland vegetation and plant communities; wetland values; wetland trends; and wetland protection. The appendix contains a list of plants found in NJ's wetlands. A figure showing the general distribution of NJ's wetlands and deepwater habitats is provided.

The Narragansett Bay Estuary Program's (NBEP) goal is to protect and preserve Narragansett Bay through conserving and restoring natural resources and enhancing water quality. NBEP accomplishes this through a variety of projects, including interagency partnerships and community involvement. This report presents the results of this multi-agency cooperative project. It summarizes data for the entire estuary, with tabular results for each town given in the Appendices.

This publication discusses the assessments, functions, and characterizations of the Hackensack River Watershed.

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is an important coastal resource providing habitat for fish and shellfish and for stabilizing nearshore sediments, among other functions. Knowing the distribution and trends of this resource will aid coastal resource managers in their planning and management activities.

The purpose of this report is to explain how the NWIPlus data could be and was used for predicting wetland functions at the landscape-level for coastal Georgia and the rationale for assigning certain biotic and/or abiotic characteristics to eleven wetland functions: 1) surface water detention, 2) coastal storm surge detention, 3) streamflow maintenance, 4) nutrient transformation, 5) carbon sequestration, 6) sediment and other particulate retention, 7) bank and shoreline stabilization, 8) provision of fish and aquatic invertebrate habitat, 9) provision of waterfowl and waterbird habitat, 10) provision of other wildlife habitat, and 11) provision of habitat for unique, uncommon or highly diverse wetland plant communities.

The report is organized into seven sections: 1) Introduction, 2) Wetland Keys, 3) Waterbody Keys, 4) Coding System for LLWW Descriptors (codes used for classifying and mapping wetlands), 5) Acknowledgments, 6) References, and 7) Glossary.

This booklet provides the general public with the most up-to-date informtion on the status and recent trends in wetlands of five states in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Traditionally, most Americans have viewed natural wetlands as wastelands, places to be drained and converted for farming or filled for housing and industrial development. To date, over half of the country's wetlands that existed when the Pilgrims first landed in America have been destroyed. Today these ""wastelands"" are beginning to be recognized as one of the world's most valuable natural resources. They are the temperate zone equivalent of rain forests, serving vital life-sustaining functions in water-quality renovation, aquatic ecosystem productivity, and biodiversity, as well as providing benefits such as flood-damage protection and shoreline stabilization. In the revised and expanded edition of this classic guide, Ralph W. Tiner introduces readers to the ecology and beauty of these valuable natural resources. Topics include the formation and functions of wetlands, wetland types, causes of loss and degradation, and recent efforts to protect them. The discussion now includes many examples from the Great Lakes region and information on best management practices for working in and around wetlands including vernal pools. A new chapter on classification and assessment further clarifies how the unique characteristics of wetlands serve specific functions. ""In Search of Swampland"" also provides a field guide to wetland plants, soils, and animals. It includes detailed descriptions and illustrations - many of which are new to this edition - of more than 300 plants and 200 animals. Clear identification keys, information on how to distinguish typical hydric or ""wet"" soils from dryland soils, and general procedures for identifying wetlands in the field make this book an indispensable resource for readers with little or no training in wetland science, as well as for the scientist or amateur naturalist. While the book focuses on the northeastern and north-central regions of the United States (from Maine through Maryland and west to the Great Lakes states), many of the plants and animals described are common throughout much of the eastern United States. Tiner also includes a list of Northeastern wetlands to visit and suggestions on how we can all help save these vital, threatened areas.