Assessing the natural range of variability in minimally disturbed wetlands across the Rocky Mountains: the Rocky Mountain ReMAP Project
Date
2012-05
Authors
Lemly, Joanna M., author
Newlon, Karen, author
Vance, Linda, author
Jones, George, author
Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
In Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah, extremes of mountain climate, high elevations and characteristic geology produce a large range of natural variability within ecological systems. Even under minimal human disturbance regimes, environmental gradients can result in wetlands with very low vegetation cover, low species diversity and unpredictable hydrologic shifts. Documenting the range of variability found under minimally disturbed conditions can help distinguish signal from noise when assessing more altered occurrences, and aid in the calibration of assessment metrics. The project was a collaboration between the Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP), the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) and the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (WYNDD). It had three objectives:1) identify reference standards for four wetland ecological systems across four Rocky Mountain ecoregions; 2) assess the range of natural variability of these ecological systems; and3) produce a regionally standardized Level 1,2 and 3 method for assessing and monitoring wetland condition, including quality assurance project plans, sampling strategies, and metrics calibrated to the four different wetland ecological systems. This report summarizes our approach, activities, and conclusions.
Description
Prepared for: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 35-40).
Includes bibliographical references (pages 35-40).
Rights Access
Subject
ecological conditions
aquatic resources
anthropogenic influences
mountain pine beetle
challenge cost share agreement