Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A state wide biological assessment of wetlands was continued in 2012 with the laboratory and data analysis phase. The assessment is an intensification study of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA) that was scheduled for the growing season of 2011. The study is a collaborative project between Dr. DeKeyser, Dr. Christina Hargiss, Dr. Jack Norland, Dr. Tom DeSutter, and Dr. Marinus Otte from NDSU. Additionally, the project is a collaboration between NDSU, the ND Department of Health (NDDH), ND Agriculture Department, the US EPA National Headquarters, the US EPA Western Ecological Division, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Overall, the project entails comparing regionally specific methods of wetland assessment developed by NDSU and the NDDH against those developed by the EPA for the NWCA, and report on ecosystem services and soil physical and chemistry issues of wetlands in North Dakota. In 2012, the majority of the vegetation, soils, chemical, and hydrology data was analyzed in the laboratory. Dr. DeKeyeser was invited to present the initial results of this study in two presentations at the Eighth National Monitoring Conference in Portland, OR. The initial results were also presented at the 9th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference by Lindsey Meyers, Matt Stasica, Dr. Hargiss, and Dr. DeKeyser. Finally, Lindsey Meyers, Dr. Hargiss, and Dr. DeKeyser were invited to present at the North Dakota Water Quality Monitoring Conference. Matt Stasica published a M.S. Thesis on portions of the results from this research. Dr. DeKeyser is aiding the EPA with data related issues of the NWCA, and is currently working with Lindsey Meyers and the EPA on nitrogen dynamics in wetlands surveyed in 2011. The EPA's interest in NDSU's expertise is derived directly from our current and past wetland research. A final report was also submitted for the field work completed in 2011. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Edward S. DeKeyser aides as the principal investigator for wetland assessment activities and is in charge of experimental and sampling design, data interpretation, reporting, and publications. Lindsey Meyers with the above tasks, and aided in data collection, entry, and analysis. Drs. Hargiss, Norland, and DeSutter have played major roles in the intensification study of the EPA's NWCA. Dr. Otte and his team in Biological Sciences are in charge of all multi-elemental fingerprinting analysis. The graduate student included Matt Stasica. TARGET AUDIENCES: The main audiences for this project are the NRCS, NDDH, and EPA. The NDDH is in charge of the waters of North Dakota, which include wetlands. The results of this study will be utilized by both the NDDH and the EPA to report on the condition of the wetlands of North Dakota. The EPA's main target audience is the US Congress; however, other potential audience members include, but are not limited to wetland scientists, plant ecologists, soil scientist, non-profit wetland managers, public wetland managers, and other conservation agencies. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Laboratory analysis of soil chemistry has been completed for the 2011 sample sites. Biomass and chemical analysis has also been completed for the vegetation samples at the sites. An analysis of total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), and C:N ratio has been completed for the sites as well at three different landscape positions at varying biological conditions. Although there were noticeable trends, there were no significant differences in TC, TN, or C:N in the different landscape positions. Also, even thought there was a trend from higher C:N ratios in poorer quality wetlands toward higher quality, there was no significant differences. However, there were significant differences in the plant type by landscape position in C:N. A particularly interesting result was the same plant type (grass/grass likes) were significantly different in the wetland versus in the upland. Another outcome of the 2011 survey was the development of a statewide wetland rapid assessment technique. Previously the technique was developed just for the Prairie Pothole Region. We were able to include data from several different wetlands other than Prairie Pothole type wetlands, and the resultant assessment method has a wider range of applicability, even outside North Dakota.
Publications
- Yellick, A., D.L. Jacob, E.S. DeKeyser, C.L.M. Hargiss, C. Yan, and M.L. Otte. 2012. Multi-element fingerprinting of wetland soils yields insight into wetland quality and functioning. 9th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference. June. Orlando, FL.
- DeKeyser, S., C. Smith, and C. Dixon. 2012. Wetland plant community responses to sediment removal in the Prairie Pothole Region. 9th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference. June. Orlando, FL.
- DeKeyser, S., C. Hargiss, and M. Ell. 2012. Preliminary results from the North Dakota intensification of the National Wetland Condition Assessment. National Water Quality Monitoring Council, Eighth National Monitoring Conference, Water: One Resource Shared Effort Common Future. May. Portland, OR.
- DeKeyser, S. and M. Ell. 2012. Capitalizing on an Opportunity: An example of a multiple collaborator endeavor formed around the National Wetland Condition Assessment in North Dakota. National Water Quality Monitoring Council, Eighth National Monitoring Conference, Water: One Resource Shared Effort Common Future. May. Portland, OR.
- DeKeyser, S., C. Hargiss, L. Meyers, and M. Ell. 2012. The development of a multiple collaborator venture connected to the National Wetland Condition Assessment in North Dakota. North Dakota Water Quality Monitoring Conference. February. Bismarck, ND.
- Hargiss, C.L.M., E.S. DeKeyser, and M.J. Ell. 2012. Wetland assessment in North Dakota using three tiered assessment methods. North Dakota Water Quality Monitoring Conference. February. Bismarck, ND.
- Hargiss, C.L.M., E.S. DeKeyser, J.E. Norland, T. DeSutter, Lindsey Meyers, and M.J. Ell. 2012. The North Dakota intensification of the NWCA: An endeavor in collaboration. 9th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference. June. Orlando, FL.
- Meyers, L.M., and E.S. DeKeyser. 2012. Wetland assessment and ecosystem services. North Dakota Water Quality Monitoring Conference. February. Bismarck, ND.
- Otte, M.L., D. Jacob, L. Kissoon, A. Yellick, A. Asgary, S. DeKeyser, C. Hargiss. 2012. Multi-element fingerprinting for monitoring water and sediments. North Dakota Water Quality Monitoring Conference. February. Bismarck, ND.
- Stasica, M.P., E.S. DeKeyser, C.L.M. Hargiss, and L.M. Meyers. 2012. Testing the transferability of regional and class specific wetland assessment methods possibilities for a statewide approach. Northern Plains Biological Symposium. April, 19. Fargo, ND.
- Stasica, M.P., E.S. DeKeyser, C.L.M. Hargiss, and L.M. Meyers. 2012. Examination of statewide wetland assessment methods for North Dakota. 9th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference. June. Orlando, FL.
- Meyers, L.M., E.S. DeKeyser, J.E. Norland, C.L.M. Hargiss, and T. DeSutter. 2012. Above and below ground nutrient cycling in Northern Prairie wetlands. 9th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference. June. Orlando, FL.
- Meyers, L.M., S. DeKeyser, J. Norland, C. Hargiss, T. DeSutter, and M. Ell. 2012. The national wetland condition assessment North Dakota intensification: Preliminary results. Northern Plains Biological Symposium. April, 19. Fargo, ND.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A state wide biological assessment of wetlands was continued in 2011 with the data acquisition phase. The assessment is an intensification study of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA) that was scheduled for the growing season of 2011. The study is a collaborative project between Dr. DeKeyser, Dr. Christina Hargiss, Dr. Jack Norland, Dr. Tom DeSutter, and Dr. Marinus Otte from NDSU. Additionally, the project is a collaboration between NDSU, the ND Department of Health (NDDH), ND Agriculture Department, the US EPA National Headquarters, the US EPA Western Ecological Division, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Overall, the project entails comparing regionally specific methods of wetland assessment developed by NDSU and the NDDH against those developed by the EPA for the NWCA, and report on ecosystem services and soil physical and chemistry issues of wetlands in North Dakota. In 2011, all the vegetation, soils, chemical, and hydrology data was obtained for all entities participating, with our Program leading the effort in data collection at all levels, even the EPA's NWCA data. The results of past wetland assessment related research completed by NDSU have been presented at the International meeting for the Society for Range Management in Billings, Montana in February 2011, where both Dr. Hargiss and Dr. DeKeyser were invited to give symposium presentations. The results were also presented at five other regional and local events. Dr. DeKeyser is still acting as a national consultant for the EPA as part of the implementation of the NWCA, and he is aiding with data related issues currently that will be used in the analysis and reporting phases of the NWCA. The EPA's interest in NDSU's expertise is derived directly from our current and past wetland research. A final report was also submitted dealing with the assessment of wetland vegetation responses to sediment removal in Prairie Pothole Region wetlands as a restoration practice. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Edward S. DeKeyser aides as the principal investigator for wetland assessment activities and is in charge of experimental and sampling design, data interpretation, reporting, and publications. Dr. Christina Hargiss assisted with the above tasks, and aided in data collection, entry, and analysis. Drs. Norland and DeSutter have played major roles in the intensification study of the EPA's NWCA. Dr. Otte is in charge of all multi-elemental fingerprinting analysis. Graduate students include Matt Stasica, Lindsey Meyers, and Caitlin Smith. TARGET AUDIENCES: The main audiences for this project are the NRCS, NDDH, and EPA. The NDDH is in charge of the waters of North Dakota, which include wetlands. The results of this study will be utilized by both the NDDH and the EPA to report on the condition of the wetlands of North Dakota. The EPA's main target audience is the US Congress; however, other potential audience members include, but are not limited to wetland scientists, plant ecologists, soil scientist, non-profit wetland managers, public wetland managers, and other conservation agencies. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
NDSU personnel completed US EPA training on methods used during the NWCA. Training of graduate and undergraduate students on field techniques was completed for all techniques utilized during the project. There were a total of 10 NDSU employees, 5 ND Department of Health employees, and 12 NRCS employees who participated with data acquisition the summer of 2011. A total of 53 wetland sites were visited during the growing season of 2011, randomly located throughout the state of North Dakota. Data included, but is not limited to, vegetation composition, vegetation biomass, vegetation chemistry, soil profile, soil chemistry, soil elemental, water chemistry, water contaminants, hydrology, landscape, buffer, and land-use data. Much of these data are currently undergoing lab analysis, data entry, and data proofing. There has been very little data analysis completed. The development and acceptance of Standard Operating Procedures that could be used for such a complex endeavor was a major accomplishment in 2011. Research completed on sediment removal indicates a positive response in wetland vegetation as far as suitable habitat for certain wildlife, and waterfowl species.
Publications
- DeKeyser, S. 2011. Vegetation responses to sediment removal in North Dakotas Prairie Pothole Region wetlands. Jamestown College 4th All-Science & Math Symposium. October 14, 2011. Jamestown, ND.
- Yellick, A.H., D. Jacob, S. DeKeyser, C. Hargiss, and M. Otte. 2011. Element fingerprinting or soils to predict wetland characteristics. North Central Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists annual meeting. September 23. Jamestown, ND.
- Smith, C.L., E.S. DeKeyser, and C. Dixon. 2011. Effects of sedimentation removal on vegetation communities in Prairie Pothole wetlands in North Dakota. Northern Plains Biological Symposium annual meeting. April. Grand Forks, ND.
- DeKeyser, E.S. 2011. Wetland resources and issues in the Prairie Pothole Region of the Northern Great Plains. International meeting of the Society for Range Management. February. Billings, MT. (Invited oral presenter)
- Smith, C.L., E.S. DeKeyser, and C. Dixon. 2011. Effects of sedimentation removal on vegetation communities in Prairie Pothole wetlands in North Dakota. North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society annual meeting. February. Mandan, ND.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A study on the application of wetland assessment methods developed for the Prairie Pothole Region and other "unique" ecoregions of North Dakota was finished in 2010. The study was completed in the Pembina Gorge, Red River Valley, Turtle Mountains, and Missouri Plateau ecoregions of North Dakota. The methods were used and compared in the large scale regional survey. Data were collected on a total of 35 reference quality wetlands within the four unique ecoregions, and was analyzed for possible applicability. The physical and vegetative data from the regional survey was also modeled to identify possible vegetative states in existence in North Dakota's current agro-ecosystem landscape. The results have been given to the ND Department of Health (NDDH) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the form of an annual and final report of one funding cycle, and an annual report in the current funding cycle. Also in 2010, a state-wide biological assessment of wetlands was started, as part of an intensification study of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA) scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2011. The study is a collaborative project between Dr. DeKeyser, Dr. Christina Hargiss, Dr. Jack Norland, Dr. Tom DeSutter, and more recently Dr. Marinus Otte. The project is also in collaboration between NDSU, the ND Department of Health, the US EPA National Headquarters, the US EPA Western Ecological Division, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Overall, the project entails comparing regionally specific methods of wetland assessment developed by NDSU and the NDDH against those developed by the EPA for the NWCA, and report on ecosystem services and soil physical and chemistry issues of wetlands in North Dakota. The results thus far completed have been presented at the International meeting for the Society of Wetland Scientists in Salt Lake City, Utah in June 2010 in one presentation. The results were also presented at the International Society of Range Management meeting in Denver, CO in February 2010 in two presentations, and four other presentations on this research have been made locally and regionally. The EPA continues to utilize NDSU's expertise through Dr. DeKeyser acting as a national consultant for the final development of protocol for the upcoming EPA NWCA scheduled in 2011. The EPA's interest in NDSU's expertise is derived directly from our current and past wetland research. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Edward S. DeKeyser aides as the principal investigator for wetland assessment activities and is in charge of experimental and sampling design, data interpretation, reporting, and publications. Dr. Christina Hargiss assisted with the above tasks, and aided in data collection, entry, and analysis. Drs. Norland and DeSutter have played major roles in the intensification study of the EPA's NWCA. Dr. Otte is in charge of all multi-elemental fingerprinting analysis. TARGET AUDIENCES: The main audience for this project is the NDDH and EPA. The NDDH is in charge of the waters of North Dakota, which include wetlands. The results of this study will be utilized by both the NDDH and the EPA to report on the condition of the wetlands of North Dakota. The EPA's main target audience is the US Congress; however, other potential audience members include, but are not limited to wetland scientists, plant ecologists, non-profit wetland managers, public wetland managers, and other conservation agencies. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Hargiss, C.L.M., E.S. DeKeyser, D.R. Kirby, and M.J. Ell. 2010. Sample size adequacy and comparison of three tiered wetland assessment methods for use in the Prairie Pothole Region. International meeting of the Society for Range Management. February. Denver, CO.
- Paradeis, B.L., E.S. DeKeyser, D.R. Kirby. 2010. Evaluation of restored and native prairie pothole region plant communities following an environmental gradient. Natural Areas Journal 30:294-304.
- Hargiss, C.L.M., E.S. DeKeyser, D.R. Kirby, and M.J. Ell. 2010. Comparison of three tiered wetland assessment methods for use on wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region. US EPA, Region 8: Wetland Program Capacity Building Workshop. September. Bozeman, MT.
- Otte, M.L., A.H. Yellick, E.S. DeKeyser, C.L.M. Hargiss, and D.L. Jacob. 2010. Multi-element fingerprinting of soils for classification and assessment of wetlands. US EPA, Region 8: Wetland Program Capacity Building Workshop. September. Bozeman, MT.
- Yellick, D.L. Jacob, E.S. DeKeyser, C.L.M. Hargiss, M.L. Otte. 2010. Multi-elemental fingerprinting: A tool for assessment of wetland quality based on soil chemistry. US EPA, Region 8: Wetland Program Capacity Building Workshop. September. Bozeman, MT.
- Hargiss, C.L.M., E.S. DeKeyser, J. E. Norland, D.R. Kirby, and M.J. Ell. 2010. Assessment of reference wetlands within unique ecoregions of North Dakota. International meeting for the Society of Wetland Scientists. June/July. Salt Lake City, UT.
- DeKeyser, E.S., C.L.M. Hargiss, D.R. Kirby, and M.J. Ell. 2010. Prairie pothole species composition within a current agroecosytem landscape. International meeting of the Society for Range Management. February. Denver, CO.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2009, a large scale regional biological assessment of wetlands was finalized and a dissertation was completed by Christina Hargiss. Additional soils data was collected from a selected sub-set of wetlands from this study in a collaborative research effort between Dr. DeKeyser and Dr. Marinus Otte from the Department of Biological Sciences at NDSU. The soils sampled have been analyzed with a multi-elemental fingerprint technique developed by Dr. Otte. The North Dakota Rapid Assessment Method (NDRAM), the Landscape Wetland Condition Assessment Model (LWCAM), the on-site Index of Plant Community Integrity (IPCI) developed by NDSU and the ND Department of Health (NDDH), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) on-site Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Model method are being evaluated for their utilization within unique habitats of North Dakota including the Pembina Gorge, Red River Valley, Turtle Mountains, and Missouri Plateau ecoregions. These methods were used and compared in the large scale regional survey. Data have been collected for a total of 35 reference quality wetlands within the four unique ecoregions, and is currently being analyzed for possible applicability. In collaboration, the NRCS collected soils data from each of the 35 locations which will be further analyzed by NDSU. The physical and vegetative data from the regional survey was also modeled to identify possible vegetative states in existence in North Dakota's current agro-ecosystem landscape. Those results can now be compared to results generated by previous models. These results have been given to the ND Department of Health and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the form of an annual and final report of one funding cycle, and an annual report in the current funding cycle. A report was also generated for the NDSU - North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station/College of Science and Mathematics small grants program. The LWCAM, NDRAM, and IPCI are all products for the NDDH as part of their water quality monitoring program, and have officially been incorporated into the North Dakota's Water Quality Monitoring Strategy for Surface Waters handbook. North Dakota is the first state within EPA Region VIII to develop an official document of this kind outlining the methods used by the state, and how the results will be utilized. The results of the regional assessment and the multi-elemental fingerprinting have been presented at the International meeting for the Society of Wetland Scientists in Madison, Wisconsin in June 2009 in three separate presentations. The results of the regional assessment were also presented in two separate presentations at the International Society for Range Management meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico in February 2009. The EPA continues to utilize NDSU's expertise through Dr. DeKeyser acting as a national consultant for the development of protocol for their upcoming EPA National Wetlands Survey scheduled in 2011. The EPA's interest in NDSU's expertise is derived directly from our current and past wetland research. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Edward S. DeKeyser is the principal investigator for wetland assessment activities and is in charge of experimental and sampling design, data interpretation, reporting, and publications. Dr. Christina Hargiss assisted with the above tasks, and aided in data collection, entry, and analysis. Dr. Otte is in charge of all multi-elemental fingerprinting analysis. TARGET AUDIENCES: The main audience for this project is the NDDH and EPA. The NDDH is in charge of the waters of North Dakota, which include wetlands. The tools developed through this research are being and will be applied to aid the NDDH to monitor, assess, and protect the waters of North Dakota. Other potential audience members include, but are not limited to wetland scientists, plant ecologists, non-profit wetland managers, public wetland managers, and other conservation agencies. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The identification of sample size adequacy needed for each survey method were generated from the regional assessment research. These results are important to the NDDH's wetland assessment program for efficiency purposes. The LWCAM is the most cost effective method with an adequate sample size needed of 20 to 75 wetland sites depending on certainty desired. However, this method has a coarse resolution best utilized to assess wetland conditions over large geographical areas. The NDRAM sample size would be between 30 to 90 wetland sites to adequately represent a region. The NDRAM is more costly, but more information is obtained with a lower level of expertise which could include seasonal employees hired by the NDDH. The IPCI method requires a sample size of 30 to 80 wetland sites depending on desired certainty. The IPCI is the most costly method, takes the most time to conduct, and requires a high level of expertise.The HGM sample size adequacy was also between 30 to 90 sites, and also requires some level of expertise. The IPCI and HGM methods may only need to be utilized on a four to five year rotational basis to track long-term changes. Utilizing existing physical and vegetation data collected from a six year time period a model was developed to identify existing vegetation states within wetlands of the Prairie Pothole Region. Three major vegetation types were identified: native prairie, planted/invaded exotic grass, and cropland. The data from the regional survey were modeled in a similar fashion, and resulted in the same vegetation types. The main conclusion from this analysis was both cropland and native prairie could form the planted/invaded exotic grass state. Also, this state seems to be persistent once formed.
Publications
- DeKeyser, E.S., M. Biondini, D. Kirby, and C.L.M. Hargiss. 2009. Low prairie communities of wetlands as a function of disturbance: Physical parameters. Ecological Indicators 9:296-306.
- Hargiss, C.L.M. 2009. Estimating wetland quality for the Missouri Coteau ecoregion in North Dakota. PhD Dissertation. North Dakota State University. Fargo, ND.
- Hargiss, C.L.M., E.S. DeKeyser, D.R. Kirby, and M.J. Ell. 2009. Comparison of three tiered wetland assessment methods for use in the Prairie Pothole Region. International meeting for the Society of Wetland Scientists. June. Madison, WI.
- Hargiss, C.L.M., E.S. DeKeyser, D.R. Kirby, and M.J. Ell. 2009. Wetland species composition of a Prairie Pothole agroecosystem. International meeting for the Society of Wetland Scientists. June. Madison, WI.
- Yellick, A.H., D.L. Jacob, E.S. DeKeyser, C.L.M. Hargiss, and M.L. Otte. 2009. Rapid assessment of wetlands by multi-element fingerprinting. International meeting for the Society of Wetland Scientists. June. Madison, WI.
- DeKeyser, E.S., C.L.M. Hargiss, D.R. Kirby, and M.J. Ell. 2009. Wetland condition assessment using the North Dakota Rapid Assessment Model and the Index of Plant Community Integrity. International meeting for the Society for Range Management. February. Albuquerque, NM.
- Hargiss, C.L.M., E.S. DeKeyser, D.R. Kirby, and M.J. Ell. 2009. Wetland condition assessment of the Missouri Coteau using a probabilistic design. International meeting for the Society for Range Management. February. Albuquerque, NM.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The North Dakota Rapid Assessment Method (NDRAM) was developed to rapidly assess wetland health within the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North Dakota. The method was applied on nearly 1000 wetlands within a designated area of the Missouri Coteau of central ND. A subset of 255 wetlands was further analyzed utilizing the NDSU developed Landscape Wetland Condition Assessment Model (LWCAM), the NRCS's on-site Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Model method, and the on-site Index of Plant Community Integrity (IPCI) developed by NDSU and the ND Department of Health (NDDH). A comparison of accuracy and resolution was made among the methods. Each method estimated wetland health; however, the LWCAM had the coarsest resolution, followed by the NDRAM, with the finest resolution coming with the more rigorous on-site HGM and IPCI methods. We also assessed the affects of prairie restoration on wetland plant communities. These results have been given to the ND Department of Health and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the form of two final reports of one funding cycle, and an annual report in the current funding cycle. The NDRAM is a product for the ND Department of Health as part of their water quality monitoring program. The results of the NDRAM and the regional assessment have been presented at the International meeting for the Society of Wetland Scientists in Washington, DC in June 2008 in three separate presentations, and presented once at the International Society for Range Management meeting in Louisville, KY. Four other presentations were by invitation at the Sixth National Monitoring Conference of the National Water Quality Monitoring Council (Atlantic City, NJ) and the US EPA, Region 8: Wetland Training Conference (Rapid City, SD). One thesis was produced as well. The EPA has utilized NDSU's expertise twice (Portland, OR and Crystal City, VA) the past year by inviting Dr. DeKeyser to be a national consultant for the development of protocol for their upcoming EPA National Wetlands Survey scheduled in 2011. The EPA's interest in NDSU's expertise is derived directly from our current wetland research. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The wetland assessment research within a defined area of the Missouri Coteau in central ND yielded the following results: 1) the LWCAM conditions were Good = 44%, Intermediate = 4%, and Poor = 52%; 2) the NDRAM conditions were Good = 26%, Fair = 45.5%, and Poor = 28.5%; and 3) the IPCI conditions were Very Good = 18 %, Good = 18%, Fair = 16%, Poor = 21%, and Very Poor = 27%. These results identified strengths and weaknesses of each assessment method that are essentially products for the NDDH's wetland assessment program. The LWCAM is a cost effective method that has a very coarse resolution, and would be best utilized to assess wetland conditions, and changes in those conditions, over large geographical areas (e.g. the disappearance of large tracts of grasslands). The NDRAM is more costly; however, a great deal of information may be obtained with a lower level of expertise in wetland and botanical ecology and identification. This is a method that could be utilized by the NDDH on a annual basis to track wetland conditions utilizing seasonal employees already hired for other tasks. The IPCI method is the most financially and time costly method, and requires a high level of expertise. This method obtains a large amount of valuable data, and would be better suited as a calibration method or verifying method utilized on a rotational basis on a smaller sample size of wetland areas. Also, the IPCI method may only need to be utilized on a four to five year basis. Results of the effects of prairie restoration indicated that restoration success is dependent on several factors which include: ecoregional differences, post management intensity, landscape potential, and application of historic disturbance regimes. These results will help guide financial and time efforts of numerous non-profit, private, state, and federal land managers who are considering prairie restoration as part of management. For example, restoration in the northwest Missouri Coteau ecoregion of ND may have a better chance of success than restoration in the far southeast of ND. Also, managed fire and grazing are essential as post restoration management techniques to maintain biodiversity.
Publications
- Paradeis, B.L. 2008. Plant community composition of wetlands located in restored and native prairie. M.S. Thesis. North Dakota State University. Fargo, ND.
- Hargiss, C.L.M., E.S. DeKeyser, D.R. Kirby, and M.J. Ell. 2008. Regional assessment of wetland plant communities using the index of plant community integrity. Ecological Indicators 8:303-307.
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