Practical Considerations for Wetland Identification and Boundary Delineation

作者：Ralph W. Tiner · 发表于：Wetlands · 年份：2017 · DOI：10.1201/9780203733882-8 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics、Hydrology and Sediment Transport Processes、Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology

Since the 1970s, the federal government in the United States has been increasingly more active in regulating construction in wetlands. During this time many states have similarly developed programs to control development in wetlands. These regulations have necessitated the establishment of standardized procedures to identify and delineate wetlands. These methods utilize one or more types of wetland indicators, including hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and other indicators of periodic wetness associated with wetlands. Several methods have been used for wetland identification: (1) vegetation-based methods, (2) soil-based methods, (3) three-parameter methods (using plants, soils, and other signs of wetland hydrology), and (4) the primary indicators method (relying on unique features to indicate wetlands). This article reviews wetland indicators and how they have been used in these methods to identify and delineate wetlands. Wetland mapping is also discussed. Recommendations are offered on how to improve identification of wetlands for regulatory purposes. Since the 1960s and 1970s, wetlands have received increased attention in the United States due to the passage of wetland laws by numerous states and enactment of the Federal Clean Water Act and amendments. These laws and their accompanying regulations have placed certain restrictions on the use of wetlands on both private property and public lands. For the first time, it became important to establish the boundaries or limi...