United States. Army. Corps of Engineers

U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station

Lawson M. Smith

Andrew G. Warne

Wetlands Research Program (U.S.)

It is widely acknowledged that effective wetland management must be done in a landscape context. Until now, however, there has not been a systematic approach to evaluating and managing wetlands and their functions as interactive components of the broader landscape. A conceptual and methodological framework is presented to serve as a comprehensive guide to wetland management. The framework recognizes that wetland landscapes are the product of interaction among atmospheric, geologic, hydrologic, and biologic materials and processes. Over time, changes in these interactions modify the flow of energy and material through the landscape causing wetlands to adjust to new equilibrium states. Hence, the management framework provides methods to monitor and evaluate the atmosphere, geology, and hydrology of a landscape to evaluate how these spheres of influence interact to produce wetland conditions. Such geomorphic evaluation reveals those factors that are critical to the maintenance and enhancement of wetland functions, thereby identifying processes and components of the landscape that warrant particular attention and protection measures. Using geomorphic analysis as a basis for decision making, the framework provides guidelines for locating and compiling existing data and assessing fiscal and human resources that are available for wetland landscape management. It provides guidance in establishing priorities and goals for management plans. The framework provides (Continued) specific guidelines for implementing long-term management programs that are capable of evolving as the database and understanding of the landscape increase.

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