wetlands inventory

Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Consortium:Inventory and Mapping: 

Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Consortium: Inventory and Mapping Ric Lawson GLCWC Coordinator Great Lakes Commission October 16, 2002

Overview: 

Overview Background Inventory compilation Classification Change in area Next steps

Background: 

Background Consortium determined the inventory to be a priority need Inventory of wetlands needed for: Geographic reference for monitoring Foundation of geographic database Starting point for landscape analysis (change in area and land use indicators)

Background: 

Background No currently complete inventory for the Great Lakes Several sub-regional inventories Data ownership and use issues

Inventory Compilation: 

Inventory Compilation Inventory sources: National Wetlands Inventory (MI, IL, IN, PA, NY) Wisconsin Wetlands Inventory Ohio inventory Various federal and provincial sources in Canada GLC worked to secure inventory datasets from all sources

Inventory Compilation: 

Inventory Compilation Limited data sharing arrangement with Wisconsin and Canadian data sets Gaps in coverage Variety in original data source resolution and timeframe

Wetlands Classification: 

Wetlands Classification Existing inventories utilize different classification systems Based on physical and biological components Consortium agreed to use a standard hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification that includes 10 types This classification has not been applied to existing inventories Classification will allow for comparative analyses

Change in Area: 

Change in Area Important indicator for SOLEC and Consortium Current estimates of wetland area lack precision Requires repeated collection and analysis of remotely sensed information Can be referenced to and create update of the compiled inventory Data processing likely costly and time intensive

Next Steps: 

Next Steps Finalize project to classify inventory and fill in gaps Assess technologies and methods for estimating wetland area Determine funding and resource needs Conduct pilot test of selected methods