Abstract
Wetland environmental characteristics are examined to determine their spatial and temporal relationships. Two very different Oregon freshwater wetlands provided a range of wetland types. Results are evaluated to determine the possible use of environmental characteristics in defining wetlands and their boundaries. Representative physical, hydrological, and edaphic properties were periodically measured in microplots along upland/wetland transects. A multivariate approach is stressed in the data analysis; correlation, cluster analysis, and principal components analyses were used. The results indicate the environmental characteristics change in a quantifiable manner both spatially and temporally. The controlling mechanism is moisture, spatially in terms of the upland/wetland transect and temporally with respect to seasonal response. These changes do not correlate well with vegetation. Several hypotheses are offered as an explanation. Correlation within environmental characteristics is variable but definite patterns are discernible. These data suggest both single and combinations of environmental characteristics that could serve as “keys” in wetland identification and boundary determination. However, before extensive use is made of this information additional long-term monitoring of wetland environmental characteristics will be required.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Boesch, D. F. 1977. Application of numerical classification in ecological investigations of water pollution. US EPA Ecological Research Series, report EPA-6003-77-033.
Boon, J. D., D. M. Ware, and G. M. Silberhorn. 1978. Survey of vegetation and elevational relationships within the central Atlantic coastal region. Unpublished report to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, Oregon.
Boss, T. R. 1983. Vegetation ecology and net primary productivity of selected freshwater wetlands in Oregon. Doctoral thesis, Department of Geography, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
CFR. 1980. Code of Federal Regulations, Part 230. Guidelines for specification of disposal sites for dredge or fill material. Federal Register, vol. 45, no. 249.
Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, and E. T. La Roe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. Office of Biological Services, Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior.
De la Cruz, A. 1978. Primary production processes: summary and recommendations. Pages 79–86in R. E. Good, D. F. Whigham, and R. L. Simpson (eds.), Freshwater wetlands: ecological processes and management potential. Academic Press, New York. 378 pp.
De la Cruz, A. 1979. Production and transport of detritus in wetlands. Pages 162–174in P. E. Greeson, J. R. Clark, and J. E. Clark (eds.), Wetland functions and values: the state of our understanding. American Water Research Association technical publication TPS 79–2. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Eilers, H. P., A. Taylor, and W. Sanville. 1983. Vegetative delineation of coastal salt marsh boundaries: evaluation of methodology. No. PB 83–107 441. National Technical Information Service.
EPA and US Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. The ecological impacts of wastewater on wetlands: an annotated bibliography. EPA-9053-84-002, February 1984.
Frenkel, R. E., T. R. Boss, and S. R. Schuller. 1978. Transition zone vegetation between intertidal marsh and upland in Oregon and Washington. Unpublished report to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, Oregon.
Gauch, H. G. 1977. ORDIFLEX: a flexible computer program for four ordination techniques. Ecology and Systematics Department, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
Gosselink, J. G., and R. E. Turner. 1978. The role of hydrology in freshwater wetland ecosystems. Pages 63–78in R. E. Good, D. F. Whigham, and R. L. Simpson (eds.), Freshwater wetlands: ecological processes and management potential. Academic Press, New York.
Harvey, H. T., M. J. Kutilek, and K. M. Divittorio. 1978. Determination of transition zone limits in coastal California wetlands. Unpublished report to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, Oregon.
Hastings, R. W., and R. E. Good. 1977. Population analysis of fishes of a freshwater tidal tributary of the lower Delaware River.Bulletin of the New Jersey Academy Sciences 22:13–20.
Matthews, W. 1981. PDP 11/70 Cluster User's guide. Internal document, US Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, Oregon.
Mulholand, P. J. 1981. Organic carbon flow in a swampstream ecosystem.Ecological Monographs 51:307–322.
Mulholand, P. J., and E. J. Kuenzler. 1979. Organic carbon export from upland and forested watersheds.Limnology Oceanography 24:960–966.
Nicols, D. S. 1984. Capacity of natural wetlands to remove nutrients from wastewater.Journal of the Water Pollution Control Federation 55:495–505.
NWI. 1978. National Wetland Inventory. Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior, St. Petersburg, Florida. Personal communication.
Odum, W. E., M. L. Dunn, and T. J. Smith. 1979. Habitat value of tidal freshwater wetlands. Pages 248–255in P. E. Greeson, J. R. Clark, and J. E. Clark (eds.), Wetland functions and values: the state of our understanding. American Water Research Association technical publication TPS 79-2. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Schitoskey, G., and R. L. Linder. 1979. Use of wetlands by upland wildlife. Pages 307–311in P. E. Greeson, J. R. Clark, and J. E. Clark (eds.), Wetland functions and values: the state of our understanding. American Water Research Association technical publication TPS 79–2. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Simpson, R. L., R. E. Good, M. A. Leck, and D. F. Whigham. 1983. The ecology of freshwater tidal wetlands.Bioscience 33:255–259.
Sniffen, R. 1981. River herring utilization of floodplains. Final report to US Environmental Protection Agency. Corvallis, Oregon.
Tilton, D. L., and B. R. Schwegler. 1979. The values of wetland habitat in the Great Basin. Pages 267–277in P. E. Greeson, J. R. Clark, and J. E. Clark (eds.), Wetland functions and values: the state of our understanding. American Water Research Association technical publication TPS 79-2. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Van der Valk, A. G., and C. B. Davis. 1978a. Primary production of prairie glacial marshes. Pages 21–37in R. E. Good, D. F. Whigham, and R. L. Simpson (eds.), Freshwater wetlands: ecological processes and management potential. Academic Press, New York.
Van der Valk, A. G., and C. B. Davis. 1978b. The role of seed banks in the vegetation dynamics of prairie glacial marshes.Ecology 59:322–335.
Van der Valk, A. G., and C. B. Davis. 1981. The impact of a natural drawdown on the growth of four emergent species in a prairie glacial marsh.Aquatic Botany 9:301–322.
Weller, N. W. 1978. Management of freshwater marshes for wildlife. Pages 267–284in R. E. Good, D. F. Whigham, and R. L. Simpson (eds.), Freshwater wetlands: ecological processes and management potential. Academic Press, New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sanville, W.D., Eilers, H.P., Boss, T.R. et al. Environmental gradients in northwest freshwater wetlands. Environmental Management 10, 125–134 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01866425
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01866425