Background and Application of Riparian and Wetland Databases
In 1986, work began on developing a statewide riparian and wetland classification for Montana. During the spring of 1988, Dr. Paul Hansen was contracted by the BLM to develop and conduct a large scale inventory and assessment for the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River corridor. Thus began the process of working with the BLM to develop specific goals and objectives for the work. The major objective was to develop a sampling protocol that would allow the BLM to address some basic questions about the location, extent, and "health" of the various plant communities along 157 miles of the Missouri River and its tributaries. In addition, some basic soil and physical site information was also collected.
Since 1988, we have continually worked with Dan Hinckley, and later Karen Rice, of the BLM to develop various forms used to address a wide variety of questions. Throughout this time, we have also worked with a large number of BLM personnel including Vito Ciliberti, Tim Bozorth, Joe Frazier, Buck Damone, Jim Rosco, Brian Hockett, Jim Sparks, and Dan Bricco. In addition, Bill Haglan of the USFWS at Charles M. Russell NWR provided a great deal of critical review. Out of this collaborative effort, we have developed the following assessments for riparian and wetland areas: 1) lotic inventory (detailed inventory), 2) lotic health assessment (derived from the lotic inventory), 3) lotic health assessment for streams and small rivers (survey), 4) lotic health assessment for large river systems (survey), 5) lentic inventory (detailed inventory), 6) lentic health assessment (derived from the lentic inventory), and 7) lentic health assessment (survey). Each of the forms also includes a user guide to be used with each form. In addition, we utilize the Pfankuch channel assessment, the BLM's lotic proper functioning condition (PFC) checklist, and the BLM's lentic proper functioning condition (PFC) checklist.
Each form has its strengths and weaknesses. Our overall goal has been to provide land managers with a variety of "tools" to choose from in their "toolbox" (e.g., different tools for different needs). Which tool is the best for the job? This can only be answered after the specific goals and objectives are determined for the project (e.g., a needs assessment). Once this has been completed, the proper or best tool(s) can then be chosen.
Lotic Inventory (detailed inventory)--A comprehensive inventory of a stream segment and its associated riparian area, including detailed vegetation data, physical site data, some wildlife data, trend commentary, and photographs. The inventory form contains over 800 fields. The vegetation data collected includes species identification and canopy cover estimations, as well as age class breakdowns for each tree and shrub species. Physical site data includes channel morphology and condition, substrate composition, disturbance degree and kind, amount and cause of bare ground, and commentary. Wildlife data includes details of beaver activity and observations of fishery, amphibian, and reptile data.
Lotic Health Assessment (derived from Lotic Inventory Form)--An assessment of riparian functional health derived from data collected in the Lotic Inventory form. An array of vegetation (biotic) and physical site (abiotic) items are weighted and rated for calculation of a health evaluation index score. The items include information on hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and wetland hydrology.
Pfankuch Channel Assessment--This methodology was developed by Pfankuch (1978) to assess stream channels in mountainous situations. The methodology is a detailed assessment of on-site conditions that bear on the potential for sediment introduction and entrainment in a stream system.
Lotic Health Assessment for Streams and Small Rivers (survey)--A rapid assessment of lotic site functional health based on a similar set of factors as the Lotic Health Evaluation, but derived from on-site estimation instead of from the detailed Lotic Inventory form. This assessment has been taught to over 12,500 land owners/managers in Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, and the four western Canadian Provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
Lotic Health Assessment for Large River Systems (survey)--A rapid assessment of river functional health based on a set of factors similar to the Lotic Health Assessment for Streams and Small Rivers (survey), but with some differences to take into account differences of a large river vs. small river or a stream.
Lotic Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) Checklist--This form is based on the USDI BLM Process for Assessing Proper Functioning Condition (TR 1737-9 1993, revised 1995).
Lentic Inventory (detailed inventory)--A comprehensive inventory of a lentic site and its associated functional wetland area, including detailed vegetation data, physical site data, some wildlife data, trend commentary, and photographs. The inventory form contains over 800 fields. The vegetation data collected includes species identification and canopy cover estimations, as well as age class breakdowns for each tree and shrub species. Physical site data includes shoreline morphology and condition, substrate composition, disturbance degree and kind, amount and cause of bare ground, and commentary. Wildlife data includes observations of fishery, amphibian, and reptile data.
Lentic Health Assessment (derived from Lentic Inventory Form)--An assessment of wetland functional health derived from data collected in the Lentic Inventory form. An array of vegetation and physical site items are weighted and rated for calculation of a health evaluation index score. The items include information on hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and wetland hydrology.
Lentic Health Assessment (survey)--A rapid assessment of lentic site functional health based on a similar set of factors as the Lentic Health Evaluation, but derived from on-site estimation instead of from the detailed site inventory.
Lentic Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) Checklist--This form is based on the USDI BLM Process for Assessing Proper Functioning Condition for Lentic Riparian-Wetland Areas (TR 1737-11 1994).
DATABASE COMPARISONS
Database