Presenters:
Andy Cutko, Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
Justin Schalwin, Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
Ecological Integrity Assessments of Maine Wetlands
Presented by: Andy Cutko, Maine Natural Areas Program
The Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP) is adapting the Ecological Integrity Assessment (EIA) methods to collect enhanced, objective and quantitative data on the condition of
selected ME wetlands based on specific biological and functional indicators. The EIA methodology has been endorsed by EPA and implemented by several states as a systematic and repeatable method to evaluate wetlands for conservation or restoration. It involves remote and field-based metrics, the ID-ing of key ecological attributes and stressors, standard protocols for evaluating those attributes, and the use of aggregated metrics to rank wetlands. MNAP is working to adapt EIA methods from NH and apply them to ME. The resulting ME EIA methodology has potential for use by wetland consultants, state biologists, and others in assessing ME wetlands for conservation or restoration.
River Corridors Status: Assessment of Floodplain Forests
Presented by: Justin Schlawin, Maine Natural Areas Program
Maine’s floodplain forests are among the most intact in the northeastern United States. Due to the regional importance of these forests, MNAP has begun to inventory and map wall-to-wall coverage of its rare floodplain natural community types including Silver Maple Floodplain Forest (S3) and Hardwood River Terrace Floodplain Forest (S2). A GIS-model was developed to identify priorities for field inventory, and sites are being surveyed using Ecological Integrity Assessment (EIA) methodology. Field inventory within the Penobscot River watershed is completed and results are being used to inform land management
This webinar was part of the New England Wetland Webinar series, and was hosted by NEIWPCC. Learn more: [ Ссылка ]
