Wetlands and Urbanization: Implications for the Future

360pp  ISBN 1566703867      £68.00

• Discusses the effects of watershed development on the ecosystem
• Aids in developing management strategies that avoid and minimize damaging alterations of wetland structure and function
• Presents the research team's analysis of management issues
• Furnishes the guidelines that were developed and implemented by the research team

Urbanization affects wetlands in direct and indirect ways. Over the past several decades it has become increasingly apparent that unmanaged runoff is the primary threat to the country's watershed resources.

Wetlands and Urbanization: Implications for the Future is the result of a ten year research project focused on the understanding and managing the impacts of urban stormwater on wetlands. The book documents the background, methods, and results of the research and uses the information to draw conclusions about managing wetland ecosystems in urban areas. The project culminates in a set of comprehensive guidelines for the management of wetland hydrology.

While the focus of this research is regional in nature, its applications are broad. First, the research shows how to measure and assess the impact of urbanization on wetlands. Secondly, it presents scientific approaches available for use in an integrated assessment of wetland condition. And thirdly, it provides guidelines for biomonitoring wetlands using multiple indicators.

Wetlands and Urbanization presents an integrated watershed approach to the scientific evaluation of the impact of landscape urbanization on wetland functions. It associates the source of impact (the landscape) with the sink (the wetland), relates findings to implications for future planning and management of watersheds and provides a model for future comprehensive investigations of wetland impacts from urbanization.

Contents

Overview of the Puget Sound Wetlands and Stormwater Management Research Program, R.R. Horner

DESCRIPTIVE ECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER WETLANDS IN THE CENTRAL PUGET SOUND BASIN
Morphology and Hydrology, L.E. Reinelt, B.L. Taylor, and R.R. Horner
Water Quality and Soils, R.R. Horner, S.S. Cooke, L.E. Reinelt, K.A. Ludwa, and N.T. Chin
Characterization of Puget Sound Basin Palustrine Wetland Vegetation, S.S. Cooke and A.L. Azous
Emerging Macroinvertebrate Distribution, Abundance and Habitat Use, K.O. Richter
Amphibian Distribution, Abundance, and Habitat Use, K.O. Richter and A.L. Azous
Bird Distribution, Abundance, and Habitat Use, K.O. Richter and A.L. Azous
Small Mammal Distribution, Abundance, and Habitat Use, K.O. Richter and A.L. Azous

FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF FRESHWATER WETLANDS IN THE CENTRAL PUGET SOUND BASIN
Effects of Watershed Development on Hydrology, L.E. Reinelt and B.L. Taylor
The Effects of Watershed Development on Water Quality, R.R. Horner, S.S. Cooke, L.E. Reinelt, K.A. Ludwa, N.T. Chin, and M. Valentine
The Hydrolic Requirements of Common Pacific Northwest Wetland Plant Species, S.S. Cooke and A.L. Azous
Emergent Macroinvertebrate Communities in Relation to Watershed Development, K.O. Richter and K.A. Ludwa
Bird Communities in Relation to Watershed Development, K.O. Richter, and A.L. Azous

MANAGEMENT OF FRESHWATER WETLANDS IN THE CENTRAL PUGET SOUND BASIN
Managing Wetland Hydroperiod: Issues and Concerns, A.L. Azous, and L.E. Reinelt
Wetlands and Stormwater Management Guidelines, R.R. Horner, A.L. Azous, K.O. Richter, S.S. Cooke, L.E. Reinelt, and K. Ewing