Submitted to: Society of Wetland Scientists
Publication Type:
Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: March 15, 2008
Publication Date: May 26, 2008
Citation: Walbridge, M.R., Lang, M.W., Eckles, D. 2008. Documenting the effects of conservation practices and programs on Wetland Ecosystem Services in the Mid-Atlantic Region [abstract]. Society of Wetland Scientists. p. 378.
Technical Abstract: Wetlands can play key roles in agricultural landscapes because of the important ecosystem services they provide. Some wetland functions help to ameliorate the potentially deleterious effects of agriculture on the environment and natural resources, but agricultural practices can also lead to wetland degradation and loss. As landscape features, wetlands provide additional benefits to society through ecosystem services not directly linked to agriculture (e.g., wildlife habitat; recreation). In association with the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) we are developing a program to document the effects of conservation practices and programs and programs on wetland ecosystems services for the mid-Atlantic region of the US, focusing on non-tidal Coastal Plain wetland environments in NJ, DE, MD, VA, and NC. The program builds upon research associated with the Choptank Special Emphasis Watershed in MD, established as part of the CEAP effort for Croplands. Research at the Choptank is being expanded to include associated wetlands within the watershed. As the Choptank assessment progresses, lessons learned and protocols developed will be scaled up to the regional level through a combination of remote sensing (e.g., LIDAR), ecosystem modeling, and field studies. The overall objective is to develop a protocol for CEAP Wetlands regional assessments that can be transferred to and applied in other regions, drawing on data and lessons learned from other CEAP Croplands Watershed studies.
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