Project Number: 1265-13610-027-05
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 25, 2007
End Date: Aug 31, 2010

Objective:
The main goal of this project is to quantify the ability of wetlands along an alteration gradient, to reduce nutrient loading in streams, the impact of wetland alteration on ecosystem functioning in adjacent streams, and to develop a landscape analysis tool, which can be used to estimate wetland services and guide management decisions.

Approach:
This project will employ a multi-disciplinary, multi-scale approach to meet project goals in the headwaters of the Choptank River Watershed, including depressional (e.g., Delmarva bays), flats, and/or riverine wetlands. A review of past research and data collected for this project and simultaneous USGS projects will be used to build a conceptual model of ground water flow for wetlands and hydrologically linked streams in different geomorphologic settings.Information on hydrology, water chemistry, and ecological functioning will be collected at typical wetland sites, divided equally between prior-converted (drained) wetlands on cropland, restored wetlands, particularly hydrologically restored wetlands, and relatively undisturbed wetlands. Remotely sensed imagery, geographic information system (GIS) technology, and simple biogeochemical relationships will be used to create a predictive landscape analysis tool, designed to support adaptive management. The potential of water quality models for the estimation of the cumulative impact of conservation practices (e.g., controlled drainage structures, cover crops, and riparian buffers) is currently being assessed by the Choptank Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP).