Development and use of a wetlands information system for assessing wetland functions

Abstract

AbstractA wetlands information management system was developed to assess various wetland functions and values in two townships in Michigan, USA. The goals of the study were to determine the effectiveness of a wetland‐assessment method integrated with a geographical information system (GIS) to assess appropriate environmental criteria, potential effects of wetland size and type on function, and to develop a user–friendly interface that local officials might use in decision‐making related to wetland preservation and land‐use planning. In order to assess seven wetland functions and two values, quantitative measures were incorporated using GIS techniques to derive some of the needed information from existing spatial databases. However, on‐site investigation was required for all assessments. Of 65 wetlands evaluated through the system, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found between wetland size and its ability to perform a given function. No single wetland type (e.g. forested, shrub/scrub, emergent, open water) had a higher probability of performing all wetland functions or values significantly more than another type. However, the combined application of on‐site evaluation and GIS technology might offer a more efficient method to assess wetland functions and values, with the latter providing an educational tool for local wetland planning and management.