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Using two classification schemes to develop vegetation indices of biological integrity for wetlands in West Virginia, USA

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Abstract

Bioassessment methods for wetlands, and other bodies of water, have been developed worldwide to measure and quantify changes in “biological integrity.” These assessments are based on a classification system, meant to ensure appropriate comparisons between wetland types. Using a local site-specific disturbance gradient, we built vegetation indices of biological integrity (Veg-IBIs) based on two commonly used wetland classification systems in the USA: One based on vegetative structure and the other based on a wetland’s position in a landscape and sources of water. The resulting class-specific Veg-IBIs were comprised of 1–5 metrics that varied in their sensitivity to the disturbance gradient (R 2 = 0.14 − 0.65). Moreover, the sensitivity to the disturbance gradient increased as metrics from each of the two classification schemes were combined (added). Using this information to monitor natural and created wetlands will help natural resource managers track changes in biological integrity of wetlands in response to anthropogenic disturbance and allows the use of vegetative communities to set ecological performance standards for mitigation banks.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, PO Box 6125, Percival Hall, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA

    Walter Veselka IV, James S. Rentch, William N. Grafton & James T. Anderson

  2. Wildlife Resources Section, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, PO Box 67, Ward Road, Elkins, WV, 26241, USA

    Walter S. Kordek

  3. Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, PO Box 6125, Percival Hall, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA

    James T. Anderson

Authors
  1. Walter Veselka IV
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  2. James S. Rentch
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  3. William N. Grafton
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  4. Walter S. Kordek
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  5. James T. Anderson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to James T. Anderson.

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W.N. Grafton passed away 11 September 2009.

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Veselka, W., Rentch, J.S., Grafton, W.N. et al. Using two classification schemes to develop vegetation indices of biological integrity for wetlands in West Virginia, USA. Environ Monit Assess 170, 555–569 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1257-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1257-2

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