GLIN==> June 2 Seminar - Ann Arbor

[David Reid <david.reid@noaa.gov>]

Title:

          NOAA GREAT LAKES SEMINAR SERIES
 http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/news/seminars/
 
 
 Date: 
Monday, June 2, 2003
 
 Title: 
 "CHARACTERIZATION OF HYDRODYNAMICS USING HGM AND ECOREGIONS IN  SOUTHEASTERN
MICHIGAN "
 
 Speaker: 
David H. Merkey, M.L.A 
CILER, University of Michigan 
 
 Time: 
12:00 p.m.
 
 Where:
 GLERL Main Conference Room
 2205 Commonwealth Blvd.
 Ann Arbor, MI 48105
 For directions:
 http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/facil/triptik.html
 
 Abstract:
Hydrology is important in determining aspects of wetland structure and  function
including vegetation patterns, quality of wildlife habitat, and  nutrient
cycling. Historically, obtaining hydrologic data was time  consuming and
expensive and only collected for a few, scattered  wetlands. The hydrogeomorphic
(HGM) wetland assessment method has  recently been employed to understand
and assess wetland hydrology and  related functions across a broader scale
than previously possible. The  HGM method uses biogeographical regions (i.e.,
ecoregions) to  characterize regional subclasses of wetlands within the HGM
hierarchy.  Albert has developed a system of ecological regions for Michigan,
 Wisconsin, and Minnesota based on geology, climate, topography and other
 large-scale variables, many of which are important to wetland hydrology.
 To test the use of Alberts ecoregions for use in HGM, conductivity,  alkalinity
and monthly water levels were measured in 59 headwater and  depressional
wetlands in southeastern Michigan. Results show that  wetland hydrodynamics
vary with HGM class. Hydrodynamics in wetlands of  the depressional class
also varied among ecoregions, demonstrating that  Alberts ecoregions would
be useful as HGM biogeographical regions for  this wetland type. Through
the ability to characterize depressional  wetland hydrodynamics, HGM can
be useful in understanding patterns of  wetland functions across the landscape.
However, unlike results from  previous studies, water chemistry showed no
relationship to ecoregion or  HGM classification. Wetland water chemistry
may instead be a product of  depth at which samples were taken, substrate
type, location of sample  points with the wetland, recent weather patterns,
and/or anthropogenic  inputs at the site scale. 
 
 For more information, contact:
David Merkey
734-741-2291
david.merkey@noaa.gov
 
 
 - - - - - - - - - -
 
 Posted by:
 
 David F. Reid, Ph.D.
 U.S. Department of Commerce
 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
 Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
 2205 Commonwealth Blvd.
 Ann Arbor, MI 48105-2945
 Voice: 734-741-2019
 FAX: 743-741-2055
 GLERL home page:
 http://www.glerl.noaa.gov
 
 




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