Graduate Project
 

The application of geographic information systems for delineation and classification of tidal wetlands for resource management of Oregon’s coastal watersheds

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_projects/5999n7779

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  • Resource managers of Oregon’s tidal wetlands require an improved GIS layer for management of existing tidal wetland habitat and areas considered for tidal wetland restoration. A reconnaissance project was initiated, such that interpretations of remote sensing data, the National Wetland Inventory, Oregon Estuary Plan Book and additional management tools were used to create a “tidal wetland” in an ArcGIS Geodatabase, for Oregon’s coastal estuaries, excluding the Columbia River. With an improved hydrologic delineation of tidal waters and channels this data set classifies existing tidal wetlands for future resource management use based on the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification (adopted nationally and by the State of Oregon) and for habitat classification based on the Oregon Estuary Plan Book classification system. The classification “restoration consideration areas” was developed for lands where restoration of tidal circulation might be geotechnically feasible pending further investigations. Additional groundwork and validation of the data set classification’s is recommended before this interpretation is used as an official reference for resource management. In addition to wetland classification this project was partly developed to provide a GIS base layer, which when combined with supplementary data sets, would enhance the ability of resource mangers and citizens to prioritize tidal wetland restoration efforts and evaluate the ecological integrity of an individual tidal wetlands or an entire estuarine complex. A simple spatial analysis of this data set’s classification system by watershed and comparison to the Oregon State of the Environment Report 2000 (SER) shows improvements to total existing tidal marsh habitat. It also shows that the SER underestimated the total habitat lost due to anthropogenic alteration based on information and techniques available for their assessment. Additional development of the data set may enhance management of Goals 16 and 17 of Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goals Guidelines, aid in management of non-point source pollution and the designation Critical Habitat and restoration priorities for the endangered Coastal Coho. Resource managers and citizens will be able to view and interpret this data set and supporting documentation at the OSU Library or in part online at the Oregon Coastal Atlas (www.coastalatlas.net).
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