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This project analyzed historical extent and losses of tidal wetlands on the outer coast of Oregon, USA, evaluated separately for each major habitat class (tidal forested, tidal scrub-shrub, and tidal emergent wetlands). Understanding historical extent and losses for each of these three habitat classes is important for conservation and restoration planning, since each supplies unique ecosystem services. Losses were determined through analysis of information on historical estuary extent, historical vegetation, current vegetation, and tidal connectivity (diked/non-diked status). The dataset groups mapped areas into user-friendly mapping categories: areas lost due to diking; areas that remained tidal wetlands (by vegetation type); and other major categories. Geographic scope includes the 15 largest estuaries on the Oregon coast, representing 96.5% of the coast's historical tidal wetland area. |
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This project analyzed historical extent and losses of tidal wetlands on the outer coast of Oregon, USA, evaluated separately for each major habitat class (tidal forested, tidal scrub-shrub, and tidal emergent wetlands). Understanding historical extent and losses for each of these three habitat classes is important for conservation and restoration planning, since each supplies unique ecosystem services. Losses were determined through analysis of information on historical estuary extent, historical vegetation, current vegetation, and tidal connectivity (diked/non-diked status). The dataset groups mapped areas into user-friendly mapping categories: areas lost due to diking; areas that remained tidal wetlands (by vegetation type); and other major categories. Geographic scope includes the 15 largest estuaries on the Oregon coast, representing 96.5% of the coast's historical tidal wetland area. |
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Estuary Technical Group, Institute for Applied Ecology, Corvallis, Oregon, USA |
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<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>This project analyzed historical extent and losses of tidal wetlands by habitat class (forested, scrub-shrub, and emergent) for the outer coast of Oregon, USA. Evaluating historical extent and losses separately for each of these three habitat classes is important for conservation and restoration planning, since each supplies unique ecosystem services. </SPAN></P><P><SPAN>The project report is available at https://appliedeco.org/wp-content/uploads/Brophy_2019_Oregon_tidal_swamp_and_marsh_losses_FINAL_Dec2019.pdf</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Project report: Brophy, L.S. 2019. Comparing historical losses of forested, scrub-shrub, and emergent tidal wetlands on the Oregon coast, USA: A paradigm shift for estuary restoration and conservation. Prepared for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership. Estuary Technical Group, Institute for Applied Ecology, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>The study was undertaken because studies in two Oregon estuaries showed that tidal forested wetlands had been extensive prior to European settlement, but their losses have been much higher than losses of tidal emergent wetlands ("tidal marsh"). To set priorities for restoration and conservation, coastal land managers and restoration practitioners need to know whether this has been the case across the entire Oregon coast. This study's results confirm the disproportionate losses of tidal forested and tidal scrub-shrub wetlands: 95% of these two wetland types have been lost, compared to 59% loss of historical tidal marsh. Results also reveal that tidal forested wetlands occupied over half of historical tidal wetland area (54%) on the Oregon coast, making conservation and restoration of these nearly-eradicated tidal forests an urgent priority. </SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>Losses were evaluated using existing maps of historical estuary extent, historical vegetation, current vegetation, and diking status (diked/non-diked). Diked areas are considered lost. Areas where vegetation was converted from one major class to another (generally from tidal forested wetland to tidal emergent wetland) were also considered lost. Losses due to diking and vegetation conversion are analyzed separately in the accompanying report cited below: </SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;">Brophy, L.S. 2019. Comparing historical losses of forested, scrub-shrub, and emergent tidal wetlands on the Oregon coast, USA: A paradigm shift for estuary restoration and conservation. Prepared for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership. Estuary Technical Group, Institute for Applied Ecology, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>The study included Oregon's 15 largest estuaries south of the Columbia River; these 15 estuaries contain 96.5% of the coast's historical tidal wetland area, so they are representative of Oregon's outer coast. </SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>The data contained in this layer, as summarized in the report above, represent a major step forward in understanding the history of the Oregon coast. No previous study measured the historical prevalence or losses of tidal forested wetlands on the entire coast, so the potential ecological significance of this habitat type's near-eradication has been largely unrecognized. Recent research has emphasized the importance of habitat diversity in supporting species of concern such as salmonids. For example, a diverse landscape array of salmonid habitats contributes to diversity in the fish population, thus supporting population sustainability and resilience. This study shows that tidal forested wetlands, a major component of the historical landscapes in which salmonids evolved, have been nearly eradicated. </SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>This study highlights the urgency of protecting Oregon's remaining tidal forested wetlands, and restoring them where possible. An appendix highlights key considerations for tidal swamp restoration, and emphasizes the need for further field monitoring and research to support these efforts. </SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV> |
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<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>This product is for informational purposes only and is not intended for navigational, legal, engineering, or surveying purposes; it is provided with the understanding that conclusions drawn from the information are the responsibility of the user.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV> |
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OR_tidal_wetland_loss_by_hab_class_20191020_Summary_Stats_MAP_SYMB |
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["Biosphere > Aquatic > estuarine","estuarine","land surface","surface","pre-settlement","modern","recent","North America","United States of America","West Coast","Pacific Ocean","Oregon","Clatsop","Tillamook","Lincoln","Lane","Douglas","Coos","Curry","environment","environment","elevation","inlandWaters","inlandWaters","oceans","oceans","aquatic habitat","marsh","swamp","wetland","wetlands","tidal","intertidal","estuary","estuarine","estuaries","coast","coastal zone","coastal basin","coastal environment","coastal plain","coastline","environment","estuary","floodplain","harbor","lagoon","lowland","natural resource","ocean","port","bay","river","surface water","tide","tide flat","water","high tide","inundation","slough","stream","streams","surface water","biota","biota","elevation"] |
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en-US |
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