1987 Wetland Delineation Manual - The Wetlands Regulation Center
1987 Wetland Delineation Manual - The Wetlands Regulation Center
1987 Wetland Delineation Manual - The Wetlands Regulation Center
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<strong>Wetland</strong> Delination <strong>Manual</strong>, <strong>1987</strong> 44<br />
relative basal area, consider both the size and number of individuals of a species and subjectly<br />
compare with other species present.) ,greatest height (woody understory), greatest percentage<br />
of areal cover (herbaceous understory), and/or greatest number of stems (woody vines).<br />
PROCEED TO STEP 8.<br />
• STEP 8 - Record Indicator Status of Dominant Species. Record on DATA FORM 1 the<br />
indicator status (Appendix C, Section 1 or 2) of each dominant species in each community<br />
type. PROCEED TO STEP 9.<br />
• STEP 9 - Determine Whether Hydrophytic Vegetation Is Present. Examine each DATA<br />
FORM 1. When more than 50 percent of the dominant species in a community type have an<br />
indicator status (STEP 8) of OBL, FACW, and/or FAC (for the FAC-neutral option, see<br />
paragraph 35a.), hydrophytic vegetation is present. Complete the vegetation section of each<br />
DATA FORM 1. Portions of the area failing this test are not wetlands. PROCEED TO STEP<br />
10.<br />
• STEP 10 - Apply <strong>Wetland</strong> Hydrologic Indicators. Examine the portion of the area occupied<br />
by each plant community type for positive indicators of wetland hydrology (PART III,<br />
paragraph 49). Record findings on the appropriate DATA FORM 1. PROCEED TO STEP 11.<br />
• STEP 11 - Determine Whether <strong>Wetland</strong> Hydrology Is Present. Examine the hydrologic<br />
information on DATA FORM 1 for each plant community type. Any portion of the area<br />
having a positive wetland hydrology indicator has wetland hydrology. If positive wetland<br />
hydrology indicators are present in all community types, the entire area has wetland hydrology.<br />
If no plant community type has a wetland hydrology indicator, none of the area has wetland<br />
hydrology. Complete the hydrology portion of each DATA FORM 1. PROCEED TO STEP<br />
12.<br />
This term is used because species having the largest individuals may not be dominant when<br />
only a few are present. To determine relative basal area, consider both the size and number of<br />
individuals of a species and subjectively compare with other species present. For the FACneutral<br />
option, see paragraph 35a.<br />
• STEP 12 - Determine Whether Soils Must Be Characterized. Examine the vegetation section of<br />
each DATA FORM 1. Hydric soils are assumed to be present in any plant community type in<br />
which:<br />
a. All dominant species have an indicator status of OBL.<br />
b. All dominant species have an indicator status of OBL or FACW, and the wetland boundary<br />
(when present) is abrupt. <strong>The</strong> soils parameter must be considered in any plant community in<br />
which:<br />
a. <strong>The</strong> community is dominated by one or more FAC species.<br />
b. No community type dominated by OBL species is present.<br />
c. <strong>The</strong> boundary between wetlands and nonwetlands is gradual or nondistinct.<br />
d. <strong>The</strong> area is known to or is suspected of having significantly altered hydrology.<br />
25 February 1997 Environmental Techncal Services Co. 834 Castle Ridge Rd Austin, Texas 78746