1987 Wetland Delineation Manual - The Wetlands Regulation Center

Wetland Delination Manual, 1987 48
Hydrophytic vegetation is present at the observation point when more than 50 percent of the
dominant species have an indicator status of OBL, FACW, and/or FAC (For the FAC-neutral
option, see paragraph 35a); when two or more dominant species have observed
morphological or known physiological adaptations for occurrence in wetlands; or when other
indicators of hydrophytic vegetation (PART III, paragraph 35) are present. Complete the
vegetation section of DATA FORM 1. PROCEED TO (2).
(2) Soils. In some cases, it is not necessary to characterize the soils. Examine the vegetation
of DATA FORM 1. Hydric soils can be assumed to be present when:
(a) All dominant plant species have an indicator status of OBL.
(b) All dominant plant species have an indicator status of OBL and/or FACW (at least one
dominant species must be OBL). Soils must be characterized when any dominant species has
an indicator status of FAC.
When either (a) or (b) applies, check the hydric soils blank as positive and PROCEED TO (3).
If neither (a) nor (b) applies but the vegetation qualifies as hydrophytic, dig a soil pit at the
observation point using the procedure described in Appendix D, Section 1. Examine the soil
immediately below the A-horizon or 10-inches (whichever is shallower) and compare its
characteristics (Appendix D, Section 1) with the hydric soil indicators described in PART III,
paragraphs 44 and/or 45. Record findings on DATA FORM 1. If a positive hydric soil
indicator is present, the soil at the observation point is a hydric soil. If no positive hydric soil
indicator is found, the area at the observation point does not have hvdric soils and the area at
the observation point is not a wetland. Complete the soils section of DATA FORM 1 for the
observation point. PROCEED TO (3) if hydrophytic vegetation (1) and hydric soils (2) are
present. Otherwise, PROCEED TO STEP 20d.
(3) Hydrology. Examine the observation point for indicators of wetland hydrology (PART III,
paragraph 49), and record observations on DATA FORM 1. Consider the indicators in the
same sequence as presented in PART III, paragraph 49. If a positive wetland hydrology
indicator is present, the area at the observation point has wetland hydrology. If no positive
wetland hydrologic indicator is present, the area at the observation point is not a wetland.
Complete the hydrology section of DATA FORM 1 for the observation point. PROCEED TO
STEP 20d.
d. Wetland determination. Examine DATA FORM 1 for the observation point. Determine
whether wetland indicators of all three parameters are or would normally be present during a
slgnificant portion of the growing season. If so, the area at the observation point is a wetland.
If no evidence can be found that the area at the observation point normally has wetland
indicators for all three parameters, the area is a nonwetland. PROCEED TO STEP 20e.
e. Sample other observation points along the first transect. Continue along the first transect
until a different community type is encountered. Establish a representative observation point
within this community type and repeat STEP 20c - 20d. If the areas at both observation points
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