Co-author: Sally Jarosz, Wisconsin DNR
Title: Reference wetland hydrologic regime monitoring
Abstract: In the hopes of further informing wetland compensatory mitigation efforts and restoration goals, the Wisconsin DNR undertook an effort to better understand the hydrologic regimes of commonly-restored wetlands in the Southern portion of Wisconsin: southern sedge meadows and wet-mesic prairie communities. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we were unable to gather as much field data as we had originally proposed, but we expect to continue monitoring. We studied 19 reference-quality sites over 2 years, evaluating seasonal water level fluctuations, vegetation composition, and soil types. This poster will show observed differences between the two community types and discuss how hydrologic trends can inform restoration and mitigation actions. Primarily, we will show the differences in seasonal water levels and how water levels responded to rain events between community types and soil types. We will also assess the relationships between hydrologic conditions and wetland vegetation. Finally, we will discuss future study expansion options and how to modify study designs in the future to improve results.
View Poster:
https://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Liam-Kolb-Poster.Kolb_.Liam_.pdf
Bio: Liam Kolb received his bachelor's degree in geology from the University of North Dakota in 2017. Prior to his position with WDNR, he worked in southeast Minnesota with the Conservation Corp. Liam has been at WDNR since 2019 working in the water quality section in wetland monitoring. His primary focuses have been hydrology, water quality, and soil sciences.