Martha Sutula, Ph.D.Southern California Coastal Water

Research Project

Dr. Shawna DarkDepartment of Geography, Center for Geographic Studies

California State University, Northridge

Danielle BramCenter for Geographical Studies

California State University Northridge

What is a wetland?Generally, a wetland is land that is periodically flooded, by the tide, the rise of river flows, rain, or--in some cases--human action. Among the several types of wetlands are marshes, swamps, rivers, vernal pools, lakes, and ponds. (State of California)

Why are wetlands important?

• Provide a Source of Water

• Flood Control and Groundwater Recharge

• Water Quality Protection and Improvement

• Erosion Control

• Fish and Wildlife Habitat

• Biological Diversity

• Recreation

Project Overview

• The primary objective of this project is to produce a full set of wetland and riparian habitat maps for the south coast region.

Methodological Consistency

Wetland & riparian habitat maps are consistent with statewide and national wetland inventories.

National Inventory

StatewideInventory

WRP Regional Inventory

Wetlands Mapping Methodology

What is GIS?

Wetlands Mapping Methodology

General Methodology

Mapping with GIS

Field Validation

Stakeholder Validation

USFWS QC

Wetlands Mapping Methodology

Integrating GIS

• Use of Hydrology tools in Spatial Analyst to generate flow accumulation models from 10 meter NED’s.

Wetlands Mapping MethodologyFeatures Mapped

Wetlands Mapping Methodology

Features Mapped

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• Complicated features such as depressional wetlands, lakes, dams, etc.

• Congressional District 23: Congresswoman Lois Capps

• Congressional District 24: Congressman Elton Gallegy

• Congressional District 23: Congresswoman Lois Capps

• Congressional District 24: Congressman Elton Gallegy

Landscape Profiles

Congressional DistrictCongressional District

Student Achievement

http://www.socalwetlands.com

http://www.fws.gov/nwi/

National Wetlands Inventory

Southern California Wetlands Mapping

Project