Today is the day everyone has been waiting and preparing for. Before students begin field work, assisted by CWC staff members, the class should be broken into five groups. There is much to investigate in this wetland study. Sharing the various topics in a cooperative way will enable all data to be acquired within the time constraints of the class and the student's level of expertise. In certain instances, the student groups will need to cooperate, for example the cartographers will record the elevation of the wells after they have been placed by the hydrologists. After all the data is gathered, the groups can then form a team to analyze and prepare the data for a final report that will be sent to the CWC, and eventually used in the student forum.

We suggest the following groups:

Botanists: This group will be responsible for selecting plots and sampling the percent plant cover of each species in each plot. They will also record the height and approximate the crown coverage of the five shrubs or trees closest to the plot, and diameter breast height (dbh) of trees. They will work with the cartographers to map the major subclasses of the plants using Cowardin et al (1979).

Soil Scientists: This group will be responsible for taking all soil samples. They will dig soil pits to describe the soil profile. They will determine the dominant matrix and mottle colors for each sample which will be taken from the same randomly selected plots as the vegetation samples, and determine approximate wetness from soil samples. Soil samples will be collected in zip lock bags and returned to the lab for analysis of organic content and texture. This group will also install the sedimentation pads in the selected plots.

Zoologists: This group will be responsible for using the HSI models to determine the habitat suitability for each of the 10 species. This group will also be responsible for recording any sightings of animals while in the field.

Chemists/Hydrologists: This group will be responsible for following the water quality sampling procedures. They will test for temperature, pH and specific conductance. This group will also be responsible for the installation of the wells.

Cartographers: This group will be responsible for determining the jurisdictional boundary, drawing the base map, laying down the baseline and transects and working with the surveyor to measure the microtopography. These students will also be responsible for taking photographs of the site.

Because this is a real project and the data collected during this field work will be used in the CWC reference wetland database, many of the baseline measurements will be conducted by or supervised by CWC personnel with student assistance. During the site visit to acquire these data, we will require that duplicate measures be taken by the students. Dual data sheets will be maintained, and checked frequently by CWC staff for agreement. Disparate data will be remeasured. At the end of the day or sampling period, the dual data sheets must agree. One copy will remain with the students, one will return to Penn State with CWC staff.

The students, with oversight from teachers, will take the hand-written data sheets and enter the data into a spreadsheet program (Microsoft Excel). They will be required to check it, and then send it via disk or Internet to the CWC. Once received at the CWC, the data will be checked against a second copy of the original data sheets. Inquiries to the students will be made regarding any detected errors. Once approved, the data will be entered into the CWC database. Teachers will be notified when data have been accepted.

This sampling protocol was developed by the Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center (CWC) and has been adapted for use by the high school Adopt-a-Wetland program. Modifications in the protocol will be made as needed based on its effectiveness in this pilot program.

This protocol is intended for characterization of wetlands approximately 0.4 ha (1 acre) in size; the protocol may be altered to accommodate wetlands larger or smaller in size. The general approach is illustrated in Figure 28. All information is gathered along a series of transects on which grid points are evenly spaced at 20 m (65.5 ft) intervals. A minimum total transect length of 100 m (328 ft) is suggested. In order to adequately characterize a wetland of this size, 8 to 12 plots (grid points) should be established. An absolute minimum of six plots should be characterized. If the wetland is smaller than 0.4 ha (1 acre), grid points can be spaced at 10 m (32.8 ft) intervals to achieve the minimum of six grid points. If the wetland is significantly larger, grid points can be spaced at 30 m (98.4 ft) or 40 m (131.2 ft) intervals. See Appendix 5 for help converting to metric. The orientation of the transects is discussed in more detail in subsequent sections. If the wetland is located adjacent to a stream, at least one transect should cross the stream itself in order that stream topography can be characterized.

Field Sampling (all measurements to be in metric units, English units provided for comparison only)

I. Baseline, Base Map, and Jurisdictional Boundary

1) Establish baseline in an obvious and convenient location parallel to the long axis of the wetland allowing some upland area between baseline and expected wetland area. Under some conditions, it may be necessary to establish baseline in the wetland (e.g., for reasons of visibility, etc.)

2) Starting and ending points should be marked with a reinforcing rod (rebar) or other obvious permanent marker. Note position on map. If an accurate base map is not available, a sketch map may be created.

3) One of the CWC staff members will help the students record the azimuth of the baseline on created sketch map of site.

4) Record length of baseline (to nearest m or ft) on map.

5) If an accurate base map is not available, one may be created. Using basic surveying methods (transit, plane table, stadia rod recommended), map the expected wetland ( project area)

6) Using practices from standard delineation manuals, mark with flags the approximate boundary of the current jurisdictional wetland. Use the internal plots for documenting wetland occurrence. Add 2-3 upland plots as necessary to document upland conditions. Questionable areas can be determined after additional plots are measured during the procedures described below. Map the jurisdictional boundary. Elevations for the perimeter of the wetland and interior points can be obtained at this time using a stadia rod.

7) At this time, wetland vegetative communities that can be differentiated should be roughly mapped. The smallest unit of concern is 0.1 ac (0.04 ha).

II. Transects

1) Using random number generator/table, select end point of first transect (to nearest 0.1 m or ft) on baseline. Transects traverse entire expected wetland area into upland on far side, or to edge of study area. If wetland is adjacent to a stream, at least one transect should traverse the stream. Transects are perpendicular to baseline.

2)The remaining transects are established at uniform intervals along baseline (typically 20 m [65.6 ft], 5 m [16.4 ft] or 10 m [32.8 ft] can be used on small sites or 40 m [131.2 ft] on large sites). Number of transects depends on area of wetland. For each transect, record starting point on baseline.

3) Choose a transect that traverses a representative portion of the wetland as a center transect; it should have a maximum length of 100 m (328 ft).

III. Plots

1) Using the same intervals as the intervals between each transect, mark grid points (plot centers) along each transect with flags or stakes. Sampling plots are located at grid points along each transect. Label as T1-1 (Transect 1- Plot 1), T1-2, T1-3, …, T2-1 (Transect 2 - Plot 1), etc.

Note: Sampling of additional soil pits and plant quadrats along the wetland-upland boundary may be necessary to establish jurisdictional boundaries.

IV. Stream Map (when applicable)

A 100 m stream section is walked, and all inlets and outlets noted and recorded on a rough sketch of the stream/wetland complex.

V. Wetland Morphometry

1) Estimate the expected wetland area (nearest 0.0 ha or ac). When jurisdictional boundaries are determine, compute new area.

2) Record a yes/no measure of outlets for all macrotopographic depressions within the floodplain, if applicable. Macrotopographic depressions are defined as areas greater than the depression left by a large tree windfall, or about 10 m² (108ft²) within the floodplain.

3) Create a detailed microtopographic profile of the wetland by recording elevations taken every meter on the center transect with 100 m (300 ft) tape and transit and stadia rod (or comparable method). The location of the transect profile should be recorded on the map. Measure and record the elevation and location of the lowest observed point on the site (usually the discharge point or a depression) and any outlets using a transit and stadia rod.

VI. Plant Sampling

Plots are typically located on the left side of the transect to avoid trampling during characterization activities. Three sizes of plots are used to record various measures of the plant community: a 1 m² plot, a circular plot with a radius of 3 m (10 ft), and a circular plot with a radius of 11.6 m (38 ft). The plots are "nested", meaning that the 1 m² plot is inside the circular plot with a radius of 3 m (10 ft), and this plot is inside the circular plot with a radius of 11.6 m (38 ft). The activities in each plot are described separately as follows:

1) Within each plot (2 m x 0.5 m; 6.5 x 1.5 ft), visually estimate the percent cover to the nearest 5% for dominant species (up to 5 herbaceous, up to 5 woody species). Record % and species name on data sheet. CWC staff will help students identify plant species.

1) To gather data about additional species for species richness, note any other vascular plants observed within a 3 m (10 ft) radius plot centered on the plot point. Record in field notes for later tally of total number of species and species list.

2) Estimate the percent aerial cover of downed leaf and small woody material (less than 1 cm in diameter) in 3 m (10 ft) radius plot centered on plot point.

3) Measure the height and a circular projection of cover (crown) for all shrubs in a 3 m (10 ft) radius plot centered on the plot point. A shrub is defined as single stemmed woody plant less than 3 m (10 ft) tall, or a multi-stemmed woody plant regardless of height (e.g., rhododendron).

1) In reference forested wetlands, or where mature trees are present (natural, planted, volunteer) in the wetland, determine basal area (use angle gauge or prism plotless method) from center of each plot. Record diameter at breast height (dbh) to nearest 0.1 cm and species of all individuals tallied within a 11.6 m (38 ft) radius circle centered on plot (note: dbh is defined as the stem diameter 1.3 m [4.24 ft] above ground surface). Estimates of crown closure are necessary and can be made visually.

2) Estimates of percent herbaceous cover within a 11.6 m (38 ft) radius circle centered on plot are made visually and recorded.

3) As the team proceeds to the next grid point, count occurrences of downed woody material that crosses the transect. Downed material should be tallied by size class; size classes are the following:

4) As the team proceeds to the next grid point, identify and count macrotopographic depressions encountered along transect. Macrotopographic depressions should be tallied by depth classes; depth classes are the following:

VII. Soil Sampling

1) After transects and plots are mapped, select every other plot along each transect for locating soil pits. A minimum of 3 soil pits in the wetland should be characterized plus additional soil pits in the upland (as necessary for wetland delineation). Dig soil pit to at least 0.5 m (18 in) within 2 m (6 ft) of plot. Describe the soil profile in the pit (make sketch on data sheet of characteristics associated with the varying depths to nearest 1 cm or 1 in). Record the dominant matrix and mottle colors on the data sheet according to the Munsell Color Chart. Determine the relative wetness of soil and record. Describe any other hydrologic or hydric soil characteristics observed (see Appendix 4). An observation of the soil texture (sand; loamy sand; sandy loam & loan; silt loam & finer) and soil consistence (loose; friable; firm-extra firm; cemented) should be made at a depth of 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in) below the surface using standard field method (see Appendix 4). Presence of indicators of anaerobic activity, such as gaseous emissions, strong gleying, or presence of histosols should be noted. Record direct observation of redoxymorphic features. Record estimated percent organic matter utilizing observations of the cumulative thickness of the Oi, Oe and Oa horizons cross referenced with A horizon soil indicators according to the following table:

2) Collect soil samples for texture analysis and organic content from the sides of the pit at (not to exceed) 5 cm (2 in) and 20 cm (8 in) depths. Fill at least half of a one quart Ziploc bag (250 ml [8 oz.] minimum) and label by date, site, and plot. Send to the CWC for analysis.

Chemists and Hydrologists Student Group (3 - 4 students)

Zoological Student Group ( 4 - 6 students)