EPW: a procedure for the functional assessment of planned wetlands

• Published in: Water, air and soil pollution air and soil pollution, 1994-10, Vol.77 (3/4), p.533-541
• Main Author: Bartoldus, C.C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; decision making; Environmental degradation: ecosystems survey and restoration; environmental management; evaluation for planned wetlands; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; natural resource management; resource management; wetland construction; wetlands
• ISSN: 0049-6979; 1573-2932
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00478437

The practice of compensating wetland losses through wetland construction, restoration, or enhancement has become more commonplace; however, an appropriate method for assessing replacement of wetland function has been lacking. The Evaluation for Planned Wetlands (EPW) was developed to meet this need. It is a rapid assessment procedure which documents and highlights differences between a wetland assessment area and planned wetland based on their capacity to provide six functions: shoreline bank erosion control, sediment stabilization, water quality, wildlife, fish (tidal, non-tidal stream/river, and non-tidal pond/lake), and uniqueness/heritage. The differences between wetlands are expressed in terms of individual elements, Functional Capacity Indices, and Functional Capacity Units. The results provide information on individual design elements and measures of functional capacity which are a necessity under current regulatory programs that require tangible goals and a method for calculating planned wetland size. EPW includes functional assessment models, a procedure for using these models during the planning/mitigation process, and guidelines for functional design.