Biodiversity in Southeastern, Seasonally Ponded, Isolated Wetlands: Management and Policy Perspectives for Research and Conservation

Seasonally ponded, isolated wetlands (SPIWs) in the southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States are shallow basins that are not connected to streams or lakes, and their hydrology is primarily driven by rainfall and shallow, subsurface, water flow. Recognition of the importance of SPIWs in mainta...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the North American Benthological Society 1999-12, Vol.18 (4), p.553-562
Main Authors: Kirkman, L. K., Golladay, S. W., Laclaire, L., Sutter, R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural management
Biodiversity conservation
Bridges
Environmental conservation
Forest management
Habitat conservation
Natural resources conservation
USA
USA, Southeast
Wetland conservation
Wetlands
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife ecology
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Summary:Seasonally ponded, isolated wetlands (SPIWs) in the southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States are shallow basins that are not connected to streams or lakes, and their hydrology is primarily driven by rainfall and shallow, subsurface, water flow. Recognition of the importance of SPIWs in maintaining regional biodiversity has been slow to emerge. Meanwhile, these systems are quietly disappearing as anthropogenic activities reduce their ability to support characteristic fauna and flora. Not only is available scientific information insufficient to support regulatory decision-making, but identification of priorities for protection/conservation of these imperiled ecosystems is difficult given the lack of information on regional distribution and the absence of a classification scheme. A multidisciplinary working group developed a basic framework necessary to initiate a regional approach to ensure the long-term biological integrity of SPIWs. The major components of this conservation framework focused on 5 activity areas: 1) education, 2) research, 3) protection, 4) private property incentives, and 5) restoration. The recommendations for strategic coordination of information flow and identification of information needs are not applicable exclusively to conservation of biodiversity in southeastern SPIWs. However, recognition of these wetlands as integral and significant habitats of the once-dominant, longleaf pine ecosystem in the southeastern US, and the need to emphasize their roles in maintaining biodiversity, is uniquely important to the region.
ISSN:0887-3593
1937-237X
DOI:10.2307/1468387