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Wetland Delineation Fundamentals

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Wetland Delineation Fundamentals

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: Caitlin Bloomer, Ph.D.

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Recall the steps involved in wetland delineation and the resources available for remote identification.
Explain the importance of hydric soils and hydrophytic vegetation in wetland delineation, and describe the field indicators used in these components.
Apply your knowledge to identify and assess field indicators for hydrology, hydric soils, and vegetation in real-world wetland environments.
Develop wetland delineation reports, incorporating best practices and addressing problematic situations.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

In this course, learners will get familiarized with the major components of wetland delineation, including the steps involved and the resources available for remote identification. They will explore the field indicators for hydrology, hydric soils, and vegetation, essential for accurate wetland delineation. The course will cover the best practices for writing wetland delineation reports and the differences between wetland delineation and jurisdictional determination. By the end of the course, learners will have a comprehensive understanding of the processes and indicators used in wetland delineation, enabling them to conduct accurate and effective assessments.

This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the graduate-level certificate, "Wetland Science and Conservation" that can be stacked toward an online master's degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. To learn more about online programs from the College of ACES and explore ways to apply your Coursera work toward a degree program at the University of Illinois, visit ACES Online at acesonline.illinois.edu.

Module details

In the course orientation, you will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course. Then dive into the second part of this module where you will learn the essential steps involved in wetland delineation, discover resources for locating wetlands remotely, and understand the key field indicators of hydrology in wetlands.

What's included

20 videos4 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

20 videosTotal 59 minutes

Course Overview1 minute
Meet Your Instructor | Caitlin Bloomer1 minute
Module 1 | Overview2 minutes
What is wetland delineation? 3 minutes
Defining a Wetland for Delineation4 minutes
Conducting a Wetland Delineation5 minutes
Overview of Locating Wetlands1 minute
Using Aerial Imagery and Satellite Data4 minutes
Synthetic Aperture Radar3 minutes
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Wetland Mapping4 minutes
Interpreting National Wetland Inventory (NWI) Data3 minutes
Soil Surveys for Wetland Mapping2 minutes
Using LiDAR for Wetland Detection3 minutes
Citizen Science and Crowdsourced Data2 minutes
Limitations of Remote Wetland Identification3 minutes
Overview of Hydrology Field Indicators2 minutes
Primary Hydrology Indicators4 minutes
Secondary Hydrology Indicators3 minutes
Seasonal Variability and Hydrology5 minutes
Module 1 | Wrap- up2 minutes

4 readingsTotal 35 minutes

Course Guide5 minutes
Updating Your Profile10 minutes
Course Glossary10 minutes
Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Module 1 | Knowledge Check30 minutes
Orientation Quiz10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates10 minutes

In this module, you will explore the importance of assessing hydric soils for wetland delineation, learn about the field indicators used for all hydric soils, and delve into specific indicators for sandy or loamy soils. By completing this module, you will gain the skills to identify and evaluate hydric soils, which are crucial for accurate wetland delineation.

What's included

12 videos3 readings1 assignment4 plugins

12 videosTotal 66 minutes

Module 2 | Overview1 minute
Overview of Hydric Soils and Their Role in Wetland Delineation5 minutes
Preliminary Assessment of Hydric Soils Before On-Site Delineation5 minutes
Field Sampling Protocol for On-Site Delineation5 minutes
Overview of Hydric Soil Indicators5 minutes
Characterizing Soil for Wetland Delineation9 minutes
Indicators for the Accumulation of Organic Matter8 minutes
Indicators for Redox Depletions6 minutes
Indicators for Redox Concentrations6 minutes
Sandy Soil Indicators6 minutes
Loamy Soil Indicators8 minutes
Module 2 | Wrap-up3 minutes

3 readingsTotal 70 minutes

Course Glossary 10 minutes
Resources for Hydric Soil Indicators20 minutes
Resources for Preliminary Soil Assessment40 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 2 | Knowledge Check30 minutes

4 pluginsTotal 8 minutes

Marsh Wetland Soil Sample & Squeeze Test2 minutes
Fen Wetland Soil Sample & Squeeze Test2 minutes
Bog Wetland Soil Sample & Squeeze Test2 minutes
Swamp Wetland Soil Sample & Squeeze Test2 minutes

In this module, you will understand the role of vegetation in wetland delineation, identify field indicators for hydrophytic vegetation, and learn about the sequential tests used to confirm hydrophytic vegetation. By the end of this module, you will be equipped to assess vegetation indicators effectively, ensuring comprehensive wetland delineation.

What's included

15 videos2 readings1 assignment

15 videosTotal 54 minutes

Module 3 | Overview2 minutes
What is a wetland plant? 2 minutes
The Role of Plants in Wetland Ecosystems (1) 4 minutes
The Role of Plants in Wetland Ecosystems (2)6 minutes
The Relationship Between Vegetation, Hydrology, & Soils4 minutes
Iconic Wetland Plants6 minutes
National Wetland Plant List 4 minutes
Using Plants to Identify Wetlands4 minutes
The Seasonality of Wetland Plant Communities3 minutes
Rapid Test3 minutes
Dominance Test3 minutes
Prevalence Test4 minutes
Morphological Adaptations4 minutes
Non-Vascular Plants4 minutes
Module 3 | Wrap-up2 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Course Glossary10 minutes
Resources for Wetland Vegetation Indicators10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 3 | Knowledge Check30 minutes

In this module, you will discuss best practices for writing comprehensive wetland delineation reports, learn how to describe and report problematic situations, and examine the differences between wetland delineation and jurisdictional determination. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!