| dc.description.abstract | Two wetland mitigation sites in Wood County, Wisconsin, were monitored
from February 1995 to October 1996. Information was collected for describing
and monitoring abiotic and biotic wetland functions and to assist in determining
success. This wetland study was instituted to complete the remaining 2 years of
monitoring as required by a mitigation permit. The Fontaine Mitigation Site
(FMS) (9.5 ha) and Nash Road Mitigation Site (NRMS) (14.6 ha) each consist of
enhanced and created wetlands and a lake. Biological communities including
herpetofauna, birds and mammals, invertebrates, fish, and aquatic vegetation were
assessed through drift fences including associated pitfall and funnel traps, chorus
surveys, observation surveys, incidental observations, phytomacrofauna samples,
fyke nets and seines, and quadrats. Water quality data were collected for
hydrology, temperature, rainfall, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, alkalinity,
and nutrients. Soils underlying each water body were mapped using Geographic
Information Systems.
During this 2 year period, 7 and >/= 6 species of small mammals, 10 and 12
species of herpetofauna, 10 and 9 species of fish, and 48 and 56 species of aquatic
vegetation were identified on the FMS and NRMS, respectively. In 1995-1996, at
least 200% more species of small mammals and 200% more species of
herpetofauna were found on each site respectively, than in 1993-1994. In addition,
229% and 267% more aquatic vegetation species were identified on the FMS and
NRMS, respectively, in 1995-1996 than in 1993-1994. Songbirds, waterbirds,
prey-birds, and mammals comprised 83%, 13%, 3%, and 2% of the wildlife
observed, respectively. Drift fences were found to be highly effective in assessing
species richness for small mammals and herpetofauna. Almost 39% more anurans
were captured in 1996 than 1995 at the NRMS; this increase can most likely be
attributed to greater precipitation in 1996. The relatively rare Cope's frog (Hyla
chrysoscelis) was documented at the NRMS with the chorus survey method.
Water quality appeared to be largely influenced by underlying soils,
geology, water source, and land use practices. The FMS lake is very productive,
(high macrophyte biomass) most likely because of nutrients entering the system
from overland flow and groundwater inflow from the agricultural field to the
north. The west ponds at the FMS were very unproductive and acidic due to the
high peat content ( organic acids) of underlying soils. Species richness, coverage,
and biomass of submergent aquatic vegetation was lower at the NRMS lake than
the FMS Lake due to a dense substrate which inhibited root penetration. However,
emergent vegetation species richness and coverage was extensive within the
wetland areas at the NRMS.
Qualitative and quantitative biological and chemical results from this study
and previous studies indicate the wetlands are fulfilling planned wetland functions
and can therefore be considered successful. | en_US |
