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COURSE INFO PROVIDER: Northern Kentucky University Research and Education Field Station
COURSE TITLE: Wetland Plant Identification

INSTRUCTORS Jacob Bartley

COURSE DESCRIPTION The NKU REFS Wetland Plant Identification course covers fundamentals for vegetation training derived from the 1987 Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Manual and the Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP) / Midwest Regional Supplements. The vegetative section/component of determining hydrophytic vegetation is thoroughly covered both in the classroom and through hands-on field work to support the analytical framework of determining hydrophytic vegetation indicators.

This course exposes participants to different hydrogeomorphic class wetland sites which include depression, hillslope /seep, lacustrine fringe, and mineral soil flat types. Additionally, participants are exposed to different vegetative modifiers and include emergent, scrub-shrub, and forested wetlands.

This course focuses on those wetland plant species found in the above ecosystems. Participants learn how to identify numerous wetland plant species and some non-wetland/upland plant species found along wetland margins. This course focuses on students becoming familiar with the appropriate National Wetland Plant Lists (NWPLs) and species wetland plant indicator status. Participants learn different methods and techniques of conducting wetland vegetation sampling such as standard and nested forestry plots, line intercept, VIBI (Vegetative Index of Biotic Integrity), and meandering surveys.

Participants learn numerous wetland and non-wetland plants based on morphological and physiological characteristics. Both common name and scientific names of each plant are covered. Definitions of Five Vegetation Strata is additionally included.

Participants gain practice in completing the Vegetation and Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators section on wetland determination data forms, in which, they learn to conduct the Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation; Dominance Test worksheet; and the Prevalence Index worksheet. The 50/20 Rule, Morphological Adaptations, and Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation are covered. Definitions of Five Vegetation Strata is additionally included.
An experienced wetland scientist/instructor accompanies and participants with students in all parts of this course. All vegetative field guides, manuals, Regional Supplements, NWPLs, measuring tapes, flagging, and augur/spades are provided by NKU-REFs for fieldwork. It is optional if participants want to use their personal equipment.

Course Duration: 24
Credit Points: 1.6

SYLLABUS/TOPICAL OUTLINE See attached syllabus
View or download the outline here: NKURAEFSMK88-195_SecV_59599.pdf

COURSE CONTACT

NKU Research and Education Field Station (REFS)
99 Harrison Ct., Melbourne, KY 41059
refs@nku.edu
P: 8595726637
F:

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