Identifying wetlands

Three characteristics are used to identify wetlands:

1) Vegetation – are plant communities specially adapted to wetlands present? Consult a local guide to wetland plants.

2) Soil – are “hydric” soils present? Hydric soils have characteristics that indicate they were developed where oxygen was limited by the presence of water for long periods. Consult your local office of the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

3) Hydrology – is water present for long periods during the growing season?

Many of the largest wetlands are identified on National Wetlands Inventory maps available from the US Fish & Wildlife Service.

(http://wetlands.fws.gov)

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