Research Areas > Wetlands > Wetland Monitoring and Assessment > Wetland Information Mgmt Tools

Project Group: Wetland and Riparian Information Management Tools

SCCWRP Research

The ability for multiple entities to readily access data is a critical element of monitoring and assessment. For wetlands and riparian areas, there is currently a need for information management (IM) technology that makes it easier to access and compile monitoring data in a manner that allows analysis of large datasets and reporting of status and trends. IM tools that feature electronic, standardized data transfer formats can address this issue by making it easier to capture, compile, and disseminate data among a variety of monitoring organizations. IM tools also provide a mechanism to make these data available to the public via web-based platforms, advancing data visualization and/or summarization in an easily understandable format.

SCCWRP’s development of IM tools to support wetland monitoring and assessment has focused on answering three key management questions:

•  Where are wetlands and riparian habitat found? How is extent and distribution changing over time?
•  What is the condition of wetlands and riparian habitat?
•  What is the contribution of state-regulated projects to the acreage and condition of wetlands and riparian habitat in the region and statewide?

Priority data sources for which IM tools are being developed include standardized wetland and riparian habitat maps, the California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM), and the tracking of impacts from state-permitted wetland projects (Wetland Tracker). SCCWRP, together with partners at San Jose State University Research Foundation and the San Francisco Estuary Institute, has worked towards the development of two key IM tools:

• Wetland Tracker - The Wetland Tracker provides free public access to information about the location, size, sponsors, habitats, contact persons, and status of wetland restoration, mitigation, creation, and enhancement projects in selected regions of California. Planned and completed wetland projects are displayed on an interactive regional map. (http://www.californiawetlands.net/tracker/).
 

• eCRAM. eCRAM is a CRAM field-to-PC data management tool that provides a mechanism to directly upload these data to a statewide (www.cramwetlands.org).
 

SCCWRP scientists continue to assist SFEI in the development of these tools. SCCWRP is also hosting the Southern California Wetland Tracker and undertaking comprehensive mapping as key components of the Wetland Recovery Project’s (WRP) Integrated Wetlands Regional Assessment Program (IWRAP). SCCWRP additionally hosts a subcommittee of staff from wetland management and regulatory programs to develop guidelines for CRAM and Wetland Tracking implementation in agency programs.

Projects involving wetland information management tools include:

• State Wetland Toolkit