Analysis Approach
Our approach for the Wetland Threats Analysis is to assess threats to wetlands in Wisconsin by geographic region and by wetland community type. We have determined the geographic and wetland type classification systems that provides a structure for the analysis. Our classification system includes eight geographic regions and twelve wetland community types (modified from the familiar system developed by Steve Eggers & Don Reed in Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin). We chose these regions and types to ensure that we address threats to all kinds of wetlands throughout Wisconsin, and because we wanted systems that were easily understandable by the general public. We have also reviewed many conservation planning documents and assembled a list of threats to wetlands that have already been identified.
We are consulting with statewide wetland experts to identify additional threats and then rank the threats according to the scope/extent, magnitude, and reversibility of each threat. We will also evaluate "opportunity areas" where tourism or recreation potential can contribute to wetland preservation efforts.
We also will examine threats to rare or localized wetland community types such as interdunal wetland and fresh wet meadow within regions where these types are present in Wisconsin. Not every type above is present in each geographic region. Within each geographic region, we will analyze threats only to those wetland community types that are present. See table below, adapted from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 2005. Wisconsin's Strategy for Wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Madison, WI.
