Evaluating Wetland Function Using Geographic Information Systems: A Method for Land-Use Planning

Wetlands provide numerous benefits for natural and man-made environments. They help filter out pollutants from stormwater runoff, provide buffering capabilities against flooding, and provide a diverse ecosystem in which certain plants and animals thrive. Because of their ecological importance, the ability to evaluate the quality of a wetland is critical in order to protect, restore, and manage wetlands. Traditionally, wetland assessments have primarily involved field-based evaluation methods. However, certain elements of a wetland evaluation can be determined off-site, prior to an in-field evaluation. For this project, I use Geographic Information System (GIS) software to perform certain wetland evaluation elements for the purpose of improving the evaluation process. Specifically, I use readily available GIS data as a basis for determining certain indicators of the value of a wetland. The analysis is not intended to fully replace field evaluation techniques; a "hands-on" field evaluation of a particular wetland can reveal crucial details that would likely be overlooked in a strictly GIS-based evaluation. Instead, I outline a method that a land-use planner could use in a preliminary wetland evaluation for the purpose of making insightful decisions concerning where future development should occur and where it should be avoided.Master of City and Regional Plannin