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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbus, Ohio » Soil Drainage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #140756
Title: VEGETATION DEVELOPMENT OF THREE CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS RECEIVING AGRICULTURAL RUN-OFF AND SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE

Author
item Luckeydoo, Lee

Submitted to: Wetlands National Symposium
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/6/2002
Publication Date: 11/6/2002
Citation: LUCKEYDOO, L.M. VEGETATION DEVELOPMENT OF THREE CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS RECEIVING AGRICULTURAL RUN-OFF AND SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE. WETLANDS NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM. 2002.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Case studies of terrestrial and aquatic vegetation development in three constructed wetlands receiving agricultural drainage were conducted. Surveys were completed on three Wetland Reservoir Subirrigation System (WRSIS) constructed wetlands located in Defiance, Fulton, and Van Wert counties in northwest Ohio. The WRSIS project links agricultural fields, wetland, and a storage reservoir to help minimize agrochemical runoff and sediment delivery to streams. Surveys involved using annually permanent quadrats, and observations made using Braun-Blanquet scales. Survey information indicates that species richness declined during the study period at individual locations. Shannon diversity values in 2001 were similar, within one-half index point, for all locations compared to baseline information. Total species richness for all locations over 1998-2002 included 77 unique species. This list of total richness is considered a list of potential species available to constructed wetlands or ponds in the area. The primary growth types were grass, grass-like and forbs. There were approximately equal numbers of perennial and annual life histories represented in total richness. Less than half of the total richness list were wetland indicator species. Interestingly, 85 % of the total richness wetland indicator species were native species. Importance factor summaries suggest that well established species were provided by immediately available seed sources. Species such as Echinochloa crus-galli and Case studies of terrestrial and aquatic vegetation development in three constructed wetlands receiving agricultural drainage were conducted. Surveys were completed on three Wetland Reservoir Subirrigation System (WRSIS) constructed wetlands located in Defiance, Fulton, and Van Wert counties in northwest Ohio. The WRSIS project links agricultural fields, wetland, and a storage reservoir to help minimize agrochemical runoff and sediment delivery to streams. Surveys involved using annually permanent quadrats, and observations made using Braun-Blanquet scales.