Fernhill NTS Wetlands Vegetation and Biodiversity Analyses
Forest Grove, Oregon
|
|
Cascade is assisting Clean Water Services (CWS) in setting up a long-term monitoring framework at the Fernhill Wetlands to determine if the site’s ecological goals are being met.
Cascade is conducting the post-construction vegetation, hydrology monitoring, and general biodiversity analyses for CWS. The monitoring includes a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Qualitative methods include photo documentation, assessment of plant growth and mortality in areas not formally assessed in plots, and assessment of herbivory and areas that need additional management. Quantitative vegetation monitoring employs the use of sampling transects and monitoring plots to assess shrub and tree stem density; aerial cover of shrub, tree, or emergent species; and invasive species cover or presence. Quantitative data analysis includes assessment of plant diversity and prevalence index of the vegetation communities. Cascade concludes the monitoring work with a formal monitoring report that documents the condition of the Fernhill Wetlands and that complies with agency standards. The report includes trends and results observed onsite that will are considered in context of overall project goals, as well as typical site development trajectories for restoration projects (i.e., transition from installation, to disturbance response phases, trending towards mature vegetation community). |