Technical Procedures for the Minnesota Wetland Status and Trends Monitoring Program: Wetland Quantity Assessment

The goal of the Wetland Status and Trends Monitoring Program (WSTMP) is to provide scientifically valid information regarding the quantity (extent and type) and quality of wetlands in Minnesota and to monitor changes in wetland extent and type over time. The program was originally proposed by an inter-agency task force as one of three key elements to a comprehensive wetland assessment, monitoring, and mapping strategy (CWAMMS - http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/wetlands/wetland_monitoring.pdf). This program is adapted from a national wetland status and trends program developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Dahl 2000; Parker et al. 2004). This document describes the standard operating procedures used for the wetland quantity assessment component of the WSTMP. Procedures for the wetland quality component are described elsewhere.