Obligations of Researchers and Managers to Respect Wetlands: Practical Solutions to Minimizing Field Monitoring Impacts

Authors

Jessica A. Bryzek, West Virginia University
Krista L. Noe, West Virginia University
Sindupa De Silva, West Virginia University
Andrew MacKenzie, West Virginia University
Cindy L. Von Haugg, Clemson University
Donna Hartman, West Virginia University
Jordan D. McCall, Clemson University
Walter Veselka IV, West Virginia University
James T. Anderson, Clemson University

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2824-7262

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6144-2222

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2078-1575

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4536-4911

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4447-3526

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3480-1925

N/A

N/A

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9907-3466

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-26-2022

College/Unit

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department/Program/Center

Division of Forestry and Natural Resources

Abstract

Research and field monitoring can disturb wetland integrity. Adoption of ethical field practices is needed to limit monitoring induced stressors such as trampling, non-native seed and invertebrate dispersal, and disease and fungal spread. We identify a linear pathway of deterioration highlighting stressors that can progress to cumulative impacts, consequences, and losses at the site scale. The first step to minimize disturbance is to assess and classify the current ecosystem quality. We present a tiered framework for wetland classification and link preventative measures to the wetland tier. Preventative measures are recommended at various intensities respective to the wetland tier, with higher tiered wetlands requiring more intense preventative measures. In addition, preventative measures vary by time of implementation (before, during, and after the wetland visit) to mitigate impacts at various temporal scales. The framework is designed to increase transparency of field monitoring impacts and to promote the adoption of preventative measures. Implementing preventative measures can build accountability and foster a greater appreciation for our roles as researchers and managers in protecting wetlands.

Digital Commons Citation

Bryzek, Jessica A.; Noe, Krista L.; De Silva, Sindupa; MacKenzie, Andrew; Von Haugg, Cindy L.; Hartman, Donna; McCall, Jordan D.; Veselka, Walter IV; and Anderson, James T., "Obligations of Researchers and Managers to Respect Wetlands: Practical Solutions to Minimizing Field Monitoring Impacts" (2022). Faculty & Staff Scholarship. 3096.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/faculty_publications/3096

Source Citation

Bryzek, J.A.; Noe, K.L.; De Silva, S.; MacKenzie, A.; Von Haugg, C.L.; Hartman, D.; McCall, J.E.; Veselka, W., IV; Anderson, J.T. Obligations of Researchers and Managers to Respect Wetlands: Practical Solutions to Minimizing Field Monitoring Impacts. Land 2022, 11, 481. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11040481

Comments

© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

This article received support from the WVU Libraries' Open Access Author Fund.