Regional Guidebook for Applying the Hydrogeomorphic Approach to Assessing Wetland Functions of Intermontane Prairie Pothole Wetlands in the Northern Rocky Mountains

摘要

The Hydrogeomorphic (HUM) Approach to Wetland Functional Assessment is a collection of concepts and methods that are used to develop and apply functional indices to the assessment of wetlands. The HUM Approach includes four integral components: (a) HUM Classification, (b) Reference Wetlands, (c) Assessment Models and Functional Indices, and (d) Application Protocols. The four components of the HUM Approach are integrated into a Regional, Subclass- specific Guidebook such as this document In the Development Phase of the HUM approach, research scientists and regulatory managers work cooperatively to select a list of functions and indicators of function that will represent the functional range of variation among wetlands of the subclass and region. An Assessment Team (A-Team) gathers data from an array wetlands that represent that range of variation and establish a data set of Reference Wetlands. The functional models and data are combined along with field protocols and methods for analysis to formulate the Regional Guidebook. The end users then employ the Regional Guidebook during the Application Phase to conduct HUM functional assessments on project wetlands.