Baldwin County Wetland Conservation Plan - Alabama Department ...

Baldwin County Wetland Conservation Plan Final Summary Document
an indicator of function, which is used collectively with other indicators to address wetland
functional capacity. Examples of variables to be used in this project include plant structural
composition, wetland size, and water regime. The definitions for each wetland function to be
used in the project are seen below. These definitions were adapted from existing literature, but
were regionalized to better describe processes associated with local wetlands.
Water/Floodwater Storage - the capacity of a wetland to retain surface water for long or short
durations. The source of water may be overbank flow, overland flow or precipitation.
Sediment/Toxicant/Nutrient Removal - the capacity of a wetland to capture, retain, remove
and/or transform sediment, toxicants or nutrients which enter a wetland system. These
processes are facilitated by physical, chemical and biological processes associated with the
wetland system.
Wildlife/Fisheries Habitat - the capacity of a wetland to provide the requisite needs, including
foraging areas, water, cover, nesting areas and resting areas, to support expected species.
Groundwater Maintenance - the capacity of a wetland to recharge aquifer water supplies,
provide for aquifer discharge, and filter surface water which ultimately drains to the aquifer.
97