notebook - Southwest Florida Water Management District

MOSAIC ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSECT MONITORING FORM AND INSTRUCTIONS
15 – Determine if the moisture content of the soil is appropriate for the location within the wetland and
current climatic conditions.
16 – For the purpose of this assessment, soil subsidence is defined as the decrease in soil volume and
soil structure as the result of the oxidation of the organic material in the soil. Subsidence is to be
measured from a set elevation and degree of subsidence is defined as:
Minimal – 0-3”
Moderate – 3-6”
Severe – >6”
17 – Seepage slopes are areas which do not show signs of consistent standing water but contain soils
that are consistently saturated with moisture flowing from the surrounding uplands (upslope).
18 – Hydrologic indicators form in areas with consistent standing water (pooled conditions). Indicators
develop at varying elevations due to specific inundation patterns and duration. Hydrologic indicators
should be evaluated to determine if their current presence/absence and vertical positioning are
appropriate for the historic conditions of the system.
19 – At the deepest portion of the wetland, determine the depth (vertical distance) between the commonly
accepted indicators of seasonal high water and ground surface of the wetland.
20 – At the deepest portion of the wetland, determine the depth (vertical distance) between the commonly
accepted indicators of normal pool and ground surface of the wetland.
21 – For isolated systems, determine if the wetland is fully isolated or semi-isolated (e.g., normally
functions as an isolated system, only connected during high water events).
22 – For connected systems, describe the connection type (e.g., headwater wetland, stream).
23 – For artificially connected systems, describe how the system is connected (e.g., ditch, culvert).
24 – Make note of wetland dependent fauna and activities (e.g., scat, tracks, signs of amphibian
breeding).
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