I. INTRODUCTION
Background
Methods
The Study Region
Scarcity and Losses
Wetlands Definition
Clean Water Act Section 404 Jurisdiction
Hydrogeomorphic Units
Ecosystem Functions and Socio-Economic
Values
How to Use this Volume
II. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Introduction
Geologic History
Geography
Coast Ranges
Southern Provinces
Climate
Vegetation
Land Use History
Native American Use
European and Modern Influence
III. CLASSIFICATION
Introduction
Classification of California Wetlands
Early Efforts
Improvements and Additions
Agency Efforts
A Modified Cowardin et al. Approach
How to Use this Classification
Rationale for the Classification Methodology
The Classification Tables
Systems, Subsystems, Classes, and
Subclasses of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats
Water Regimes: Wetlands and Deep Water
Habitats
Water/Soil Chemistry: Wetlands and Deep
Water Habitats
Hydrogeomorphic Units: (High-Order Levels)
Hydrogeomorphic Units: Marine and
Estuarine Systems
Hydrogeomorphic Units: Riverine,
Lacustrine, and Palustrine System
Substrate/Dominance/Characteristic Types: Marine and Estuarine Systems
Substrate/Dominance/Characteristic Types:
Riverine, Lacustrine, and Palustrine Systems
IV. KEYS
Key to the Wetland Systems
Key to the Marine Subsystems and Classes
Key to the Estuarine Subsystems and
Classes
Key to the Riverine Subsystems and
Classes
Key to the Lacustrine Subsystems and
Classes
Key to the Palustrine Classes
V. MARINE SYSTEM
Introduction
Marine Wetlands
Marine Wetland Classes and Subclasses
Marine Hydrogeomorphic Units
Ecosystem Functions and Socio-Economic
Values
Ecosystem Functions
Socio-Economic Values
Losses and Impacts to Marine Wetlands
Losses
Impacts
Restoration and Creation of Marine
Wetlands
Rare or Threatened Wetlands
Classification of Marine Wetlands
Key to the Marine Wetland Classes and
Subclasses
Table of the Marine Hydrogeomorphic Units
Arranged Within Corresponding Water Regimes
Catalogue of Marine Wetlands
VI. ESTUARINE SYSTEM
Introduction
Estuarine Wetlands
Types of Estuaries
River Mouth Estuaries
Canyon Mouth Estuaries
Lagoonal Estuaries
Coastal Dune-Creek Estuaries
Bay Estuaries
Structural Basin Estuaries
Artificial Drain Estuaries
Estuarine Wetland Classes and
Subclasses
Estuarine Hydrogeomorphic Units
Ecosystem Functions and Socio-Economic
Values
Ecosystem Functions
Socio-Economic Values
Losses and Impacts to Estuarine Wetlands
Losses
Impacts
Restoration and Creation of Estuarine
Wetlands
Rare or Threatened Wetlands
Classification of Estuarine Wetlands
Key to the Estuarine Wetland
Classes
Table of Estuarine Hydrogeomorphic Units
Arranged Within Corresponding Water Regimes
Catalogue of Estuarine Wetlands
VII. RIVERINE SYSTEM
Introduction
Riverine Wetlands
Types of Rivers, Streams, and Washes
Riverine Wetland Subsystems, Classes, and
Subclasses
Riverine Hydrogeomorphic Units
Ecosystem Functions and Socio-Economic
Values
Ecosystem Functions
Socio-Economic Values
Losses and Impacts to Riverine
Wetlands
Modification of Natural Flow and Retention
Patterns
External Threats: Riverine Systems as
Open Ecosystems
Riverine Systems as Disturbance-Driven
Ecosystems
Loss of Resistence and Resilience in
Riverine Ecosystems
Restoration and Creation of Riverine
Wetlands
Rare or Threatened Wetlands
Key to the Riverine Wetland Subsystems
and Classes
Table of the Riverine Hydrogeomorphic Units
Arranged Within Corresponding Water Regimes
Catalogue of Riverine Wetlands
VIII. LACUSTRINE SYSTEM
Introduction
Lacustrine Wetlands
Types of Lakes
Natural Lakes
Artificial Reservoirs
Lacustrine Wetland Classes and
Subclasses
Lacustrine Wetland Hydrogeomorphic
Units
Ecosystem Functions and Socio-Economic
Values
Ecosystem Functions
Socio-Economic Values
Losses and Impacts to Lacustrine
Wetlands
Restoration and Creation of Lacustrine
Wetland
Rare or Threatened Lacustrine
Wetlands
Key to the Lacustrine Wetland Subsystems,
Classes and Subclasses
Table of the Lacustrine Hydrogeomorphic Units
Arranged Within Corresponding Water Regimes
Catalogue of Lacustrine Wetlands
IX. PALUSTRINE SYSTEM
Introduction
Palustrine Wetlands
Palustrine Wetland Classes and
Subclasses
Palustrine Wetland Hydrogeomorphic
Units
Ecosystem Functions and Socio-Economic
Values
Ecosystem Functions
Socio-Economic Values
Losses and Impacts to Palustrine
Wetlands
Losses
Impacts
Restoration and Creation of Palustrine
Wetlands
Rare or Threatened Palustrine Wetlands
Vernal Pools
Vernal Ponds
Palustrine Vernal Lakes
Vernal Alkali Plains
Dune Swale Wetlands
Coastal Canyon Bottom
Forested Riparian Corridors
Classification of the Palustrine Wetlands
Key to Palustrine Wetland
Classes
Table of the Palustrine Hydrogeomorphic Units in the
Arranged Within Corresponding Water Regimes
Catalogue of Palustrine Wetlands
X. HYDROGEOMORPHIC CLASSIFICATION AND FUNCTIONAL
ASSESSMENT OF THE WETLANDS OF THE VENTURA RIVER WATERSHED
(Forthcoming)
Introduction
Background
The Ventura River Watershed
Physical Characteristics
Estuarine Characteristics
Marine Characteristics
History of Land and Water Development
Methods
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Assessment of Functions and Values
Description of Wetland Types and Distribution
Marine System
Estuarine System
Lacustrine System
Riverine System
Palustrine System
Watershed Distribution
Assessment of Functions and Values
XI. THE FUTURE
XII. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
XIII. GLOSSARY
XIV. LITERATURE
APPENDIX XV-1: Species of Special Concern
APPENDIX XV-2: Catalogue of the Hydrogeomorphic Classification and
Functional Assessment of the Ventura River