Course Lessons
- In this lesson, you'll start by gaining a clear understanding of what wetlands are and learning how to identify them by focusing on the "three H's": hydrology, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydric soils. Next, you’ll discover why wetlands are essential ecosystems, exploring their ecological importance and becoming familiar with some basic definitions related to them. Finally, you’ll get an introduction to how wetlands function and gain a foundational overview of Pennsylvania’s wetland regulations. You’ll also be introduced to the wetland determination form, providing you with a practical tool to apply your knowledge.
- In this lesson, you'll start by gaining a foundational understanding of hydrology, focusing specifically on the principles that apply to wetland environments. You'll learn the essential concepts that define wetland hydrology, equipping you with the knowledge needed to accurately identify wetland areas. By the end of the session, you’ll be able to confidently complete the hydrology section on a wetland determination form, putting your understanding into practical use.
- In this lesson, you’ll gain a clear understanding of wetlands, including key definitions and concepts related to hydrophytic plants and their indicators. You’ll explore the unique adaptation characteristics of hydrophytic plants, examining their morphological, physiological, and reproductive traits. Additionally, you'll learn how to identify reliable sources for classifying hydrophytic plants and the challenges that may arise during classification. By the end, you’ll be equipped to complete the hydrophytic vegetation section of the Wetland Determination Form, using vegetation effectively to help identify the presence or absence of wetlands.
- At the conclusion of this lesson, you will be able to explain the concept and definition of hydric soils. Identify key characteristics of hydric soil indicators that are appliable in Pennsylvania, and explain the connection between soil descriptions and indicator choice and meaning.
At the conclusion of this lesson, you will be able to identify and describe some common hydric soil indicators seen in Pennsylvania using industry best practices.
- In this lesson, you will learn the importance of supporting information in the context of wetland determinations. You’ll begin by understanding what constitutes supporting information and the various types available, exploring how each can be effectively utilized in the determination process. Additionally, you will gain skills in analyzing this supporting information, enabling you to make informed decisions when assessing wetlands. By the end of the session, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the resources necessary for accurate wetland evaluations.
- This is the exercise present in the Hydrophytic Vegetation training. If you don't require the training but would like refresher in how to do the dominance test this is the exercise for you!