A new wetland assessment tool for Illinois and climate-based wetland prioritization for the Midwest
It is widely accepted that wetlands have experienced major declines in area globally, though the degree of loss and change in quality is much less certain. Comprehensive wetland monitoring and assessment programs are needed to fully understand these changes. I address weaknesses in Midwestern monitoring and assessment through the development of two tools. First, I developed and validated a statewide Rapid Assessment for Illinois (RAIL). I validated the assessment in 63 wetlands throughout the state and found generally positive results from the analysis, showing that this tool has promise. Second, I developed a map to identify priority areas for wetland conservation based on community resilience and projected climate change throughout the Midwest. This map addresses the need for integrating climate change planning with wetland management and conservation. Both tools are in their infancy and require additional validation before being used to inform regulation and management decisions.
