State 1
Reference State

These wetland plant communites occur in peatlands. These wetlands are usually occur as patch communites in river valleys, in depressions, around lakes and marshes, or on slopes. Near salt water these organic soils are characterized by an abundance of sodium cations from oceanic precipitation. Poor fens and bogs are the most common type and are often intermixed. Sphagnum characterizes poor fens and bogs (pH <5.5), and the two are lumped here, while "brown mosses" and sedges characterize rich fens (pH >5.5). Mire profiles in may be flat, raised (domed), or sloping, but most occurrences in Washington are flat with only localized hummock development.

Community 1.1
Sphagnum moss mounds, ericaceous shrubs

The surface topography in this community consists of well developed hummocks and hollows that create a diverse array of drier hummock tops to wetter hollows. Kalmia microphylla, Ledum groenlandicum, and Vaccinium oxycoccos are often codominant.

Community 1.2
Sphagnum mosses, ericaceous shrubs, and conifers

Figure 6. Reference Plant Community

These plant communities occur adjacent to open fens, peatlands and shrub-swamps. The tree layer is dominated by Pinus contorta. Tsuga heterophylla and/orThuja plicata may be abundant in drier sites but is suppressed or killed in waterlogged soils. Pinus contorta is also killed by extended flooding. The dense shrub layer is comprised of Gaultheria shallon and Ledum glandulosum, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Kalmia microphylla, and Empetrum nigrum. Most trees and shrubs occur on elevated microsites such as decaying logs, stumps, and old root wads. The herb layer is dominated by Carex obnupta, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aqulinum and Sanguisorba officinalis. Sphagnum mosses are conspicuous. Stands are usually stunted in stature but are subject to windthrow in severe winter storms but appear to be self-perpetuating in the absence of major disturbance.

Community 1.3
Sedges & Grasses

Wetlands or the portion of wetlands dominated by emergent (mostly graminoid) species where standing water is seasonally or more typically semi-permanently present. Confined to limited areas in suitable floodplain or basin topography. Often found along the borders of ponds, lakes or reservoirs that have more open basins and a permanent water source throughout all or most of the year. Mostly semi-permanently flooded, but some marshes have seasonal hydrologic flooding. Water is at or above the surface for most of the growing season. Dominated by emergent herbaceous species, mostly grass-likes (Carex and grasses) but also some forbs. Grasses will be more abundant on the drier portions of the wetland.

Community 1.4
Deciduous shrubs & sedges

Figure 9. Fen with spirea, carex and skunk cabbage

Figure 10. Fen with dense spirea

Figure 11. Deciduous shrub fen with carex and skunk cabbage

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Lack of fire or other disturbances allows cover of shrubs and trees to increase.

Pathway 1.1b
Community 1.1 to 1.3

Change in water regime to one with more inflow and outflow from the site, or increased water depth. Causes may include beaver dam impoundment, dredging, mining activity, or changes in local surface hydrology.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Fire, woody harvest, or other disturbance that removes conifers.

Pathway 1.2B
Community 1.2 to 1.4

Sphagnum mosses, ericaceous shrubs, and conifers

Deciduous shrubs & sedges

Change in water regime to one with more inflow and outflow from the site, or increased water depth. Causes may include beaver dam impoundment, dredging, mining activity, or changes in local surface hydrology.

Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.1

Restoration of lower water levels and reduction in water moving into and out of the site. Also, reduction of disturbance, either by fire or mechanical means. Reduction of fertility through reduction in water flows or added fertilizer.

Pathway 1.3B
Community 1.3 to 1.4

Sedges & Grasses

Deciduous shrubs & sedges

Limited restoration of lower water levels and reduction in water moving into and out of the site. Also, limited reduction of disturbance, which allows the shrub layer to reestablish. Limited reduction of fertility through reduction in water flows or added fertilizer.

Pathway 1.4B
Community 1.4 to 1.2

Deciduous shrubs & sedges

Sphagnum mosses, ericaceous shrubs, and conifers

Restoration of lower water levels and reduction in water moving into and out of the site. Also, reduction of disturbance, either by fire or mechanical means. Reduction of fertility through reduction in water flows or added fertilizer.

Pathway 1.4A
Community 1.4 to 1.3

Deciduous shrubs & sedges

Sedges & Grasses

This shift may be caused by increases in disturbance, water levels, or site fertility. Change in water regime may include one with more inflow and outflow from the site, or increased water depth. Causes may include beaver dam impoundment, dredging, mining activity, or changes in local surface hydrology. Disturbance to vegetation may occur through fire or mechanical disturbance. Fertility may be increases through the chemical composition of the increased waterflow, or decomposition of vegetation.

State 2
Hydrologically Altered State

The major agents of wetland disturbances have been beavers, floods, landslides, tsunamis, windthrow, fire, and people. People affect the water regime with impoundments, drainage systems and cropping, road building, dredging, mining and other changes. These wetland disturbance agents shape the development of different types of vegetation by mediating the supply, movement, and chemistry of water and sediments.

Community 2.1
Large emergent sedge, grass, forb, or horse-tail species

Wetlands or the portion of wetlands dominated by emergent (mostly graminoid) species where standing water is seasonally or more typically semi-permanently present. Depending on the water regime, these plant communities are dominated by emergent herbaceous species, mostly graminoids (Carex, Scirpus and/or Schoenoplectus, Eleocharis, Juncus, Typha latifolia) but also some forbs. The most serious invasive species of emergent marsh and wet prairie are Phalaris arundinacea (reed canarygrass), Agrostis stolonifera (redtop or creeping bentgrass), Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass), and Alopecurus pratensis (meadow foxtail).

Community 2.2
Conifers, willows, alders, forbs, grasses

Shrub swamps and wetlands are dominated by shrubs.They occur on floodplains and basins, and most tolerate a variable water regime. Plant community structure ranges from scattered shrubs with intervening herbaceous component, to dense and impenetrable stands of Salix, Cornus sericea, and Spiraea douglasii. Depending on water regime and disturbances this plant community is seral to alder and conifer forests.

State 3
Drained Converted State

These cropped systems are managed primarily with drainage systems and agronomically practices, including increased inputs of nutrients.

Community 3.1
G002XN102WA or G002XN202WA Forage Suitability Group

The forage suitability group is determined by the effectiveness of drainage and removal of water inflows.

Transition 1A
State 1 to 2

Change in water regime to one with more inflow and outflow from the site, or increased water depth. Causes may include beaver dam impoundment, dredging, mining activity, or changes in local surface hydrology.

Transition 1B
State 1 to 3

Drainage of site to lower the water table to the level necessary to grow the selected crop. Practices may include ditching, tile drainage, diversion of water inflows and/or removal of woody material.

Restoration pathway 2A
State 2 to 1

Restoration of water regime through management of depth control structures and/or management of water inflows and outflows.

Transition 2A
State 2 to 3

Drainage of site to lower the water table to the level necessary to grow the selected crop. Practices may include ditching, tile drainage, diversion of water inflows and/or removal of woody material.

Restoration pathway 3A
State 3 to 1

Restoration of water regime through depth control structures and/or management of water inflows and outflows.

Restoration pathway 3B
State 3 to 2

Restoration of water regime through depth control structures and/or management of water inflows and outflows.