By Scout Nelson
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Easement team conducted a field day to assess a wetland easement in McPherson County, Kansas.
The goal was to develop a more effective method for evaluating closed and restored wetlands easements.
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) protects and restores wetlands through conservation easements.
The team monitors easements for compliance and to ensure they are not being developed. However, they lacked a systematic approach to evaluating vegetative establishment.
The McPherson Valley Wetland easement, established in 2000, is owned by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
The easement team aimed to implement a more robust ecological monitoring protocol to document current vegetation and assess restoration effectiveness.
The team found the wetland to have appropriate vegetative diversity, including grasses like Big bluestem, Indiangrass, Switchgrass, Sideoats grama, and Little bluestem. In the most diverse plot, they identified 15 different species of grasses and forbs.
Tyler Rafter, the Kansas State Coordinator for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, praised the site's biodiversity and its suitability for upland birds. He noted the presence of flowering plants, bunch grasses, and potential habitat for Northern bobwhite quail.
The team used a Robel Pole to measure vegetation height and species richness. This method involves using a pole with alternating white and gray bands to visually assess vegetation structure.
In addition to desirable vegetation, the team documented some undesirable woody encroachment, such as Eastern red cedars. These encroachments can be managed through techniques like prescribed burns.
The team hopes to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of restoration practices used in the McPherson Valley Wetlands and apply them to other easements.
By tracking information and monitoring vegetation, they can refine their restoration methods and ensure the long-term success of wetland easements in Kansas.
Photo Credit: usda-nrcs
Categories: Kansas, Government & Policy