Wetland Delineation, Classification, and Assessment

  • 39 hour course, no prerequisites

Through lec­ture, class­room and field exer­cis­es, stu­dents can expect to learn meth­ods to iden­ti­fy wet­lands and delin­eate their bound­aries based on indi­ca­tors of veg­e­ta­tion, soils, and hydrol­o­gy, in addi­tion to con­duct­ing desk­top delin­eations through aer­i­al pho­to inter­pre­ta­tion. Oth­er top­ics to be cov­ered include wet­land clas­si­fi­ca­tion, impact and assess reports, and rel­a­tive-val­ue assess­ments. Pri­or knowl­edge of soils and veg­e­ta­tion is help­ful, but not required.

Course at a glance
What you will learn

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  • Understand factors influencing the occurrence of wetlands in the landscape, including hydrology, soils, vegetation, drainage, and function.
  • Recognize field indicators confirming the presence or absence of wetlands.
  • Understand and demonstrate the protocols for delineating wetland boundaries, both via desktop and field delineation.
  • Apply the Alberta Wetland Classification System and other common classification systems.
  • Complete a wetland impact and assessment report.
  • Identify methods for wetland replacement and compensatory mitigation.
  • Be familiar with wetland functions and values and with the use of the Alberta Wetland Rapid Evaluation Tool (ABWRET).
Take note:

  • A recommended reading list will be provided via eClass and will be available one week prior to course start; advanced registration is advised.
  • Mandatory field work (two full-day field trips): long pants and good grip boots with good ankle support are essential. Rubber boots are useful but not necessary. Wear wheather-appropriate clothing, sun block, work gloves, and high-visibility clothing (safety vest, reflective stripes, or blaze orange/yellow outer layer)
  • Students are responsible for their transportation to the field trip sites; carpooling options may be available.
  • A basic plant field guide and a Munsell soil color book will be provided to each field team. Additional copies, however, would be useful, and students are encouraged to bring plant identification books/field guides.
  • Hand lenses are required to assist in class exercises.
  • Assessment includes post-course work to be completed via eClass.
This course has no prerequisites

Students from all educational backgrounds welcome. You can register for this course without applying and enrolling in a program.

Currently counts towards

* If you are already enroled in this program, please refer to your specific program requirements as outlined at the time of your admission: Bear Tracks > Academic Advisement.

You can register for and take a course without applying and enrolling into the program.

We recommend that you apply to the program as soon as possible to lock in your course requirements as they are subject to change.

Email

erm@ualberta.ca

Looking for different course dates?

New course schedules are released each June and October.

Course Not Offered This Term

This course is not currently scheduled, but may be offered in an upcoming term. New course schedules are announced each June and October.

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