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Wetlands and Lakes - Direct Threats and Conservation Actions (SWAP)

Threats and actions are not listed in order of priority.

Residential and Commercial Development

1.1 Housing and Urban Areas

Threats

  1. conversion of wetlands to urban development
  2. loss of federal jurisdiction of wetlands (i.e. Section 404)
  3. vegetation planted for ornamental purposes can invade adjacent wetlands
  4. mowing of adjacent wetland vegetation for ornamental grooming
  5. pesticide/herbicide application and drift impacts adjacent plant/wildlife species composition
  6. loss of grazing and burning of grasslands near urban and recreational areas
  7. predation of wetland wildlife by domestic animals near urban areas
  8. modification of wetland basins within urban areas to create lakes

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands
  2. develop or support programs, initiatives and statutory language that strengthen the efficacy of conservation measures
  3. avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands; mitigate unavoidable impacts
  4. work with partners to develop ecologically responsible urban planning and zoning
  5. work with partners to develop ecologically responsible urban and county policies
  6. public education and outreach for native landscaping and management
  7. increase awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the wetland ecosystem
  8. promote responsible and conscientious use of pesticides

1.2 Commercial and Industrial Areas

Threats

  1. conversion of wetlands to commercial and industrial development
  2. loss of federal jurisdiction of wetlands (i.e. Section 404)
  3. disturbance associated with development can proliferate noxious/invasive weeds

Conservation Action

  1. develop or support programs, initiatives and statutory language that strengthen the efficacy of conservation measures
  2. avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands; mitigate unavoidable impacts
  3. work with partners to develop ecologically responsible urban planning and zoning
  4. work with partners to develop ecologically responsible ordinances and suitable reclamation standards
  5. education and outreach for native landscaping and management

1.3 Tourism and Recreational Areas

Threats

  1. expanding lake cabin developments
  2. disturbance associated with recreation development can disperse noxious/invasive weeds
  3. pesticide application and drift impacts adjacent plant/wildlife species composition
  4. unrestrained domestic animals can harass wildlife
  5. improper management of wetlands within recreational areas

Conservation Action

  1. urge ecologically responsible ordinances
  2. public education and outreach for native landscaping and management
  3. encourage appropriate management of wetlands
  4. promote responsible and conscientious use of pesticides

Agriculture

2.1 Annual and Perennial Non-Timber Crops

Threats

  1. conversion of wetlands to cropland development
  2. tile and surface drainage of wetlands
  3. inappropriate drainage of wetlands onto neighboring properties
  4. displacement of wetland wildlife during conversion process
  5. pesticide application and drift impacts on adjacent plant/wildlife species composition
  6. increase in soil erosion and sedimentation into wetlands from lack of residual cover on cropland
  7. impacts to water table and water infiltration rates
  8. salinization of land that has been converted to cropland
  9. increase of pesticides and herbicides with new crop development
  10. increase of noxious weeds and invasive plants when wetlands are disturbed
  11. regulations or incentives that support the conversion of wetlands to cropland development

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands
  2. use a targeted approach to protect, enhance, and restore the most vulnerable wetlands and/or those of high ecological value and connectivity
  3. development of offsets for marginal cropland/wetlands
  4. develop or support programs, initiatives and statutory language that strengthen the efficacy of conservation measures
  5. maintain and enforce Farm Bill regulatory provisions (i.e. swampbuster)
  6. include isolated wetlands in Section 404 and offer incentives and programs to maintain, restore or enhance, including grassland buffers
  7. offer incentives for wildlife friendly farming, tax-based or direct payments (e.g. cropped wetlands program)
  8. flowage easements for downstream drainage
  9. offer midterm conservation agreement for wetland management and protection
  10. support demo projects and best management practices, public outreach and education for wetlands
  11. explore new techniques to address impacts to water table
  12. promotion of cover crops and soil health
  13. promote responsible and conscientious use of pesticides
  14. promote equal risk management for grassland-based agriculture, to keep grassland and wetland complexes intact
  15. reduce bottlenecks to public participation in compliance (regional rules)

2.3 Livestock Farming and Ranching

Threats

  1. heavy grazing in and around wetlands resulting in total loss of aquatic plants
  2. disturbance, erosion, and decline in soil health in high livestock traffic areas
  3. shift from ranching (pro-grass) lifestyle to confined animal feeding operations
  4. inappropriate fencing (i.e. not wildlife-friendly)
  5. regulations or incentives that support the conversion of wetlands
  6. public perception that livestock are bad for the climate and lack of knowledge on the importance of grasslands and wetlands for carbon sequestration and storage
  7. increase of noxious weeds and invasive plants from poor grazing management practices
  8. changing farm demographics resulting in shift from livestock ranching to crop production, loss of connection to the land, and loss of rural community lifestyle

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands
  2. encourage grazing as a grassland management tool for high resistance and resilience
  3. develop or support programs, initiatives and statutory language that strengthen the efficacy of conservation measures
  4. incentivize good grazing management
  5. promote and support regenerative grazing management, use best management practices or ecological site descriptions
  6. support grazing lands coalitions and work with grass-based agriculture groups
  7. promote equal risk management for grassland-based agriculture
  8. use best management practices or ecological site descriptions
  9. assessment of economic and ecological values of grasslands and associated wildlife, ecosystem services
  10. promote carbon credits, biodiversity credits
  11. encourage temporary or virtual fencing when possible, discourage fencing through wetlands
  12. promote off-site watering systems for cattle
  13. promote responsible livestock practices that minimize disease spread (i.e. double fences, appropriate removal of carcasses, etc.)
  14. educate the public on the benefits of working grasslands and wetlands

Energy Production and Mining

3.1 Oil and Gas Drilling

Threats

  1. conversion of wetlands to well pads, field or production facilities
  2. fragmentation of wetlands from well pads, field or production facilities, access roads
  3. dewatering wetlands and lakes for frack water
  4. disturbance associated with oil and gas development can proliferate noxious/invasive weeds
  5. loss of federal jurisdiction of wetlands (i.e. Section 404)
  6. inadequate or improper reclamation
  7. illegal dumping of materials and waste
  8. illegal filling of wetlands
  9. anthropogenic disturbance to wetland associated wildlife, e.g. dust, light and noise pollution
  10. social apathy to negative ecological impacts of oil and gas drilling
  11. governance apathy to negative ecological impacts of oil and gas drilling

Conservation Action

  1. well pad and facility consolidation, minimize footprint of development
  2. engage in early consultation with the siting of well pads
  3. avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands; mitigate unavoidable impacts
  4. follow/implement best management practices
  5. incentivize companies for implementing ecologically sound development
  6. urge ecologically responsible ordinances and suitable reclamation standards and foster relationships with oil companies to stimulate ecologically sound development
  7. urge requirements to promptly reclaim dry or abandoned wells
  8. enforce regulatory compliance and close loopholes which are used to delay or avoid reclamation
  9. public education and outreach
  10. public disclosure of impacts/footprint
  11. research the impacts of oil and gas drilling on wetlands and wildlife
  12. explore novel alternatives to offset impacts of oil and gas development

3.2 Mining and Quarrying

Threats

  1. conversion of wetlands to mines or quarries
  2. anthropogenic disturbance to wetland associated wildlife
  3. unregulated gravel pit management
  4. inadequate or improper reclamation
  5. creates wetlands that act as ecological sinks
  6. increase of noxious weeds and invasive plants when land is mined

Conservation Action

  1. minimize footprint of development
  2. avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands; mitigate unavoidable impacts
  3. suitable reclamation standards
  4. promote or develop local and state ordinances
  5. delay or halt mining/quarrying for new metals or minerals until local ordinances have been approved

3.3 Renewable Energy

Threats

  1. conversion of wetlands to alternative fuel crops
  2. fragmentation of wetland complexes by wind or solar facilities
  3. loss of federal jurisdiction of wetlands (i.e. Section 404)
  4. direct or indirect mortality of wildlife species from structures
  5. altered wildlife migrations
  6. anthropogenic disturbance to grassland associated wildlife, e.g. dust, noise and light pollution displacement of wildlife

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands
  2. incentivize companies for implementing ecologically sound development alongside carbon incentives
  3. avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands; mitigate unavoidable impacts
  4. urge ecologically responsible ordinances and suitable reclamation standards
  5. urge accountability for ecological impacts
  6. minimize footprint of development
  7. research and model to determine best areas for placement to minimize impacts to wildlife
  8. use livestock to control weeds
  9. establish pollinator-friendly plantings under solar arrays

Transportation and Service Corridors

4.1 Roads and Railroads

Threats

  1. conversion of wetlands to roads and railroads
  2. fragmentation of wetland complexes by roads and railroads
  3. roads acting as dams
  4. anthropogenic disturbance to wetland associated wildlife, e.g. noise, dust
  5. proliferate noxious/invasive weeds
  6. road and railway incident secondary effects, e.g. spills and explosions, run-off
  7. improper herbicide uses in railroad rights-of-way
  8. road salt impacts to roadside plants and rights-of way

Conservation Action

  1. urge ecologically responsible ordinances and suitable reclamation standards
  2. avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands; mitigate unavoidable impacts
  3. appropriate road restrictions, including speed limits
  4. reasonable timing restrictions for construction
  5. use pipelines versus trucking liquids and gas
  6. use native local ecotype seed, including pollinator-friendly, when seeding road rights-of-way
  7. promote wetland restoration and creation to minimize flooding impacts to roads/infrastructure

4.2 Utility and Service Lines

Threats

  1. fragmentation of wetland complexes by utility and service lines
  2. disturbance associated with development of utility and service lines can proliferate noxious/invasive weeds
  3. inadequate reclamation
  4. intensification and accumulation of infrastructure
  5. direct mortality of wildlife species, particularly birds, by collision or electrocution

Conservation Action

  1. consolidate corridors
  2. encourage buried lines when feasible
  3. urge ecologically responsible ordinances and suitable reclamation standards
  4. engage in early consultation with the siting of utility and service lines
  5. avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands; mitigate unavoidable impacts
  6. reasonable timing restrictions for construction
  7. require line marking devices
  8. use avian protection plans or guidance documents to minimize bird/powerline interactions
  9. use native local ecotype seed, including pollinator-friendly, when reseeding easement rights-of-way

Biological Resource Use

5.1 Hunting and Collecting Terrestrial Animals

Threats

  1. anthropogenic disturbance to wetland associated wildlife, e.g. off-road travel, dog training during nesting season and brood rearing period
  2. disturbance/movement can proliferate noxious/invasive weeds
  3. insufficient regulations for collection or harvest of certain wildlife, e.g. reptiles and amphibians
  4. poaching
  5. lead ammunition impacts to non-target wildlife

Conservation Action

  1. urge ecologically responsible ordinances
  2. increase enforcement and deterrents
  3. public education and outreach
  4. reevaluate or develop regulations pertaining to collection or harvest of certain wildlife, e.g. reptiles and amphibians
  5. amend dog training laws and regulations to minimize impacts to wildlife during sensitive life cycle periods
  6. encourage non-toxic ammunition use

5.4 Fishing and Harvesting Aquatic Resources

Threats

  1. anthropogenic disturbance to wetland associated wildlife, e.g. off-road travel
  2. disturbance/movement can proliferate noxious/invasive weeds
  3. wildlife value orientations or changing public attitudes towards wildlife, e.g. stimulate illegal fishing/collection of aquatic species, or promote the introduction of nonnative species for fishing
  4. insufficient regulations for collection or harvest of certain wildlife, e.g. amphibians
  5. spread of aquatic nuisance species
  6. unregulated commercial take of aquatic resources
  7. poaching

Conservation Action

  1. urge ecologically responsible ordinances
  2. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines
  3. reevaluate laws pertaining to wetland associated wildlife
  4. public education and outreach
  5. reevaluate or develop regulations pertaining to collection or harvest of certain wildlife, e.g. amphibians
  6. follow aquatic nuisance species regulations and recommendations

Human Intrusions and Disturbance

6.1 Recreational Activities

Threats

  1. damage to wetland habitat from off-road vehicles
  2. anthropogenic disturbance to wetland or lake associated wildlife, e.g. boating
  3. impacts to shoreline and submerged vegetation from wake boating
  4. littering
  5. spread of aquatic nuisance species

Conservation Action

  1. restrict or eliminate off-road vehicle use in environmentally sensitive areas
  2. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines
  3. public education and outreach
  4. develop regulations for wake boat use
  5. follow aquatic nuisance species regulations and recommendations

6.2 Military Exercises

Threats

  1. anthropogenic disturbance to wetland associated wildlife

Conservation Action

  1. support responsible processes

6.3 Work and Other Activities

Threats

  1. anthropogenic disturbance to wetland associated wildlife

Conservation Action

  1. urge ecologically responsible ordinances

Natural Systems Modifications

7.1 Fire and Fire Suppression

Threats

  1. fire suppression results in woody encroachment or cattail invasion
  2. public resistance to use of prescribed fire/controlled burns
  3. insufficient awareness regarding the advantages of prescribed fire/controlled burns
  4. improper timing or use of fire, e.g. burning wetlands in the fall for spring crop development
  5. insufficient awareness regarding the advantages of prescribed fire/controlled burns

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to implement prescribed fire/controlled burns
  2. public education and outreach
  3. support pro-prescribed fire strategies
  4. research the effects of fire management
  5. develop fire management plans
  6. proper timing of prescribed fire/controlled burns

7.2 Dams and Water Management/Use

Threats

  1. conversion of natural wetland or other existing habitat to impoundment
  2. wetland consolidation
  3. impoundments may proliferate concentration of salts, heavy metals, etc.
  4. inappropriate movement of water as water management
  5. change in water infiltration rates
  6. hydrological impacts from irrigation and ditching
  7. degradation of grasslands from livestock congregation at dams and impoundments

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands
  2. offer incentives and programs for alternative water sources, e.g. wells, portable water
  3. reclaim deteriorating dams and dugouts
  4. education about dynamic water systems and water management
  5. incentivize buffers/exclusion zones
  6. exclude impoundments in ecologically sensitive or inappropriate areas
  7. monitor and research water quality
  8. construct fish passages on existing dams

7.3 Other Ecosystem Modification

Threats

  1. loss of hygrophyte diversity
  2. diminishing soil health, e.g. compaction and loss of water infiltration
  3. changes in water systems
  4. tile and surface drainage
  5. amplification of run-off events
  6. modification of watersheds
  7. channelization

Conservation Action

  1. promote wetland plant diversity
  2. promote soil health
  3. ecosystem education and awareness
  4. research impacts of tile drainage on wetland ecosystems
  5. research and inventory aquatic invertebrates within diverse wetlands (stage and health)

7.4 Removing/Reducing Human Maintenance

Threats

  1. loss of indigenous peoples management regimes

Conservation Action

  1. include indigenous peoples culture and values

Invasive and Problematic Species, Pathogens and Genes

8.1 Invasive Non-Native/Alien Plants and Animals

Threats

  1. spread and proliferation of invasive or detrimental plants, e.g. hybrid cattail
  2. spread and proliferation of noxious weeds
  3. spread and proliferation of invasive woody vegetation
  4. aquatic nuisance species
  5. feral and free-roaming domestic animals
  6. fish stocking

Conservation Action

  1. removal or reduction of invasive or detrimental plants using grazing, fire, chemical and mechanical treatments
  2. removal or reduction of noxious weeds using grazing, fire, chemical, mechanical and biological treatments
  3. develop recommended plant lists and sources of local ecotype seed
  4. engage the horticultural industry to educate and promote recommended plants and reduce the use of problematic invasive or detrimental plants
  5. public education and outreach
  6. support programs and initiatives to reduce or remove feral animals from native habitat
  7. encourage pet owners to keep animals indoors, in an outdoor enclosure, or on a leash, to protect both the welfare of the animal and wildlife
  8. research control or reduction of invasive plants
  9. evaluate impacts of fish stocking, decrease rates or do not stock fish in ecologically sensitive wetlands
  10. follow aquatic nuisance species regulations and recommendations

8.2 Problematic Native Species

Threats

  1. Spread and proliferation of reed canarygrass

Conservation Action

  1. removal or reduction of undesirable native plants using grazing, fire, chemical and mechanical treatments

8.3 Introduced Genetic Material

Threats

  1. genetically modified plants enable the use of a broad range of pesticides and herbicides
  2. increase of herbicide resistant plants
  3. neonicotinoid effects on non-target organisms

Conservation Action

  1. promote pragmatic use of herbicides and pesticides

Pollution

9.1 Domestic and Urban Waste Water

Threats

  1. pipeline leaks
  2. inappropriate disposal of untreated sewage
  3. septic system drainage into wetlands and lakes
  4. non-point runoff from housing and urban areas, e.g. fertilizer and pesticides from lawns and golf courses

Conservation Action

  1. require pipeline warning system for leak detection
  2. improve reporting and disclosure of incidents
  3. increase enforcement and deterrents
  4. encourage building setback, no structures within 100 feet (minimum) of wetland or lake
  5. require septic setback, or lagoon septic systems
  6. incentivize wetland buffers
  7. discourage fertilizer use

9.2 Industrial and Military Effluents

Threats

  1. pipeline leaks, e.g. oil and brine water
  2. oil and brine water spills at production or exploration facilities
  3. oil and brine water spills during transportation
  4. inappropriate disposal of brine water
  5. inappropriate disposal of radioactive waste
  6. coal mining and coal-fired power plant waste seepages
  7. nonpoint runoff from military bases

Conservation Action

  1. require pipeline warning system for leak detection
  2. require check valves to contain oil in pipeline in the event of a pipeline rupture
  3. improve reporting and disclosure of incidents
  4. quantify the magnitude of incidents, full disclosure of environmental impact
  5. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines

9.3 Agriculture and Forestry Effluents

Threats

  1. fertilizer and pesticide runoff from cropland
  2. runoff from improperly designed or sited feedlots
  3. livestock excrement and urine, point source pollution
  4. tile drainage, nonpoint source pollution

Conservation Action

  1. require warning system for waste leakage detection
  2. require full containment feedlot runoff control system
  3. improve reporting and disclosure of incidents
  4. quantify the magnitude of incidents, full disclosure of environmental impact
  5. promote and support regenerative grazing
  6. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines
  7. follow/implement best management practices

9.4 Garbage and Solid Waste

Threats

  1. illegal waste sites
  2. litter

Conservation Action

  1. improve reporting and disclosure of incidents
  2. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines

9.5 Air-borne Pollutants

Threats

  1. dust, e.g. from increased traffic on gravel roads, mines or quarries, coal-fired power plants,
  2. pesticide or herbicide drift
  3. hydrogen sulfide
  4. excess carbon dioxide, released during wetland tillage
  5. wind dispersion of nutrients, pollution, or sediments
  6. mercury contamination from wildfire smoke

Conservation Action

  1. require warning system for air-borne pollutant detection
  2. quantify the magnitude of incidents, full disclosure of environmental impact
  3. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines
  4. promote carbon credits

9.6 Excess Energy

Threats

  1. light and thermal pollution causing disturbance to grassland associated wildlife, e.g. from natural gas flaring or urban areas
  2. noise pollution, e.g. from increased traffic, work sites
  3. data center disturbance to wildlife, e.g., noise, heat

Conservation Action

  1. improve reporting and disclosure of incidents
  2. quantify the magnitude of incidents, full disclosure of environmental impact
  3. increase enforcement, deterrents and fines

Geological Events

10.3 Avalanches/Landslides

Threats

  1. land sloughing

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives or programs for sensitive or susceptible land
  2. incentive wetland buffers

Climate Change

11.1 Ecosystem Encroachment

Threats

  1. changes in species composition
  2. changes in phenology
  3. changes in species life cycle requirements
  4. timing and intensity of weather events

Conservation Action

  1. alter management plans to adapt to predicted changes
  2. provide habitat connectivity to ease species shifts
  3. research predicted changes and potential impacts
  4. monitor effect of changes
  5. some change is natural, dynamic landscape

11.3 Changes Temperature Regimes

Threats

  1. proliferates invasive plants
  2. limits management actions
  3. loss of wildlife or plant production
  4. increased mortality of wildlife
  5. transition of wetlands to lakes (see Case Study 3)

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands

11.4 Changes Precipitation and Hydrological Regimes

Threats

  1. proliferates invasive plants
  2. increase duration and frequency
  3. changes to wet/dry cycle
  4. transition of wetlands to lakes (see Case Study 3)

Conservation Action

  1. alter management plans

11.5 Severe/Extreme Weather Events

Threats

  1. siltation, sedimentation and erosion
  2. proliferate invasive plants
  3. consolidation of wetlands from flooding or prolonged wet periods

Conservation Action

  1. offer incentives and programs to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands
  2. incentivize buffers

Other

12.1 Human Dimensions

Threats

  1. social apathy of the value of healthy wetlands and ecosystem services
  2. lack of knowledge of wetlands ecosystem
  3. view of wetlands as being of no significance, e.g. “wasteland”
  4. public misconception that livestock are bad for the environment

Conservation Action

  1. increase awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the wetland ecosystem and ecosystem services
  2. public education and outreach
  3. provide demonstration sites
  4. incorporate wetland education into K-12 classrooms
  5. human dimension research/surveys
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