PART II: TECHNICAL GUIDELINES 



24. The interaction of hydrology, vegetation, and soil results in the 

 development of characteristics unique to wetlands. Therefore, the following 

 technical guideline for wetlands is based on these three parameters, and diag- 

 nostic environmental characteristics used in applying the technical guideline 

 are represented by various indicators of these parameters. 



25. Because wetlands may be bordered by both wetter areas (aquatic 

 habitats) and by drier areas (nonwetlands) , guidelines are presented for wet- 

 lands, deepwater aquatic habitats, and nonwetlands. However, procedures for 

 applying the technical guidelines for deepwater aquatic habitats and nonwet- 

 lands are not included in the manual. 



Wetlands 



26. The following definition, diagnostic environmental characteristics, 

 and technical approach comprise a guideline for the identification and deline- 

 ation of wetlands: 



a. Definition. The CE ( Federal Register 1982) and the EPA 

 ( Federal Register 1980) jointly define wetlands as: Those 

 areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground 

 water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and 

 that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of 

 vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil condi- 

 tions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and 

 similar areas. 



b. Diagnostic environmental characteristics. Wetlands have the 

 following general diagnostic environmental characteristics: 



(1) Vegetation. The prevalent vegetation consists of macro- 

 phytes that are typically adapted to areas having hydro- 

 logic and soil conditions described in a above. Hydro- 

 phytic species, due to morphological, physiological, 

 and/or reproductive adaptation(s) , have the ability to 

 grow, effectively compete, reproduce, and/or persist in 

 anaerobic soil conditions.* Indicators of vegetation 

 associated with wetlands are listed in paragraph 35. 



* Species (e.g. Acer rmbrum) having broad ecological tolerances occur in both 

 wetlands and nonwetlands. 



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