I 



CRITERIA : CATEGORY I (v) -Wetlands with irreplaceable ecological functions. 



SLB-CRITERIA PFAT WETLAND 



1) Peat wetlands without sicnific.int hvdrologic mcdificaticn -.shore significant hvdrolo^;; 

 nuviifiCciti. 'H !> dc n'lOroir.U'.-d b\ . 



a) Replacement of pre-settlcmcnt tlora (it determined) by monotypic Spiraea inaranaoK/, r..vj 

 canary grass or cattail; or 



b) More than 7Q% of flora replaced by species in above; or 



c) Evidence of drainage ditches, peat stockpiling, peat dredging or mining, removal of woody 

 vegetation, plowing or planting i.e. com ; or 



d) Diversion of water source. The f)cat is dry and decomposing, often white and dry on surface, 

 clearly oxidizing and disintegrating; or 



e) Severe grazing, with evidence of heavy trampling, vegetation removal and nutrient 

 addition. 



SOURCE 



See field methodology 



JUSTIFICATION 



Bogs and fens are very stable wetland types with peat soils which are very sensitive to 

 disturbance. Bogs and fens form when organic material accumulates faster than it decompcsos 

 Bog/fen systems form extremely slowly, at the rate of one inch per 40 years in w >!cm 

 Washington and one inch per hundred years in eastern Washington. Bogs arc hydrologically 

 closed systems without flowing water. They are extremely acidic and low in nutrients and the 

 plants which grow in them are specifically adapted to such conditions. Fens normally suppcri 

 a greater diversity of plant species and have greater amounts of available nutrients and a 

 higher pH than bogs. 



A variety of specialized plants live in bogs and fens. Most bog/fen plants have developed 

 adaptations to survive in the acidic, low-nutrient environment. Thus, minor changes in the 

 hydrology or nutrient levels in these systems can have major adverse impacts on the plant 

 communities. Peat systems also provide significant habitat for a variety of wildlife species 

 and jserform important hydrolog;ic functions including groundwater and stream recharge. 



The vast majority of the bogs/fens observed in western Washington have been degraded 

 through hydrologic modification and reduction in species diversity and integrity. In eastern 

 Washington, peat mining is progressing at a significant and increasing rate. In addition, there 

 is no knowm technology for replicating or creating a bog/fen. 



DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY - DRAFT 21 



