SUB-CRITERJA FORESTED WETLANDS 



If all of the following (1-4) arc satisfied, a forested wetland !<; a Ci!'.";:'^r\- 1 n\iti;rc f -.-t'.d 

 \NCtland; 



1) Forested wetland where at least 50^^ of the tree canopy covera^^c is mature -ocs - ;-,v^ ^ 

 yrs or older for softuoC'ds c>ry^ tQ yr> .-.- . [J.^: for h.irJ-.-.. .-^- .-.:■ i 



2) Presccnce or seedlings or saplings of one or more oi the dominant o^crstory tree >pvc.^^, a;,o 



3) Non-native species constitute less than 50% of herbaceous coverage; and 



4) Area greater than 1 acre. 



All other forested wetlands are rated according to remaining Category II, III criteria. 



SOURCE 



See field methodology 



JUSTIFICATION 



Forested wetlands are impxirtant because of the variety of functions that these wetlands 

 provide and the very long time that they take to develop. Mature forested wetlands require at 

 least 50 years to develop and are most valuable for wildlife habitat when left undisti;rbcd for 

 several generations. 



Forested wetlands have exceptionally high functional values for wildlife habitat due to the 

 multiple layers of vegetation which provide a variety of food, breeding and nesting sites, and 

 thermal and hiding cover. Some forested wetlands are associated with standing water during 

 all or part of the year which makes them extremely valuable, especially when the surrounding 

 area is arid or semi-arid. Birds, mammals, and amphibians often reach their greatest densities 

 and diversity within forested wetlands. 



The tree canopy provides a moderated temperature within the wetland that is cooler in sun.mcr 

 and warmer in winter than surrounding open areas and this reduces energy needs for wildlife. 

 Trees may shade open water providing cover for fish, and dowTicd trees provide large organic 

 debris essential for fish habitat structure in streams. Leaves and insects which are important in 

 the aquatic food-chain drop into the water from overhanging trees. 



Riparian forested wetlands are those forested wetlands along streams and rivers. Riparian 

 forests nriay contain both wetland and non-wetland forest components. Non-wetland riparian 

 forests are extremely important as a transition between wetland and upland. In arid and semi- 

 arid portions of eastern Washington, the non-wetland riparian forest is an integral part of the 

 streamside habitat. 



Flood waters are slowed and diminished as they spread out in riparian forested wetlands and 

 the trees and other vegetation trap sediments from the flood waters. Sediments, shorelines and 

 streamsides are stabilized by the extensive root systems and prot<.<lcd from erosion by 

 vegetative cover. 



DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY -DRAFT 22 



