Topic outline

  • Classification of Wetlands

    Credits: 4 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This course covers the classification and identification of wetlands characteristics. This classification, to be used in a new inventory of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States, is intended to describe ecological taxa, arrange them in a system useful to resource managers, furnish units for mapping, and provide uniformity of concepts and terms.
    Wetlands are defined by plants (hydrophytes), soils (hydric soils), and frequency of flooding. Ecologically related areas of deep water, traditionally not considered wetlands, are included in the classification as deepwater habitats.

    Topics:

    • Introduction to Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats
    • The Classification System and Hierarchical Structure
    • Marine, Estuarine, Riverine, Lacustrine, Palustrine Systems
    • Classes, Subclasses, and Dominance Types
    • Rock and Unconsolidated Bottoms
    • Aquatic Bed, Reef, Streambed
    • Rocky and Unconsolidated Shore
    • Moss-Lichen, Emergent, Scrub-Shrub, and Forested Wetland
    • Water Regime, Water Chemistry, Soil, and Special Modifiers
    • Regionalization for the Classification System
    • Use of the Classification System
    • Scientific and common names of plants and animals
    • Glossary of terms
    • Criteria for distinguishing organic soils from mineral soils
    • Artificial key to Systems and Classes
    • Distribution of Subclasses within the classification hierarchy
    • Salinity Modifiers used in the classification system
    • pH Modifiers used in the classification system
    • Comparison of wetland types
    • Comparison of zones devised by Stewart and Kantrud (1971)

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion


    Intended Audience: Civil, Environmental, Transportation, Hydraulic, Geotechnical Engineers
    Publication Source: Dept. of the Interior (Fish and Wildlife Services)

    Donald Parnell, PE
    • Topic 1