Decomposition also is important in determining wetland structure and may be evaluated.
Paired 5- x 5-m plots of fenced exclosures and non-exclosures will be set up in different community types to monitor impacts of herbivory in selected important communities. Therefore, herbivory will be studied in selected areas to provide a better understanding of the impacts on plant communities. In some wetland areas, such as Canaan Valley, herbivory by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) may change the species composition and abundance of native plant communities. Habitat use and potential impacts on wetland community structure can be performed. If enough funding can be obtained, radio telemetry will be performed on beaver, so a model of beaver Moreover, habitat evaluations will be conducted that are appropriate for each species. We will visit wetlands from March to June to account for temporal breeding differences among species. Anuran communities will be evaluated using nocturnal call count surveys to evaluate species presence or absence and relative abundance. Surveys will be followed by playback surveys for some waterbirds that are generally missed with traditional bird count methodologies.
Stations will be spaced 250 m for independent bird surveys. At each wetland, we will determine a sufficient number of sampling stations to cover the entire wetland area. We will establish a minimum of one 50-m radius point count station at each wetland. We will conduct 10-min point counts between 30-min before sunrise and 1000 hours, under acceptable weather conditions. Mid May and early July, when breeding birds are most active. Avian communities will be sampled using point count surveys between At each wetland, at least 1 quadrat will be used to sample each distinct plant community. Representative communities will be sampled using randomly placed permanently marked 25 x 20 m quadrats. Plant communities will first be stratified based on distinct communities present.
Vegetation will be sampled using a nested quadrat design to match the relative size of the vegetation (i.e., trees, shrubs, herbaceous) with the size of the quadrat. Invertebrate sampling will be conducted during summer by use of a 5 cm diameter core (15 cm deep) to sample benthic invertebrates and a 7.5 cm diameter water column sampler to sample nektonic invertebrates. Study sites will be stratified by physiographic province.
Project Methods The study will take place throughout West Virginia, with an emphasis on high elevation natural wetlands such as Canaan Valley, mitigated wetlands sites, and riparian wetlands associated with the Ohio River.
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