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Resources

We’re building this resource library of informational articles to help advance ecological restoration efforts in the Upper Midwest.

Mitigation Partners Inc. (MPI) works with all of its partners to create up to date, relevant information for visitors, partners and the general public interested in environmental and ecological restoration or mitigation.

The goal is to make available informational and educational information for anyone interested in the areas of expertise of MPI and its partners.

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Kristin Shardlow 7/7/22 Kristin Shardlow 7/7/22

Wetland Identification: Do I Have A Wetland On My Property?

Minnesota’s wetlands come in different shapes, sizes and forms, but all provide numerous ecological services to plants, animals and humans alike. But what exactly is a wetland? Is it that cattail pond in my neighbor’s backyard? Or is that seasonally flooded lowland on my property? Here we offer a basic overview of wetlands and ways to identify them.

Wetland Delineations: Types, Steps, and Regional Differences

Since 1991, Minnesota has regulated a “no net loss” of wetland area within the state. Delineation is the process by which boundaries of existing wetlands are defined and area is measured – a critical component of the mitigation banking system of credit offsets.

Wetland Monitoring: A Critical Component of any Wetland Restoration Project

Restoration monitoring is a complex process that requires expert ecological and statistical knowledge, as it informs decisions for adaptive management, timelines for goals, and evidence for successful credit approval.

Get to know Minnesota’s
8 Wetland Types

Taking into account the edaphic (soil-related), botanical, and hydrological variability among the types of wetlands in the United States, experts have developed a number of classification systems to categorize wetlands. One such system is Circular 39, developed in 1956 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Circular 39 defines twenty different types of wetlands found in the U.S. The first eight are inland freshwater wetland types, all of them found in Minnesota.

Type 1: Seasonally-Flooded Basin

Although often overlooked at first glance, the seasonally flooded basin is a vital wetland ecosystem that has unique characteristics and provides essential environmental and economic services. Read more…
Type 2: Wet Meadows

Admired for their diverse plant communities and their ability to support rare and valuable species, wet meadows are considered invaluable wetland ecosystems that provide essential environmental and economic services. Read more…
Type 3: Shallow Marshes

Although commonplace, a shallow marsh is a highly regarded ecosystem that supports diverse wildlife and provides essential services for people and ecosystems alike. Read more…
Type 4: Deep Marshes

Known as “prairie potholes” in southern Minnesota, deep marshes are water-filled basins that provide food and resting areas for migratory birds and many other wildlife species. Read more…
Type 5: Inland Open Freshwater

Most often enjoyed by people for canoeing, hunting, and fishing, open freshwater wetlands are an accessible source of recreation and viewing plant and animal species. Read More…
Type 6: Shrub Swamps

As their locations and landscape positions are similar to those occupied by wooded swamps, shrub swamps have similar soils and perform similar ecosystem services. Read More…
Type 7: Wooded Swamps

Wooded swamps are a common feature on the Minnesota landscape throughout the state, but especially in central and northern Minnesota. They contribute vastly to the quality of life of every Minnesotan through the ecosystem services they perform, the timber they provide, their benefits to wildlife, their beauty, and the recreational opportunities they afford. Read more…
Type 8: Bogs

One of North America’s most distinctive kinds of wetlands, bogs are filled with spongy peat, acidic water, and a thick layer of sphagnum moss. They prevent downstream flooding by absorbing precipitation and provide habitat to animal species that are threatened by human encroachment. Read More…