Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands: Abiotic and Floristic Characterization

A Summary of Reports Prepared for Michigan Natural Features Inventory

prepared by: Leah D. Minc, Data Analyst and Dennnis A. Albert, Ecologist, MNFI funded by: Great Lakes National Program Office Federal Grant #GL9 958 10-02

The Nature Conservancy Great Lakes Program 8 South Michigan Avenue Suite 2301 Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 759-8017

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

II. Methods

III. Major Findings:  Abiotic Factors 

• Aquatic System
• Fluctuations in Great Lakes Water Levels 
• Surficial Bedrock 
• Glacial Landform 
• Climate 
• Human Land Use and Anthropogenic Stress

IV. Major Findings: Vegetation Analyses 

• Lake Superior Poor Fen
• Northern Rich Fen 
• Northern Great Lakes Marsh 
• Green Bay Disturbed Marsh 
• Lake Michigan Lacustrine Estuaries
• Saginaw Bay Lakeplain Marsh 
• Lake Erie-St. Clair Lakeplain Marsh 
• Lake Ontario Lagoon Marshes 
• St. Lawrence River Estuaries

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References Cited

List of Tables (in PDF format only)

• Table 1: Site Types for Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands

• Table 2: Classification and Ranking of Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands

List of Figures

• Figure 1:  Distribution of Great Lakes coastal wetlands evaluated in this study

• Figure 2:  Identification and location of Lake Superior and St. Marys River coastal wetlands included in vegetation analysis

• Figure 3:  Identification and location of coastal wetlands from Lake Huron, St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and Detroit River included in vegetation analysis

• Figure 4:  Identification and location of Lake Michigan coastal wetlands included in vegetation analysis

• Figure 5:  Identification and location of Lake Erie coastal wetlands included in vegetation analysis

• Figure 6:  Identification and location of Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River coastal wetlands included in vegetation analysis

 List of Plates 

• Plate 1:  Wetland Site Types of the Great Lakes Shoreline

• Plate 2:  Wetland Site Types Created by Sand-Transport Features  

• Plate 3:  Wetland Site Types Created by Sand-Transport Features (concluded)

• Plate 4:  Wetland Site Types of Riverine and Estuarine Systems 

 Acknowledgments

This study represents the combined efforts of many people.  Individuals participating in field work include (in alphabetical order) Larry Brewer, William Brodowich, Michael Broschart, Donald Cameron, Tim Garlock, Chad Hess, Michael Kost, Will MacKinnon, James Meeker, Michael Penskar, Ursula Peterson, Deborah Pomroy-Petry, Gary Reese, Carol Reschke, Greg Schneider, Lisa St. Hilaire, Gill Starks, and Dan Wujek.  Photographic credits for this and previous reports go to Ted Cline, Russell Cole, Eric Epstein, John Griebsch, and D. Klein.  

A number of people provided valuable information, insights, and commentary incorporated in this work.  We'd like to thank Charles Bier, Sandy Bonanno, Sue Crispin, Eric Epstein, Mike Grimm, Tom Hart, Bud Harris, Carol Johnston, Janet Keough, James McCormac, Dave Rutkowski, Cathy Schneider, Steve Sutherland, and Gene Wright for their time and assistance, and the Lansing office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for access to their library.  The assistance of the Roger Gauthier and Lisa Jipping of the Detroit Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in providing maps of shoreline characterizations is gratefully acknowledged.  Funding was provided by the Great Lakes Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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