We have developed wetland delineation software and want to incorporate climate change into a Citizen Scientist module. Is there anyone out there that would like to discuss "dash-board" indicators with me concerning climate change and wetlands?

If not you - please let me know who you would talk to about wetlands and climate change. All Gurus welcome ;-0.

I recently attended a seminar where the subject of wetlands and climate change was discussed. The focus was on the role of wetlands in sequestering carbon dioxide to mitigate the theoretical effects of global warming.

Wetlands have the capability of emitting large quantities of water vapor to the atmosphere. Water vapor has a much higher heat capacity and "heat trapping" effect than carbon dioxide. As such, wetlands may be realistically viewed as a source of greenhouse gas emissions similar to vehicle emissions, coal fired power plants, cattle flatulance, and industrial factories.

Likewise, wetlands also emit carbon dioxide and methane which result from oxidation/reduction reactions in the decomposition of organic material.

It is not clear whether the relatively minor carbon sequestration function in wetlands can effectively mitigate the theoretical effects of climate change.

"...greenhouse emissions similar to vehicle emissions, coal-fired power plants, cattle flatulence (oops!), and industrial factories"?? From li'l ol' wetlands!? The dickens you say! Johnny, you sound like a nay-sayer.

"....theoretical effects of climate change." Theee-o-retical effects. Them's code words. Johnny, you're not one o' them "deniers", are you?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Matt Reed,

I have a little reluctance to combining sea level rise and wetland delineation procedures. When the government bureaucrats finish with it you will have the "Noah's Arc Rule". With an unknown set of variables, the high water line could be anywhere at anytime for any reason.

Global warming presents a new and challenging opportunity for wetlands practitioners who know how to calculate carbon credits per acre, for carbon sequestered in wetlands.

I have heard optomistic projections that NEPA could be invoked to require carbon calculations for permit applications and mitigation plans.

Let us hope that wetlands science may contribute to this search for truth by demonstrating the connection between wetlands hydrology and global warming.

Below is a link to a website on wetlands and global warming.

http://www.aswm.org/calendar/wetlands2008/index.htm

"Tell all the folks in Russia, and China, too
Please don't miss this train at the station
'Cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you
Well
People all over the world......"

Regarding global warming, Matt said:

"...Please don't miss this train at the station..."

Dear Matt,

It may be too late for the wetlands "community" to jump on the global warming train.

Unlike global warming practitioners, credible wetland scientists can not blindly ignore the effects of hydrology and focus solely on carbon dioxide. This presents a fundamental conflict which would undermine the foundation of global warming "science" and compound the skepticism that threatens this movement.

Wetlands offer no "solutions" to global warming and in fact only adds to the "problem."

There may be a few papers and some conferences on wetlands and global warming, but overall it would be very difficult for anyone to earn a honest living by selling wetlands as a cure for global warming.

Hybrid cars, florescent light bulbs, and bio-diesel started early and are way ahead of wetlands in the global warming market place.

Wetlands may provide a good place to meditate and possibly offer some spiritual comfort, but wetlands can not save humanity from the ravages of ecological disaster.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Johnny Stevens,

Johnny, you got my drift. 'preciate it. Thanks. And thanks, also, to the O'Jays (Love Train, 1975). You can almost hear'em singin', can't ya? "People all over the world, Join hands...."

And you are right, "climate change" is a two-edged sword for the wetlands "community". Wetlands scientists are well advised to just keep-on keepin'-on with what they been doing and don't try to jump-on that global warming Peace Train .

Ms. Carpenter,
Perhaps you should say a bit more about how your software works. Global warming should not affect the way wetlands are delineated. Wetland delineation criteria are set by the Corps of Engineers and Congress. While global warming may change rainfall patterns which will result in changing wetlands, the delineation method for those wetlands will remain the same.
What are you asking?

Matt nicely summarized the response of wetlands scientists to the threat of global warming:

"...Wetlands scientists are well advised to just keep-on keepin'-on with what they been doing and don't try to jump-on that global warming Peace Train ..."

Dear Matt,
Apparently, global warming is far more serious than we realized;

NWF’s Global Warming and the Chesapeake Bay Report

The National Wildlife Federation has released their report of the impact of Sea-Level Rise on the Coastal Habitats of the Chesapeake Bay. The threats posed by global warming are real. The Chesapeake Bay region is already experiencing climate changes that stress human development and natural habitats alike. Without an effective response, these trends will undo decades of conservation work, leading to major changes in the bay and fewer opportunities for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation. Fortunately, solutions are available. But, for these solutions to work, the people of the bay region must call for action now.

For a direct link to the report webpage (includes a 4-page summary as well as full report links), go to: http://www.nwf.org/sealevelrise/chesapeakebay.cfm

Who can we trust to save us from the impending doom of global warming?