Methods for estimating wetland loss: The Rainbasin region of Nebraska, 1927-1981

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Measurement of wetland loss is important to those who manage the resource. Because technology and data limitations do not yet allow for accurate reconstruction of “pre-agricultural-development landscapes,” researchers must resort to an assortment of methods and data for analyzing the spatial variability of wetlands. We demonstrate the measurement and quantification of historic changes in the areal extent of wetlands in the Rainbasin region of Nebraska with and without digital geographic overlay procedures. Results are compared to earlier estimates based on traditional approaches. Although wetlands have inherent indeterminate boundaries, the use of digital geographic overlay procedures is a logical approach to estimating wetland loss. Errors in the estimation of wetland loss can be attributed to field mapping discrepancies, mistakes in the original or final map product, and errors in the digitization of map data.