Recommendation | Soil Genesis and Development, Scenario 3 - Soils and Salts

If the developer will be allowed to use the saline wetland site, he might mitigate the loss of wetland by establishing a wetland of similar area and characteristics nearby. Most of the lands on which such a wetland could be established, however, are similar to soil 1 at the existing site. Review the properties of the three soils on the existing site to answer the following question.

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Question

Question 19a: Will the developer have to raise the water table at the proposed wetland site to recreate the conditions at the existing site‏?

Yes

In order to support wetland vegetation, the soil must be saturated with water for at least part of the year.

No

In order to support wetland vegetation, the soil must be saturated with water for at least part of the year.

Looks Good! In order to support wetland vegetation, the soil must be saturated with water for at least part of the year.

Question

Question 19b: Will the developer have to increase soil salt content at the proposed wetland site to recreate the conditions at the existing site‏?

Yes

To replicate the existing site, the proposed site must be not just a wetland, but a saline wetland.

No

To replicate the existing site, the proposed site must be not just a wetland, but a saline wetland.

Looks Good! To replicate the existing site, the proposed site must be not just a wetland, but a saline wetland.

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Question 19c: Will the developer have to increase soil organic matter content at the proposed wetland site to recreate the conditions at the existing site‏?

Yes

While wetlands commonly have high organic matter soils, this is a result of the high soil water content, not a cause of it.

No

While wetlands commonly have high organic matter soils, this is a result of the high soil water content, not a cause of it.

Looks Good! While wetlands commonly have high organic matter soils, this is a result of the high soil water content, not a cause of it.

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Question 19d: Will the developer have to add fertilizer at the proposed wetland site to recreate the conditions at the existing site‏?

Yes

Fertilization will not be necessary and may even encourage the growth of non-native plants at the expense of desirable native wetland plants.

No

Fertilization will not be necessary and may even encourage the growth of non-native plants at the expense of desirable native wetland plants.

Looks Good! Fertilization will not be necessary and may even encourage the growth of non-native plants at the expense of desirable native wetland plants.

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Question 19e: Will the developer have to establish salt-tolerant vegetation at the proposed wetland site to recreate the conditions at the existing site‏?

Yes

There will be no natural populations of salt-tolerant plants at the proposed site, so importing plants, possibly from the existing site before it is destroyed, will be necessary.

No

There will be no natural populations of salt-tolerant plants at the proposed site, so importing plants, possibly from the existing site before it is destroyed, will be necessary.

Looks Good! There will be no natural populations of salt-tolerant plants at the proposed site, so importing plants, possibly from the existing site before it is destroyed, will be necessary.

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Question 19f: Will the developer have to establish populations of the Salt Creek Tiger beetle at the proposed wetland site to recreate the conditions at the existing site‏?

Yes

Because the beetle is endangered and has very specific conditions for growth, there will be no natural populations at the proposed site. Like with salt-tolerant vegetation, it will probably be necessary to transport beetles to the new site and monitor them to ensure they establish.

No

Because the beetle is endangered and has very specific conditions for growth, there will be no natural populations at the proposed site. Like with salt-tolerant vegetation, it will probably be necessary to transport beetles to the new site and monitor them to ensure they establish.

Looks Good! Because the beetle is endangered and has very specific conditions for growth, there will be no natural populations at the proposed site. Like with salt-tolerant vegetation, it will probably be necessary to transport beetles to the new site and monitor them to ensure they establish.

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Question

Question 20: If you were a government regulator charged with determining whether or not the developer should be allowed to proceed, based on the ability to recreate the saline wetland at another site, what would your decision be and why?

Yes, the developer may proceed. The proposed site has properties similar to the existing wetland and will be easy to convert.

The proposed site is very different from the existing saline wetland, including such instrinsic soil properties as drainage, topographic posisiton, and salt content.

No, the developer may not proceed. The climate at the proposed site is too different to allow it to become a saline weland even with substantial inputs.

Macroclimate at the two sites is very similar because they are separated by only a few miles.

No, the developer may not proceed. The topographic position of the proposed site makes it impossible to establish drainage conditions on which all other site changes depend.

The major difference is that the proposed site is located on a topographic high point, which contributes to its good drainage. This will make it impossible to raise the water table, increase salt content, and establish the desired plants and insects.

Yes, the developer may proceed. While the engineering difficulties are considerable, establishing wetland plants on the site will allow all other changes, including relocating populations of the Salt Creek Tiger beetle, to be made successfully.

The problem is not an engineering one, rather a biological one. Wetland plants will not dominate a landscape which is well-drained, as the proposed site is. The plants are a result of the poor drainage at the existing wetland, not the cause of it.

Looks Good! The major difference is that the proposed site is located on a topographic high point, which contributes to its good drainage. This will make it impossible to raise the water table, increase salt content, and establish the desired plants and insects.