Wetlands of the Interior Southeastern United States: Conference Summary Statement

The wetland resources in the southern United States are diverse, being characterized by bottomland hardwoods, forested riparian zones, swamps, marshes, bogs, and fens. Recognizing the importance of the wetland resource, the need to develop information on the diversity of wetland types, and the evolving public debate regarding the protection and management of wetlands, this conference was organized to (1) provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of current research and information on wetland ecosystems, (2) to develop a basis on which to improve wetland conservation and management, (3) to provide a forum to encourage collaboration in the study and management of wetland resources, and (4) to suggest actions that would benefit wetland conservation and management. Twenty-three invited technical papers and three working group sessions addressed topics encompassing the full spectrum of wetland issues, including resource status, ecological and hydrological processes, management and conservation, and restoration and creation. Major findings discussed at the conference included the need to distinguish between functions and values, the development of a hydrogeomorphic classification system for assessing wetland functions, and assessment methodologies for planning and implementing effective wetland restoration projects. Papers summarizing the current understanding of wetland soil and vegetation processes in the region highlighted the important role wetlands play in landscape function, yet the understanding of those processes is incomplete. Insights developed from the study of wetlands in the interior southeastern United States have widespread applicability to other regions because of similarities in hydrogeomorphic setting and vegetation communities, and the management and conservation issues.