Forestry & Wetland Applications

Through use of watershed science applications, WPN builds upon planning efforts to identify on-the-ground projects that meet a range of objectives. Specific services include:
  • Fine-scale mapping and assessment of vegetation resources
  • Biomass and carbon assessments using combined LiDAR and ground-truth approaches
  • Wetland delineation, impact assessment, 404 mitigation permits and mitigation designs
  • Rapid functional assessments
  • Restoration & management plans for upland, wetland and riparian zones
  • Vegetation prescriptions to improve water quality, decrease fire risk and promote carbon sequestration
  • Development of sustainable desired future resource use and conditions

Forestry and Large Wood Inputs to Streams:

West Fork Hood River Riparian Management Action Plan (click on title to expand)


WPN conducted a long-term large wood debris (LWD) recruitment study for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation for a watershed on the north slope of Mount Hood, Oregon. This pilot project provided an integrated riparian management program that focuses on the sources and limitations of ecosystem services (LWD recruitment and stream shading) through a 100-year time period. Forest structure, composition and large tree mortality were mapped at ultra fine-scales (individual tree boles) using LiDAR and ground truth analysis. Action plan areas were identified to prescribe site-specific treatments for capturing projected tree mortality to use for in-stream salmon habitat enhancement projects.
Contact Chris Heider for more information about this project

Conger Wildland Urban Interface Timber Sale & Fire/Fuels Reduction

WPN analyzed an ecologically diverse 5,700-acre timber sale/ fuels reduction project within the wildland-urban interface of Forest Service lands in N.E. Washington. WPN assessed the current and potential natural plant communities, and modeled fire behavior at both local and landscape scales, with the goal to restore the historic and natural range of variability in forest composition, structure and fire regimes.
Contact Chris Heider for more information about this project

Wetlands, Forest and Climate Change:

Mangroves of Western Pacific

WPN worked with the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry and International Programs (USDA Forest Service) to quantify the impacts of climate-change related sea level rise on mangrove forests in the western Pacific. Work involved quantifying the total ecosystem carbon and nutrient pools along a micro-elevational gradient from the upland-mangrove transition to the mud flats/sea grass communities important for the local fishery. Outcomes include modeling sea level rise effects on the ecosystem services provided by mangrove buffer areas (typhoons, carbon storage, food webs/ fisheries, sediment, etc). Presented findings to government, NGO and international agencies in Palau, greater Micronesia and the United States.
Click here to view a poster prepared from this work
Contact Chris Heider for more information about this project

Ecosystem Impacts of Land Use on Climate Change

WPN participated in a highly detailed and large-scale assessment of total ecosystem carbon and nutrient pools (soils, roots, above ground) to quantify the atmospheric and terrestrial impacts of land-use conversion in the Neotropics. Work specifically involved the measurement, mapping and scaling of many different forest types through the cycle of conversion to agriculture and fallow through deforestation and fire events. Outcomes included the fate and transport of terrestrial carbon pools to the atmosphere, the assessment of land-use viability following combustion and conversion, and the minimum considerations/ sensitivities associated with measuring C pools and creating high-value CDM/ REDD projects. Work has been presented to international panels, governments and the scientific community.
Click here to view a poster prepared from this work
Contact Chris Heider for more information about this project

Wetland Mitigation, Delineation & Assessment:

Tamwax Rim Mitigation Design


WPN team members developed a compensatory wetland mitigation plan for mitigation of 0.8 acres of wetlands lost on Tanwax Rim in Pierce County, Washington. The Nisqually Land Trust provided an easement on their land along Ohop Creek for a 2.2 acre wetland restoration project. Work involved coordination with the regulatory agency, and oversight of contractors involved in project construction and planting. An ongoing monitoring program is in effect for the project area.
Contact Nancy Napp for more information about this project

Middle Deschutes Botanical Survey

WPN surveyed springs and seeps on 20 miles of the Middle Deschutes River for the BLM. Botanical data were collected (including a rare plant survey), and area measurements were made at springs and seeps to aid in tracking spring conditions in the canyon. Detailed GIS maps and supporting data will be used to track changes in riparian areas and spring conditions over time.
Contact Nancy Napp for more information about this project

Mount Hood Wetlands Inventory Project

WPN conducted a wetland inventory on the Mount Hood National Forest in support of two proposed land exchanges. The Mt. Hood National Forest is conducting a feasibility analysis for two proposed land exchanges in Clackamas and Hood River counties. As part of the feasibility analysis, the National Forest requires an inventory of wetlands over 0.5 acres. The wetland inventory maps, data and functional analysis completed by WPN are being used to support the land exchange process. WPN used LiDAR and other remote sensing data to initially screen candidate wetlnds, followed by a field survey and functional analysis.
Contact Nancy Napp for more information about this project