Physical and Chemical Monitoring of Wetland Water

The physical and chemical attributes that comprise the "water quality" of a wetland have significant influence on the system's biotic structure and function. Assessments of wetland water quality can be used for reference-based monitoring in the development and implementation of wetland water quality standards and to provide ancillary information in support of biotic surveys. While the methods used to evaluate water quality in wetlands are generally the same as those used for other surface waters, wetlands may difer in their dominant source of water, often have greater heterogeneity in habitat types, and can exhibit significant variability in water permanence. These characteristics can lead to spatial and temporal variability within and among wetlands that can make it dificult to use water data to detect human impacts. This chapter reviews some of the major sources of variability in wetland water quality and discusses approaches and general sampling considerations for characterizing basic water quality in wetland monitoring studies.