The 48 aquatic landscape features (see table below) were based on an existing stream classification for Michigan (Seelbach et al. 1997), general wetland types (USEPA 2005a), lake features (Wetzel 2001, Kalff 2002), and other landscape components or characteristics identified through scientific literature review as important to a significant number of aquatic SGCN. Location/distribution maps of aquatic landscape features were generated using spatial data from several sources, including the DNR (Seelbach et al. 1997, Breck 2004, DNR 2004a, DNR 2005a), Detroit Zoological Institute (2005), Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI 2000), MNFI (2005), the National Ocean and Atmospheric Association (NOAA 2004), The Nature Conservancy (TNC; DePhilip 2001), the University of Michigan (2005), USFWS (USFWS 2005) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS 2005a). The maps are included in the Landscape Feature Summaries.
LANDSCAPE FEATURE
DESCRIPTION
Great Lakes
Shoreline
0-3 m deep
Nearshore
3-30 m deep
Offshore
>30 m deep
Inland Lakes
Ponds
Open water <5 acres
Small lakes
Open water 5-99 acres
Medium lakes
Open water 100-999 acres
Large lakes
Open water >1000 acres
Lake characteristics
Wave-washed shore
Trophic status: eutrophic
Trophic status: mesotrophic
Trophic status: oligotrophic
Stratified
Connectivity: drainage
Connectivity: seep
Rivers
Cold headwaters/small tributaries
<40 mi2 catchment area
Cool headwaters/small tributaries
<40 mi2 catchment area
Warm headwaters/small tributaries
<40 mi2 catchment area
Headwaters/small tributaries
<40 mi2 catchment area
Cold medium
40-179 mi2 catchment area
Cool medium
40-179 mi2 catchment area
Warm medium
40-179 mi2 catchment area
Medium
40-179 mi2 catchment area
Cold large
180-620 mi2 catchment area
Cool large
180-620 mi2 catchment area
Warm large
180-620 mi2 catchment area
Large
180-620 mi2 catchment area
Very large
>620 mi2 catchment area
Rivers characteristics
Gradient: slow
0.0-4.9 ft/mi
Gradient: moderate
5.0-9.9 ft/mi
Gradient: fast
10.0-69.9 ft/mi
Gradient: very fast
>70.0 ft/mi
Banks: sand
Banks: clay
Banks: rock
Intermittent
Wetlands
Bog
Characterized by floating or surface vegetative mats, such as sphagnum moss mats, and most of water is provided by precipitation
Fen
Nutrient-rich wetland fed primarily through ground and surface waters
Ephemeral wetland
Semi-permanent wetlands that vary dramatically seasonally or annually
Inland emergent wetland
Areas with permanent water dominated by non-woody vegetation that breaks the surface (e.g., marshes)
Swamp
Areas with permanent water dominated by woody vegetation