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In the intricate tapestry of ecosystems, the introduction of non-native species can often have devastating consequences. One such example is the invasive plant species known as Mother of Millions (Kalanchoe x houghtonii). Originally from Madagascar, this succulent has spread rapidly in various regions, outcompeting native flora and disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems. However, there [&#8230;]

In the intricate tapestry of ecosystems, the introduction of non-native species can often have devastating consequences. One such example is the invasive plant species known as Mother of Millions (Kalanchoe x houghtonii). Originally from Madagascar, this succulent has spread rapidly in various regions, outcompeting native flora and disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems. However, there is hope in restoring equilibrium by introducing native species like Gallberry (Ilex glabra). In this blog, we&#8217;ll explore the threats posed by Mother of Millions and the benefits of replacing it with Gallberry.
Understanding Mother of Millions: 
Mother of Millions reproduce prolifically, producing numerous plantlets along the edges of their leaves. This reproductive strategy allows them to spread rapidly, colonizing new areas, and outcompeting native vegetation for resources such as water, sunlight, and nutrients. reproduces both sexually and vegetatively. In vegetative reproduction, suckers are produced from the base of the plant and daughter plantlets are formed along the edges of detached leaves (epiphyllous buds). The prolific growth of Mother of Millions poses several ecological threats:
1. Habitat Degradation: Mother of Millions can quickly establish dense populations, forming monocultures that displace native plants and reduce biodiversity. 
2. Altered Ecosystem Dynamics: The presence of Mother of Millions can alter soil composition and nutrient cycling, affecting the entire ecosystem&#8217;s functioning. 
3. Disruption of Wildlife Habitat: The invasive nature of Mother of Millions can negatively impact native wildlife by altering habitat structure and reducing food sources.
<img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class="" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/54b94e4df12211333ec3e3a8304741384cbff2f1/c=0-237-2558-1682/local/-/media/2018/05/08/PalmSprings/PalmSprings/636613929234833179-degremontana.jpg?width=3200&amp;height=1680&amp;fit=crop" alt="Mother of millions, originally from Africa, make home in U.S. desert" width="335" height="176" />
The Case for Gallberry: 
Gallberry (Ilex glabra) is a native evergreen shrub found in southeastern United States. It belongs to the holly family and typically grows in wetland habitats such as swamps, bogs, and moist woodlands. Introducing Gallberry as a replacement for Mother of Millions offers several benefits:
1. Ecological Restoration: Gallberry plays a crucial role in maintaining the biodiversity of wetland ecosystems. Its dense foliage provides habitat and food for a variety of wildlife species, including birds, mammals, and insects. 
2. Soil Stabilization: The extensive root system of Gallberry helps prevent soil erosion, especially in areas prone to flooding and water runoff. 
3. Native Plant Diversity: By promoting the growth of Gallberry, we can enhance the diversity of native plant species in impacted ecosystems, contributing to overall ecological resilience.
<img decoding="async" class="" src="https://bugwoodcloud.org/images/1536x1024/1607251.jpg" alt="gallberry (Ilex glabra)" width="242" height="363" />
Implementing Change: 
Replacing Mother of Millions with Gallberry requires a concerted effort involving conservation organizations, land managers, and local communities. Some steps that can be taken include; removal of the invasive species, promotion and planting of native species such as Gallberry, and regular monitoring of restored areas.
The spread of invasive species like Mother of Millions poses significant challenges to ecosystem health and biodiversity. However, by replacing invasive plants with native species like Gallberry, we can work towards restoring balance and resilience to our natural landscapes. Through collaborative efforts and informed conservation practices, we can protect and preserve the rich tapestry of life that sustains us all.

In the intricate tapestry of ecosystems, the introduction of non-native species can often have devastating consequences. One such example is the invasive plant species known as Mother of Millions (Kalanchoe x houghtonii). Originally from Madagascar, this succulent has spread rapidly in various regions, outcompeting native flora and disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems. However, there is hope in restoring equilibrium by introducing native species like Gallberry (Ilex glabra). In this blog, we’ll explore the threats posed by Mother of Millions and the benefits of replacing it with Gallberry.
Understanding Mother of Millions:
1. Habitat Degradation: Mother of Millions can quickly establish dense populations, forming monocultures that displace native plants and reduce biodiversity.

The Case for Gallberry:
1. Ecological Restoration: Gallberry plays a crucial role in maintaining the biodiversity of wetland ecosystems. Its dense foliage provides habitat and food for a variety of wildlife species, including birds, mammals, and insects.

Implementing Change:
The spread of invasive species like Mother of Millions poses significant challenges to ecosystem health and biodiversity. However, by replacing invasive plants with native species like Gallberry, we can work towards restoring balance and resilience to our natural landscapes. Through collaborative efforts and informed conservation practices, we can protect and preserve the rich tapestry of life that sustains us all.

In the intricate tapestry of ecosystems, the introduction of non-native species can often have devastating consequences. One such example is the invasive plant species known as Mother of Millions (Kalanchoe x houghtonii). Originally from Madagascar, this succulent has spread rapidly in various regions, outcompeting native flora and disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems. However, there […]

Restoring Balance: Replacing Mother of Millions with Gallberry

In August 2005, large swaths of Biloxi, Mississippi were underwater. In particular, Main Street and historic New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church—0.7 miles from the coastline—were inundated with 12 feet of floodwater. While the levee failures and desperation in New Orleans grabbed most news headlines after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, storm surges in coastal Mississippi reached an [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_39261" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39261" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/stormwater-cell-tour.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-39261 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/stormwater-cell-tour-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39261" class="wp-caption-text">Landscape designers describe an underground stormwater project at New Bethel Church in Biloxi, MS. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
In August 2005, large swaths of Biloxi, Mississippi were underwater. In particular, Main Street and historic New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church—0.7 miles from the coastline—were inundated with 12 feet of floodwater. While the levee failures and desperation in New Orleans grabbed most news headlines after <a href="https://www.weather.gov/mob/katrina">Hurricane Katrina </a>made landfall, storm surges in coastal Mississippi reached an unbelievable 21 feet.
<figure id="attachment_39265" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39265" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/stormwater-cell-7.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39265 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/stormwater-cell-7-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39265" class="wp-caption-text">The landscaped strip at the edge of this parking lot is part of a highly engineered stormwater vault system. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
Years later, New Bethel and surrounding homes and businesses have dried out but not completely recovered. For years, when it rained, the church’s parking lot filled with standing water, forcing parishioners in their Sunday best to wade ankle-deep in water back to their vehicles.
As part of a broader effort to revitalize and increase the overall c<a href="https://placeslr.org/our-work/activeprojects/resilient-east-biloxi/">ommunity resilience of East Biloxi</a>, a creative arm of Mississippi State called the <a href="https://www.gulfcoaststudio.msstate.edu/current-work">Gulf Coast Community Design Studio </a>stepped in to help. They had a creative solution that not only addressed the flooding problem, but also improved the aesthetics of the open lot adjacent to the church.
<figure id="attachment_39263" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39263" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/stormwater-cell-2.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39263 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/stormwater-cell-2-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39263" class="wp-caption-text">These black plastic cells can be connected adjacent to and above or below similar cells to create underwater stormwater storage capacity. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
While I have written about <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2023/08/23/weekly-what-is-it-bioretention/">bioretention</a> here before, the New Bethel project is a bit different. Instead of digging a deeper open-air swale and planting it with vegetation, this effort incorporates an underwater stormwater vault. The designers placed hard plastic open-structure “<a href="https://citygreen.com/product_info/stratavault/">stratavault</a>” cells below ground, wrapped them in geotextiles, and covered them in landscape soil. The vaults formed an open cavity for water storage, in which the parking lot runoff could be directed. Hidden below ground, the vault was planted over with grasses and other low-growing vegetation.
<figure id="attachment_39273" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39273" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/Strata-animated.gif"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39273 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/Strata-animated-300x300.gif"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39273" class="wp-caption-text">Illustration of how the stratavaults work underground. Courtesy Citygreen.com</figcaption></figure>
While other options, including pervious pavement, were considered for the project, funding was limited, so they looked for less expensive options. The designers had access to a stockpile of free stratavault cells, so they decided to use them as a demonstration project. So far, it has worked beautifully and kept the parking lot dry.
Many sites that use underground <a href="https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_topics/water/ultraurban_bmp_rpt/3fs6.aspx">stormwater vaults</a> do so to save space.  Open real estate is expensive, especially on beaches or urban sites. So, many builders use this technique under the foundation of a building or directly below sidewalks and parking lots. Because structures are built over these underground vaults, care must be taken to provide access for future maintenance. The design of underground vaults varies from gridded cells like the East Biloxi project (often used due to their load-bearing capacity) to open concrete or metal tanks.
For more information on the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio and resilience projects in East Biloxi, check out their websites below.
Mississippi State University Gulf Coast Community Design Studio: <a href="https://www.gulfcoaststudio.msstate.edu/current-work">https://www.gulfcoaststudio.msstate.edu/current-work</a>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="bim2GlFTY6"><a href="https://placeslr.org/our-work/activeprojects/resilient-east-biloxi/">Resilient East Biloxi</a></blockquote>
<iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" title="&#8220;Resilient East Biloxi&#8221; &#8212; PLACE: SLR" src="https://placeslr.org/our-work/activeprojects/resilient-east-biloxi/embed/#?secret=gMHBHbYA2Y#?secret=bim2GlFTY6" data-secret="bim2GlFTY6" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Landscape designers describe an underground stormwater project at New Bethel Church in Biloxi, MS. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
In August 2005, large swaths of Biloxi, Mississippi were underwater. In particular, Main Street and historic New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church—0.7 miles from the coastline—were inundated with 12 feet of floodwater. While the levee failures and desperation in New Orleans grabbed most news headlines after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, storm surges in coastal Mississippi reached an unbelievable 21 feet.
The landscaped strip at the edge of this parking lot is part of a highly engineered stormwater vault system. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
Years later, New Bethel and surrounding homes and businesses have dried out but not completely recovered. For years, when it rained, the church’s parking lot filled with standing water, forcing parishioners in their Sunday best to wade ankle-deep in water back to their vehicles.
As part of a broader effort to revitalize and increase the overall community resilience of East Biloxi, a creative arm of Mississippi State called the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio stepped in to help. They had a creative solution that not only addressed the flooding problem, but also improved the aesthetics of the open lot adjacent to the church.
These black plastic cells can be connected adjacent to and above or below similar cells to create underwater stormwater storage capacity. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
While I have written about bioretention here before, the New Bethel project is a bit different. Instead of digging a deeper open-air swale and planting it with vegetation, this effort incorporates an underwater stormwater vault. The designers placed hard plastic open-structure “stratavault” cells below ground, wrapped them in geotextiles, and covered them in landscape soil. The vaults formed an open cavity for water storage, in which the parking lot runoff could be directed. Hidden below ground, the vault was planted over with grasses and other low-growing vegetation.
Illustration of how the stratavaults work underground. Courtesy Citygreen.com
While other options, including pervious pavement, were considered for the project, funding was limited, so they looked for less expensive options. The designers had access to a stockpile of free stratavault cells, so they decided to use them as a demonstration project. So far, it has worked beautifully and kept the parking lot dry.
Many sites that use underground stormwater vaults do so to save space.  Open real estate is expensive, especially on beaches or urban sites. So, many builders use this technique under the foundation of a building or directly below sidewalks and parking lots. Because structures are built over these underground vaults, care must be taken to provide access for future maintenance. The design of underground vaults varies from gridded cells like the East Biloxi project (often used due to their load-bearing capacity) to open concrete or metal tanks.
For more information on the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio and resilience projects in East Biloxi, check out their websites below.
Mississippi State University Gulf Coast Community Design Studio: https://www.gulfcoaststudio.msstate.edu/current-work
Resilient East Biloxi

In August 2005, large swaths of Biloxi, Mississippi were underwater. In particular, Main Street and historic New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church—0.7 miles from the coastline—were inundated with 12 feet of floodwater. While the levee failures and desperation in New Orleans grabbed most news headlines after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, storm surges in coastal Mississippi reached an […]

Weekly “What is it?”: Stormwater Detention Vaults

Wetlands are beautiful, important, and valuable components of our ecosystems. But for a long time, they were considered little more than insect-riddled cesspools, places devoid of worth. While not everyone fully appreciates wetlands’ many contributions to human and planetary health, state and federal laws do outline protection for these fragile systems that surround us. But [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_35525" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35525" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2022/12/gb-wetland-view.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-35525 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2022/12/gb-wetland-view-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35525" class="wp-caption-text">View of Santa Rosa Sound from the new wetland boardwalk. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
Wetlands are beautiful, important, and valuable components of our ecosystems. But for a long time, they were considered little more than insect-riddled cesspools, places devoid of worth. While not everyone fully appreciates wetlands’ many contributions to human and planetary health, state and federal laws do outline protection for these fragile systems that surround us.
<figure id="attachment_39231" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39231" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/bridge-wet.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39231 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/bridge-wet-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39231" class="wp-caption-text">Master Naturalist students crossing a bridge in Blackwater State Forest. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
But how do you define a wetland? The <a href="https://floridadep.gov/water/submerged-lands-environmental-resources-coordination/content/wetland-evaluation-and">Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)</a> describes them as “those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water at a frequency and a duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soils.” Breaking this down in regular English, wetlands are areas dominated by wet (or signs of wet) soils and specific plants adapted to those soils. While soggy coastal marshes are pretty easy to recognize, freshwater wetlands can be more complicated. Besides the incredible diversity of vegetative species found in them, disturbance from construction, interruption of natural water sources, drainage, and erosion can make them hard to recognize.
<figure id="attachment_39235" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39235" style="width: 185px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/wet-signature.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39235 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="185" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/wet-signature-185x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39235" class="wp-caption-text">A satellite image near Blackwater State Forest shows the wetland signatures (branched, dark green areas) present in the landscape. Screenshot, Apple Maps</figcaption></figure>
My Sea Grant colleagues and I are currently teaching a <a href="https://masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu/become-a-master-naturalist/master-naturalist-courses/">freshwater wetlands Master Naturalist class</a>. Included in the course have been trips to pitcher plant prairies, cypress and gum swamps, and rivers. Yesterday, we had a colleague and longtime wetlands consultant demonstrate how he determines whether a piece of property includes wetlands or not, and where to draw the line between wetlands and uplands.
This process of <a href="https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/delineationmanual.pdf">wetland delineation</a> requires a lot of background knowledge and several important tools. To begin with, you want to start with soil maps and satellite imagery. These will show wetland signatures—often appearing as darker routes of water—along a creek or riverbed. Soil maps describe the texture and water-holding capacity of hundreds of named soil types, which are divided up geographically into very specific parcels of land.
<figure id="attachment_39233" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39233" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/buttressed-trunks.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39233 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/buttressed-trunks-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39233" class="wp-caption-text">The flared shape of wetland trees in standing water is called &#8220;buttressing&#8221; and is a hydrologic indicator of wetland habitats. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
After initial analysis comes the ground-truthing. To truly evaluate a wetland’s boundaries, it’s necessary to go onsite and walk the whole area. The easiest way to corroborate those first guesses at a wetland boundary is to start looking at the vegetation. There are hundreds of groundcover, shrub, and tree types recognized as wetland species. If these dominate the landscape, odds are you’re in a wetland. Other signs of water, known as “hydrological indicators,” like buttressed trunks, crayfish mounds, or water lines yield clues about water’s presence. Sometimes, an area will have been cleared of vegetation before its proper evaluation, which are why understanding soils is so important.
<figure id="attachment_39227" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39227" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/wet-delin-4.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39227 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/wet-delin-4-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39227" class="wp-caption-text">Sean O&#8217;Toole, wetlands consultant, describes how he examines soils during a wetland evaluation. On the ground is a Munsell soil color chart. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
To evaluate soils, wetland consultants use a soil probe or a long spade that will allow them to remove a sample of soil and evaluate its color and texture. In general, wetland soils are darker and slicker than others, although a handful of other indicators can show wetland properties in relatively sandy soil. Soil color can be compared on a Munsell color chart, which is like comparing wetland-associated paint chips.
Once a stretch of land is identified as a wetland, consultants will generally mark it physically by tying plastic tape around trees, outlining the entire parcel to differentiate it between adjacent uplands. From there, a digital GPS-based map is created that can be easily translated into construction plans and permits.

View of Santa Rosa Sound from the new wetland boardwalk. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
Wetlands are beautiful, important, and valuable components of our ecosystems. But for a long time, they were considered little more than insect-riddled cesspools, places devoid of worth. While not everyone fully appreciates wetlands’ many contributions to human and planetary health, state and federal laws do outline protection for these fragile systems that surround us.
Master Naturalist students crossing a bridge in Blackwater State Forest. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
But how do you define a wetland? The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) describes them as “those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water at a frequency and a duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soils.” Breaking this down in regular English, wetlands are areas dominated by wet (or signs of wet) soils and specific plants adapted to those soils. While soggy coastal marshes are pretty easy to recognize, freshwater wetlands can be more complicated. Besides the incredible diversity of vegetative species found in them, disturbance from construction, interruption of natural water sources, drainage, and erosion can make them hard to recognize.
A satellite image near Blackwater State Forest shows the wetland signatures (branched, dark green areas) present in the landscape. Screenshot, Apple Maps
My Sea Grant colleagues and I are currently teaching a freshwater wetlands Master Naturalist class. Included in the course have been trips to pitcher plant prairies, cypress and gum swamps, and rivers. Yesterday, we had a colleague and longtime wetlands consultant demonstrate how he determines whether a piece of property includes wetlands or not, and where to draw the line between wetlands and uplands.
This process of wetland delineation requires a lot of background knowledge and several important tools. To begin with, you want to start with soil maps and satellite imagery. These will show wetland signatures—often appearing as darker routes of water—along a creek or riverbed. Soil maps describe the texture and water-holding capacity of hundreds of named soil types, which are divided up geographically into very specific parcels of land.
The flared shape of wetland trees in standing water is called “buttressing” and is a hydrologic indicator of wetland habitats. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
After initial analysis comes the ground-truthing. To truly evaluate a wetland’s boundaries, it’s necessary to go onsite and walk the whole area. The easiest way to corroborate those first guesses at a wetland boundary is to start looking at the vegetation. There are hundreds of groundcover, shrub, and tree types recognized as wetland species. If these dominate the landscape, odds are you’re in a wetland. Other signs of water, known as “hydrological indicators,” like buttressed trunks, crayfish mounds, or water lines yield clues about water’s presence. Sometimes, an area will have been cleared of vegetation before its proper evaluation, which are why understanding soils is so important.
Sean O’Toole, wetlands consultant, describes how he examines soils during a wetland evaluation. On the ground is a Munsell soil color chart. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
To evaluate soils, wetland consultants use a soil probe or a long spade that will allow them to remove a sample of soil and evaluate its color and texture. In general, wetland soils are darker and slicker than others, although a handful of other indicators can show wetland properties in relatively sandy soil. Soil color can be compared on a Munsell color chart, which is like comparing wetland-associated paint chips.
Once a stretch of land is identified as a wetland, consultants will generally mark it physically by tying plastic tape around trees, outlining the entire parcel to differentiate it between adjacent uplands. From there, a digital GPS-based map is created that can be easily translated into construction plans and permits.

Wetlands are beautiful, important, and valuable components of our ecosystems. But for a long time, they were considered little more than insect-riddled cesspools, places devoid of worth. While not everyone fully appreciates wetlands’ many contributions to human and planetary health, state and federal laws do outline protection for these fragile systems that surround us. But […]

Weekly “What is it?”: Wetland delineation

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