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Guidance Document Summary
| Classification of Natural Ponds and Lakes in the Glaciated Prairie Region |
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Stewart, R.E., and H.A. Kantrud. 1972. Classification of natural ponds and lakes in the glaciated prairie region. Resource Publication 92. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C.
Click here to access the reference online |
| Classification system |
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| No known related classification systems. |
Older publication. No contact available.
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| Ralph Tiner (09/07/04) |
| Document Content (brief statements used as search criteria) |
| Description of one classification scheme (e.g., Cowardin et al. 1979) |
| Not applicable |
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This system was developed to provide “a dynamic classification system that more precisely reflects seasonal, regional, and local variations in the environment.” The ponds and lakes (wetlands) are classified by conducting a field investigation and designating the class, subclass (if differentiated), and cover type. Categories for each are listed below. For example, a semipermanent pond (Class IV), moderately brackish (subclass C), with an interspersion of emergent cover and open water (cover type 2) would be designated as IV- C-2.
In some studies, including aerial surveys and rapid ground reconnaissance, it may not be feasible to identify wetland subclasses. In these cases, the classification may be limited to recognition of major classes or combinations of major classes and cover types.
This system also provides definitions for vegetation zones (i.e., wetland-low-prairie, wet-meadow, shallow-marsh, deep-marsh, permanent-open-water, intermittent-alkali, and fen (alkaline bog)). Phases of vegetation zones include: normal emergent, open-water, drawdown bare-soil, natural drawdown emergent, cropland drawdown, and crop tillage.
Classes:
Class I - ephemeral ponds
Class II - temporary ponds
Class III - seasonal ponds and lakes
Class IV - semipermanent ponds and lakes
Class V - permanent ponds and lakes
Class VI - alkali ponds and lakes
Class VII - fen (alkaline bog) ponds
Subclass:
A - Fresh
B - Slightly brackish
C - Moderately brackish
D - Brackish
E - Subsaline
F – Saline
Cover type (interspersion):
Cover type 1 - Closed stands; less than 5 percent of open water or bare soil.
Cover type 2 - Open water or bare soil 5 to 95 percent of the wetland area, with scattered dense patches or diffuse open stands of emergent cover. Closed stands of emergents, located in the central portion of a pond or lake and surrounded by open water along the shallow margins, are included in this cover type.
Cover type 3 - Central expanses of open water or bare soil
(comprising more than 5 percent of the wetland area) surrounded by peripheral bands of emergent cover averaging 6 feet or more in width.
Cover type 4 - More than 95 percent open water or bare soil.
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Class I - ephemeral ponds:
The wetland-low-prairie zone dominates the deepest part of the pond basin.
Class II - temporary ponds:
The wet-meadow zone dominates the deepest part of the wetland area. A peripheral low-prairie zone is usually present.
Class III -seasonal ponds and lakes:
The shallow-marsh zone dominates the deepest part of the wetland area. Peripheral wet-meadow and low-prairie zones are usually present.
Class IV - semipermanent ponds and lakes:
The deep-marsh zone dominates the deepest part of the wetland area. Shallow-marsh, wet-meadow, and low-prairie zones are usually present, and isolated marginal pockets of fen zones occasionally occur.
Class V - permanent ponds and lakes:
The permanent-open-water zone dominates the deepest part of the wetland area. Peripheral deep-marsh, shallow-marsh, wet-meadow, and low-prairie zones are often present, and isolated marginal pockets of fen zone occasionally occur.
Class VI - alkali ponds and lakes:
The intermittent-alkali zone dominates the deepest part of the wetland area. Peripheral shallow-marsh, wet-meadow, and low-prairie zones are usually present. A deep-marsh zone is normally absent except occasionally for isolated patches near marginal seepage areas. A few isolated pockets of fen zone are normally present along the margins.
Class VII - fen (alkaline bog) ponds:
The fen zone dominates the deepest part of the wetland area. Peripheral wet-meadow and low-prairie zones are often present.
Subclass:
Distinct subclasses may be recognized within several of the major classes of wetlands. Subclasses are based on differences in species composition of plant communities within wet-meadow, shallow-marsh, or deep-marsh zones that are correlated with variations in average salinity of surface water. Designated as Fresh, Slightly brackish, Moderately brackish, Brackish, Subsaline, and Saline.
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| To classify different types of ponds and lakes (wetlands) in the glaciated prairie region. |
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| This classification can and has been used for a variety of studies including field-based extensive surveys, rapid-assessment investigations, and remote sensing applications. (Note: Subclasses are not photointerpretable.) |
| Sample Data Sheet Availability |
Not available online.
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| Terrestrial | Riparian |
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| Not applicable | Not applicable | | Nontidal Wetland | Tidal Wetland |
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| Non-vegetated, Vegetated | Not applicable | | Nontidal Open Water | Tidal Open Water |
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| Standing water bodies (e.g., lakes, ponds & reservoirs) | Not applicable | | Other Habitats |
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| Submerged aquatic bed (non-tidal) |
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| No. This document is not designed to address several habitat types within a watershed context. |
| Wetlands (ponds and lakes) in glaciated prairie region. |
| Use of Classification for Describing Habitat Functions |
| Yes. |
| Not specified in the document; however, this classification would be useful for describing habitat functions. |
| The information provided by this classification can provide useful information regarding general habitat condition, especially if information is gathered about dominant plant species. It should be noted that the descriptions for class, subclass, and cover type have been used or modified for use in other classifications and assessment methods. For example, the illustration on cover types (interspersion) is commonly used to describe wildlife habitat functions in rapid assessment methods (e.g., Larson Method, Wetland Evaluation Technique, Evaluation for Planned Wetlands). |
| Glaciated prairie region of the United States including Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. |
| Midwest (AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI) |
| Method cannot be applied to areas outside where developed |
| General Categories Addressed |
| Habitat (e.g., habitat suitability, biological integrity) |
| n/a |
| No additional comments. |
| Author comments not available. |
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