Title: Level 2
1Level 2 California Rapid Assessment Method
CRAM
2Purpose
Provide timely, standardized, inexpensive
assessments of wetland and riparian condition
3Geographic Scope All wetlands of all types in
California
lacustrine, estuarine, coastal lagoon, riverine
and riparian, depressional, vernal pools, playas,
seeps and springs
Initial focus is on coastal watersheds
4What is CRAM?
- Expert walk and talk diagnostic tool
- A standard set of questions with mutually
exclusive multiple choice answers for each
wetland class - Less than 4 hrs of field time per assessment for
2-3 person team - Required expertise comparable to jurisdictional
delineation
5Attributes of Condition, which have
Hierarchy of CRAM Structure
Same for all Wetlands Classes
Wetland Sites, have one or more
Assessment Areas, for which there are
Metrics, which have
Vary among Wetland Classes
Alternative States, which have
Scores (relative to best achievable)
6Four CRAM Attributes
Wetland Condition
Landscape Context
Hydrology
Physical Structure
Biotic Structure
7CRAM Attributes Metrics
Wetland Condition
Landscape Context
Hydrology
Physical Structure
Biotic Structure
Landscape Connectivity
Buffer
8CRAM Attributes Metrics
Wetland Condition
Buffer
Hydrology
Physical Structure
Biotic Structure
Water Source
Hydroperiod
Hydrologic Connectivity
9CRAM Attributes Metrics
Wetland Condition
Buffer
Hydrology
Physical Structure
Biotic Structure
Structural Patch Richness
Topographic Complexity
10CRAM Attributes Metrics
Wetland Condition
Buffer
Hydrology
Physical Structure
Biotic Structure
Organic Matter Accumulation
Interspersion Zonation
Plant Comm. Composition
Vertical Biotic Structure
11Stressors are Identified
Wetland Condition
Landscape Context
Hydrology
Physical Structure
Biotic Structure
Stressor Checklist
12Reference Concepts
Metrics are scored relative to the best
achievable condition, which is standardized
throughout the state for each wetland class.
A network of low to high scoring reference sites
is needed for each wetland class in each region.
13Next Steps
CRAM 4.3 and CRAM IT for 2007 will include
adjustments based on 2006 field experience.
14Wetland Tracker
15Wetland Tracker
- Information system for wetlands and riparian
habitat - Methodology
- Field software
- Website
16Goals
- Track net change in extent and condition of
habitat - Enhance stewardship of habitat
17Geographic Scope
Designed for all of CaliforniaData available
for San Francisco Bay (Region 2) baylands
Limited data available for Central Coast
(Region 3), Morro Bay regionData collection
Southern California Coast
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20Information in Tracker
- Maps of current and historical wetlands
- Inventory of wetland projects
- Selected wetland condition (CRAM)
21Information in Tracker
- Maps of current and historical wetland
- Inventory of wetland projects
- Selected wetland condition (CRAM)
22Wetland Project Inventory
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25Wetland Project Inventory
- List of projects
- Map of projects
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27Wetland Project Inventory
- List of projects
- Map of projects
- Project information
28- Status Planned, In-progress, completed
- Details Size, planned habitat, contacts, events,
etc. - File library permit documents, project maps,
performance criteria, monitoring reports
29- Status Planned, In-progress, completed
- Details Size, planned habitat, contacts, events,
etc. - File library permit documents, project maps,
performance criteria, monitoring reports
30Wetland Project Inventory
- List of projects
- Map of projects
- Project information
- Summary reports
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33Information Flow
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35Information in Tracker
- Maps of current and historical wetland habitats
- Inventory of permitted wetland projects
- Selected wetland condition (CRAM results)
36Information in Tracker
- Maps of current and historical wetland habitats
- Inventory of permitted wetland projects
- Selected wetland condition (CRAM results)
37Measuring Condition
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39Measuring Condition
40Measuring Condition
41Viewing Condition
42Viewing Condition
43Viewing Condition
44Viewing Condition
45Viewing Condition
46Discussion
Tracking net change is not the job of any
particular agency, department, or program
Tracking net change
47Discussion
Tracking tools must provide a net benefit to
existing programs, which in turn can help track
net change
48Discussion
Example Track 401 projects in ways helpful to
the Water Boards. Tracking net change can be
accomplished as a byproduct of 401 permitting.
49Discussion
What other programs might benefit from helping
to track net change?
50Discussion
Project tracking priorities
51Discussion
- Priority 1 401 projects
- Priority 2 CDFG 1600 projects, State Refuges and
Parks - Other Priority 2 Federal 404 projects, Grant
Projects (e.g., habitat projects funded through
Consolidated State Grants, Proposition 84, 319h,
etc).
52www.iep.water.ca.gov