Hydrogeomorphic assessment assignment

Hydrogeomorphic Assessment of Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve
Sycamore Land Trust
You have been asked to evaluate the ecological functions of a prior converted
(formerly in agriculture) wetland by the Sycamore Land Trust (SLT).
Sycamore Land Trust is considering the creation of a wetland mitigation bank on
the property. The bank would sell mitigation credits to INDOT to replace wetlanddependent functions that will be lost due to activities associated with construction
of I-69. The proposed mitigation bank consists of a young aggrading forest that is
developing on an old field. A nearby forested wetland, also owned by SLT, is
available as a reference site.
Using the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) approach developed by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, your job is to quantify functions associated with hydrology,
biogeochemistry, plant habitat and animal habitat. Functions to assess consist of...
I.

Long-term surface water storage

II.

Nutrient cycling

III.

Maintain characteristic plant communities

IV.

Maintain spatial structure of habitat

How do you scale mitigation credits?
(Does 1 ha of mitigation bank wetland= 1 ha of "natural" wetland?)