Difference between revisions of "California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM)"
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CRAM has been adopted in California because it is consistent, scientifically defensible, and affordable.<ref name="manual">California Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands User’s Manual Version 6.1 https://www.cramwetlands.org/sites/default/files/2013-04-22_CRAM_manual_6.1%20all.pdf</ref> There are several public and private fund investments aimed at the protection, restoration, and management of California wetlands, but the impact of these investments are difficult to evaluate because there are often inconsistencies in data collections and quality control.<ref name="manual"/> With CRAM, wetland health can be compared and monitored under consistent conditions. Additionally, the results of the monitoring are hosted on the EcoAtlas website, making records of CRAM data available to analysts and decision makers.<ref name="ecoatlas">About EcoAtlas https://www.ecoatlas.org/about/</ref><ref name="about"/> | CRAM has been adopted in California because it is consistent, scientifically defensible, and affordable.<ref name="manual">California Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands User’s Manual Version 6.1 https://www.cramwetlands.org/sites/default/files/2013-04-22_CRAM_manual_6.1%20all.pdf</ref> There are several public and private fund investments aimed at the protection, restoration, and management of California wetlands, but the impact of these investments are difficult to evaluate because there are often inconsistencies in data collections and quality control.<ref name="manual"/> With CRAM, wetland health can be compared and monitored under consistent conditions. Additionally, the results of the monitoring are hosted on the EcoAtlas website, making records of CRAM data available to analysts and decision makers.<ref name="ecoatlas">About EcoAtlas https://www.ecoatlas.org/about/</ref><ref name="about"/> | ||
| − | ==CRAM | + | ==CRAM Procedure== |
| − | + | There are eight steps to use CRAM. | |
| + | ===Step 1: Assemble Background Information=== | ||
| + | Background information that is helpful for aiding CRAM assessments are: management objectives, history, known or expected stressors, and general ecological character of the wetland.<ref name="manual"/> Useful sources of background information include: [[USGS]] topographic quadrangles, National Wetlands Inventory (NWI), State | ||
| + | Wetlands Inventory, road maps, maps of geology/soils/vegetation/land use, aerial imagery, data from the [[California Natural Diversity Database]] (CNDDB), and reports from water districts, flood control districts, open space districts, federal, state, and local agencies such as [[Special districts in the Monterey Region]].<ref name="manual"/> | ||
| + | ===Step 2: Classify the Wetland=== | ||
| + | [[file:CRAM.png|thumb|600px|right|Flow chart to determine which wetland module and sub-type is appropriate for CRAM.<ref name="flowchart">California Rapid Assessment Method Flowchart https://www.cramwetlands.org/sites/default/files/UPDATED%20CRAM%20Flowchart_July2016.pdf</ref>]] | ||
To make CRAM applicable to virtually all of California's diverse range of wetlands, modules or types were created.<ref name="manual"/> There are six major types, four of which have sub-types.<ref name="manual"/> | To make CRAM applicable to virtually all of California's diverse range of wetlands, modules or types were created.<ref name="manual"/> There are six major types, four of which have sub-types.<ref name="manual"/> | ||
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| − | + | Although wetland types can change over time, through either natural or anthropogenic causes, wetlands should be evaluated by their current type.<ref name="manual"/> Past or future changes should not be considered when identifying the CRAM type to use.<ref name="manual"/> If there is a change in wetland type, it will be documented in the stressor checklist portion of CRAM to identify if the wetland is being stressed by the conversion.<ref name="manual"/> | |
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Revision as of 12:14, 1 April 2020
A summary of one of the Technical Tools used in Environmental Science and Management within California's Central Coast Region created by ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.
Contents
Summary
California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM) is a standardized approach to monitor and assess the ecological conditions of wetlands California's wetland resources.[1][2] CRAM is represented as a single score that reflects the wetland's condition and stressors based on metrics of landscape and buffer condition, hydrology, biotic structure, and physical structure.[1]
CRAM was developed by a committee consisting of federal, state, and local agency personnel and scientists, NGO scientists, and consultants.[3] CRAM is considered "rapid" because it can take less than three hours for only two or three practitioners to asses a representative wetland area.[3]
Why use CRAM?
CRAM has been adopted in California because it is consistent, scientifically defensible, and affordable.[4] There are several public and private fund investments aimed at the protection, restoration, and management of California wetlands, but the impact of these investments are difficult to evaluate because there are often inconsistencies in data collections and quality control.[4] With CRAM, wetland health can be compared and monitored under consistent conditions. Additionally, the results of the monitoring are hosted on the EcoAtlas website, making records of CRAM data available to analysts and decision makers.[5][3]
CRAM Procedure
There are eight steps to use CRAM.
Step 1: Assemble Background Information
Background information that is helpful for aiding CRAM assessments are: management objectives, history, known or expected stressors, and general ecological character of the wetland.[4] Useful sources of background information include: USGS topographic quadrangles, National Wetlands Inventory (NWI), State Wetlands Inventory, road maps, maps of geology/soils/vegetation/land use, aerial imagery, data from the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), and reports from water districts, flood control districts, open space districts, federal, state, and local agencies such as Special districts in the Monterey Region.[4]
Step 2: Classify the Wetland
To make CRAM applicable to virtually all of California's diverse range of wetlands, modules or types were created.[4] There are six major types, four of which have sub-types.[4]
| CRAM Wetland Types | CRAM Sub-types |
|---|---|
| Riverine | Confined Riverine |
| Non-confined Riverine | |
| Depressional | Individual Vernal Pools |
| Vernal Pool Systems | |
| Depressional | |
| Playas | No sub-type |
| Estuarine | Perennial Saline Estuarine |
| Perennial Non-saline Estuarine | |
| Bar-Built Estuarine | |
| Lacustrine | No sub-type |
| Slope | Seeps and Springs |
| Forested Slope | |
| Wet Meadows |
Although wetland types can change over time, through either natural or anthropogenic causes, wetlands should be evaluated by their current type.[4] Past or future changes should not be considered when identifying the CRAM type to use.[4] If there is a change in wetland type, it will be documented in the stressor checklist portion of CRAM to identify if the wetland is being stressed by the conversion.[4]
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 California Creates Rapid Assessment Method for Wetland Protection https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/california-creates-rapid-assessment-method-wetland-protection
- ↑ California Rapid Assessment Method Website https://www.cramwetlands.org/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 About California Rapid Assessment Method https://www.cramwetlands.org/about
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 California Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands User’s Manual Version 6.1 https://www.cramwetlands.org/sites/default/files/2013-04-22_CRAM_manual_6.1%20all.pdf
- ↑ About EcoAtlas https://www.ecoatlas.org/about/
- ↑ California Rapid Assessment Method Flowchart https://www.cramwetlands.org/sites/default/files/UPDATED%20CRAM%20Flowchart_July2016.pdf
Disclaimer
This page may contain students' work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students...
