National Wetlands Inventory Analysis Examples

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) provides users with a robust and powerful dataset that is used to address questions and support decision-making in various fields of study. The tables below provide example applications using NWI data.

Habitat Assessment

NWI wetland and deepwater classifications provide critical information when determining existing or potential habitat for many species. This information is vital for developing wildlife habitat management and conservation and recovery plans through modeling and other procedures. NWI data have been used to estimate habitat accessibility in migration corridors, waterfowl populations, species recovery potential and more.

Watersheds and Water

Wetlands provide a multitude of ecologic and societal benefits. They not only provide habitat for fish and wildlife, but also reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, maintain stream flow and help improve water quality. Access to clean, abundant water supports opportunities for hunting, fishing and other types of recreation. Federal, state and local agencies use NWI data when assessing the health of their watersheds and water supply.

Species

An important role of the Service is to conserve fish and wildlife species to ensure sustainable populations for future generations. Species diversity is vital to the health and sustainability of ecosystems that in turn benefit local communities and economies. NWI data have been applied to various wetland dependent species assessment and recovery efforts.

Climate and Sea Level

NWI data are an important resource for the development of climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.

Learn more about climate change impact assessments, as well as adaptation and mitigation plans. Sea-level rise poses a risk to coastal communities and infrastructure, as well as many Service refuges. Precipitation changes also pose threats to our inland wetlands that could cause impacts to waterfowl and other wildlife populations, as well as agriculture, food security and biofuel development. Additionally, NWI data have been used to help quantify carbon sequestration rates and carbon balance in relation to ecosystem management and restoration actions.

Invasives

An invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species is any plant, or animal that is not native to a specific location and whose introduction to that site causes or is likely to cause harm. These species can have damaging effects on the environment, economy and human health. NWI data have been used to assess the susceptibility of certain ecosystems to invasive species and how those species may affect local populations.

Energy and Development

NWI data have been used to investigate site suitability for renewable and traditional energy projects. The data are not only used to help select potential sites, but also to help understand how these activities might affect local species and to help to mitigate those effects.

Maps

NWI data have been used in cartographic products to highlight the location of wetland habitats and resources for a variety of projects. Here are some examples of maps that use NWI data to communicate wetland information.

Programs