HGM Reference Standards and Wetland Restoration

The hydrogeomorphic (HGM) approach to wetland functional assessment has received considerable attention as a potential tool to enhance wetland resources inventories and mitigation practices. We conducted an investigation to develop preliminary HGM reference standards for low-order overbank flow dominated riverine wetlands in the Piedmont region of Georgia. The reference standards suggest specific wetland characteristics that should be more thoroughly investigated during the design and construction of mitigation wetlands in riverine settings in this region. It is anticipated that such consideration will ultimately lead to mitigation wetlands that are more capable of performing the natural ecosystem functions performed by the wetlands they are intended to replace.