Other Data Collected We also collected associated physical and chemical data on each wetland, including pH, alkalinity, conductivity, color, temperature, clarity, and depth. Riparian cover type within a 100-foot buffer area surrounding each wetland was subjectively estimated and recorded, as well as shade canopy cover. A total of 69 community attributes were evaluated. The WWMI is composed of 12 abundance metrics, two richness metrics, and one percentage metric. Abundance metrics include mollusks, annelids, fairy shrimp, damselflies, pigmy backswimmers, water boatmen, limnephild caddisflies, total caddisflies, phantom midges, mosquitoes, soldier flies, and total invertebrates.
Richness metrics are noninsects, and total taxa.
The percent caddisflies is the only percentage metric. The WWMI is used to rate, rank, or compare wetland biological condition. The ninth percentage metric, mollusks, may be only useful in prairie-type wetlands. The 100-Count MBI is intended to be applied in the field by experienced staff as a means of rapid bioassessment. The only percentage based metric, floating-leafed plants, would likewise only be applied to wetlands with water durations exceeding seven months.