Wetlands are dynamic ecosystems at the interface of land and water.

They provide essential ecosystem services including water purification, food production, and climate regulation. In the U.S., state and federal governments regulate wetland use and development.

Skilled professionals are employed to assess various aspects of wetlands for permitting, management, and restoration purposes.

Students in this course learn to measure physical, chemical, and biotic variables in wetland ecosystems. This course takes advantage of the diverse types of wetlands in the Lake Champlain and Adirondack Region, giving students hands-on experience identifying wetland plants and animals and measuring hydrological, geochemical, and ecological processes. The course teaches current techniques used to delineate wetland boundaries, assess the value of wetland ecosystems to human communities, and manage wetlands for multiple uses. Students discuss contemporary issues and primary literature on wetlands, collect and analyze wetland field data, and communicate management-relevant research in multiple presentation formats.