An evaluation of vegetation and wildlife communities in mitigation and natural wetlands of West Virginia

Vegetation, invertebrate, and wildlife communities within 11 mitigation wetlands were compared to communities existing in 4 naturally occurring natural wetlands. Vegetation species richness and diversity were higher in mitigation than natural wetlands. Overall invertebrate communities were similar between wetland types, although mitigation wetlands generally contained more abundant individual taxa than natural wetlands. Overall bird communities also were similar between wetland types. Waterbird and waterfowl abundance were higher in mitigation than natural wetlands. Frog species richness, Wisconsin index value, and abundance also were higher in mitigation than natural wetlands. Habitat Suitability Index scores for 8 wildlife species combined were similar between wetland types. Differences in vegetation and invertebrate community composition and structure likely contribute to differences in wildlife communities between wetland types. These data indicate that mitigation wetlands in West Virginia currently meet and exceed reference standards, although more time is needed for wetland stabilization.