National Wetlands Inventory facts for kids
The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is a special project started by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Its main goal is to find and map all the wetlands in the United States. This helps scientists and others learn about where wetlands are and what types they are. This information is super important for protecting these amazing natural areas.
To do this, the NWI created a special way to classify wetlands. This system is now the official way the FWS describes different kinds of wetlands. It's even the standard for the whole country!
What is the NWI?
The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) was set up to count and map all the wetlands across the U.S. Think of it like taking a giant picture of all the wet, marshy, and swampy places. This helps people understand where these important habitats are located.
The NWI uses trained experts to look at pictures taken from airplanes. These experts can identify and classify different types of wetlands and deep water areas. They use special rules to make sure everyone describes wetlands in the same way.
How NWI Maps Wetlands
When the NWI first started, they made maps on a small scale. This means one map covered a very large area, like 7,400 square miles! Over time, they started making much larger scale maps. These maps showed more detail for smaller areas.
As computers and mapping technology got better, the NWI stopped making paper maps. Now, you can find all their information online! They have a special "Wetlands Mapper" tool. This tool lets people view and download wetland data. Scientists and others can use this data for their own maps, studies, and reports.
Why Wetlands Mapping Matters
The way the NWI maps wetlands is now the official standard for the U.S. government. This means that if any federal project involves mapping wetlands, they must use the NWI's methods. This helps make sure all wetland data across the country is consistent. It also means the data can be easily shared and added to a national database.
The NWI also creates important reports about the status and trends of wetlands across the country. These reports are required by the United States Congress. They help lawmakers understand how wetlands are changing over time. This information is vital for making decisions about protecting our environment.
See also
In Spanish: Inventario nacional de humedales (Estados Unidos) para niños
