Using Aerial Photographs to Assess Proper Functioning Condition of Riparian-Wetland Areas

BLM Technical Reference 1737-12 

Two standard checklists have been developed to assess condition of riparian-wetland areas. One checklist is designed for lotic riparian-wetland areas, and can be found in Technical Reference (TR) 1737-9, Process for Assessing Proper Functioning Condition (Prichard et al., 1993). The other checklist is designed for lentic riparian wetland areas, and can be found in TR 1737-11, Process for Assessing Proper Functioning Condition for Lentic Riparian-Wetland Areas (Prichard et al., 1994). The use of aerial photos and other remote sensing techniques can assist in this process by establishing baseline data and saving time and money.

The purpose of this document is to provide a procedure for using aerial photography to answer PFC checklist items. This document supplements the above technical references, as well as TR 1737-10, The Use of Aerial Photography to Manage Riparian-Wetland Areas (Clemmer, 1994); TR 1737-15, A User Guide to Assessing Proper Functioning Condition and the Supporting Science for Lotic Areas (Prichard et al., 1998); and TR 1737-16, A User Guide to Assessing Proper Functioning Condition and the Supporting Science for Lentic Areas (Prichard et al., to be published in 1999).