Development and Application of an Automated GIS Based Evaluation to Prioritize Wetland Restoration Opportunities

Recent geographic information system (GIS) mapping of Oregon’s tidal wetlands identified over 2,000 potential restoration areas. Given the large number of restoration opportunities, we developed automated GIS tools to assist resource managers in prioritizing areas with less hydrologic alteration and more favorable landscape scale metrics. The Coos estuary and watershed was used as an example of a regional application. We developed nine GIS tools using scripting techniques to prioritize among 530 potential restoration sites using widely available state-wide datasets. Parameters evaluated were limited to factors affecting a site’s hydroperiod at multiple scales and reflecting consideration of ecological principles. Tabular model output was used to prioritize potential restoration sites. Prioritization ranks were calculated using a three-tier weighted summation designated by Coos estuary restoration practitioners. Standardized ranks ranged from 0.479–1.000 on a zero to one scale. Higher ranks indicate more favorable landscape scale metrics and less cumulative hydrologic alteration. Model output, standardized parameter scores, and prioritized rankings of potential restoration sites were stored in a Microsoft Access database coupled with a geodatabase containing spatial geometry. These automated tools present repeatable and flexible methods for evaluation and prioritization of a large number potential restoration sites in Oregon.