Xeric Ecoregion - National Wetland Condition Assessment Results

• Key results
• Change from 2016

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Key Results

An estimated 5,506,026 acres of wetland in the Xeric ecoregion are represented in the National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA). 

The NWCA uses a number of indicators to assess the health of wetlands. 

• 11% of wetland area rated good for the vegetation indicator and 30% rated good for the nonnative plant indicator.  
• One of the most widespread stressors was the cumulative physical alterations indicator, with 84% of wetland area in the Xeric ecoregion rating poor. Vegetation replacement was the most widespread individual physical alterations indicator, with 73% of wetland area rated poor.
• Nutrients are an essential part of a wetland ecosystem, excess nutrients can be detrimental. The NWCA found that 5% of wetland area rated poor for nitrogen and 12% rated poor for phosphorus. Since many wetlands do not have surface water throughout the year, these indicators could not be assessed for 78% of wetland area.

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Change from 2016*

• The NWCA reports that the percent of wetland area rated good for the nonnative plant indicator increased by 12 percentage points. 
• Wetland area rating poor for nitrogen decreased by 4 percentage points between 2016 and 2021.