Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol

Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol Final Report

As part of the 2021 B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Wetlands Workforce project, we are pleased to share the products and progress made on the Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol to support ecologically sound tools for conservation in BC.

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The Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol (WESP) model is a standardized method for assessing the function and value of the services provided by wetlands. This method has been used successfully in the United States and other Canadian provinces such as Alberta.  

The benefits of having a WESP model available in B.C. are numerous, including:   

• Rapid assessment of wetland ecosystem services for use by conservation organizations and decision makers in compensatory mitigation  
• Assessing effectiveness of wetland restoration and enhancement projects  
• Allowing for comparative assessments of wetlands to target conservation and restoration efforts 

One of the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s major aims for 2021 is to initiate the development of a WESP tool in several regions of British Columbia. The Wetlands Workforce Program will be assisting with this project throughout the year. 

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Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol Field Assessment Form

This form for completing the Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol (WESP) only includes the field assessment questions. This form does not include the corresponding office analysis and GIS calculations or regional model that must be completed to finish the assessment of a site. It is recommended that users complete training on this protocol with a qualified trainer before completing WESP independently, please contact BCWF for more information or to connect with a trainer. 

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For questions about the Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol, please contact Kyla Rushton at kyla.rushton@bcwf.bc.ca.

Learn More about our WESP Work