Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Wetland Delineation Fundamentals

Seize the savings! Get 40% off 3 months of Coursera Plus and full access to thousands of courses.

Wetland Delineation Fundamentals

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: Caitlin Bloomer, Ph.D.

Included with

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Recall the steps involved in wetland delineation and the resources available for remote identification.
Explain the importance of hydric soils and hydrophytic vegetation in wetland delineation, and describe the field indicators used in these components.
Apply your knowledge to identify and assess field indicators for hydrology, hydric soils, and vegetation in real-world wetland environments.
Develop wetland delineation reports, incorporating best practices and addressing problematic situations.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Geographic Information Systems

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is available as part of

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

In this course, learners will get familiarized with the major components of wetland delineation, including the steps involved and the resources available for remote identification. They will explore the field indicators for hydrology, hydric soils, and vegetation, essential for accurate wetland delineation. The course will cover the best practices for writing wetland delineation reports and the differences between wetland delineation and jurisdictional determination. By the end of the course, learners will have a comprehensive understanding of the processes and indicators used in wetland delineation, enabling them to conduct accurate and effective assessments.

This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the graduate-level certificate, "Wetland Science and Conservation" that can be stacked toward an online master's degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. To learn more about online programs from the College of ACES and explore ways to apply your Coursera work toward a degree program at the University of Illinois, visit ACES Online at acesonline.illinois.edu.

In the course orientation, you will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course. Then dive into the second part of this module where you will learn the essential steps involved in wetland delineation, discover resources for locating wetlands remotely, and understand the key field indicators of hydrology in wetlands.

What's included

20 videos4 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

20 videos Total 59 minutes

Course Overview 1 minute
Meet Your Instructor | Caitlin Bloomer 1 minute
Module 1 | Overview 2 minutes
What is wetland delineation? 3 minutes
Defining a Wetland for Delineation 4 minutes
Conducting a Wetland Delineation 5 minutes
Overview of Locating Wetlands 1 minute
Using Aerial Imagery and Satellite Data 4 minutes
Synthetic Aperture Radar 3 minutes
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Wetland Mapping 4 minutes
Interpreting National Wetland Inventory (NWI) Data 3 minutes
Soil Surveys for Wetland Mapping 2 minutes
Using LiDAR for Wetland Detection 3 minutes
Citizen Science and Crowdsourced Data 2 minutes
Limitations of Remote Wetland Identification 3 minutes
Overview of Hydrology Field Indicators 2 minutes
Primary Hydrology Indicators 4 minutes
Secondary Hydrology Indicators 3 minutes
Seasonal Variability and Hydrology 5 minutes
Module 1 | Wrap- up 2 minutes

4 readings Total 35 minutes

Course Guide 5 minutes
Updating Your Profile 10 minutes
Course Glossary 10 minutes
Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 40 minutes

Orientation Quiz 10 minutes
Module 1 | Knowledge Check 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates 10 minutes

In this module, you will explore the importance of assessing hydric soils for wetland delineation, learn about the field indicators used for all hydric soils, and delve into specific indicators for sandy or loamy soils. By completing this module, you will gain the skills to identify and evaluate hydric soils, which are crucial for accurate wetland delineation.

What's included

12 videos3 readings1 assignment4 plugins

12 videos Total 66 minutes

Module 2 | Overview 1 minute
Overview of Hydric Soils and Their Role in Wetland Delineation 5 minutes
Preliminary Assessment of Hydric Soils Before On-Site Delineation 5 minutes
Field Sampling Protocol for On-Site Delineation 5 minutes
Overview of Hydric Soil Indicators 5 minutes
Characterizing Soil for Wetland Delineation 9 minutes
Indicators for the Accumulation of Organic Matter 8 minutes
Indicators for Redox Depletions 6 minutes
Indicators for Redox Concentrations 6 minutes
Sandy Soil Indicators 6 minutes
Loamy Soil Indicators 8 minutes
Module 2 | Wrap-up 3 minutes

3 readings Total 70 minutes

Course Glossary 10 minutes
Resources for Hydric Soil Indicators 20 minutes
Resources for Preliminary Soil Assessment 40 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 2 | Knowledge Check 30 minutes

4 plugins Total 8 minutes

Marsh Wetland Soil Sample & Squeeze Test 2 minutes
Fen Wetland Soil Sample & Squeeze Test 2 minutes
Bog Wetland Soil Sample & Squeeze Test 2 minutes
Swamp Wetland Soil Sample & Squeeze Test 2 minutes

In this module, you will understand the role of vegetation in wetland delineation, identify field indicators for hydrophytic vegetation, and learn about the sequential tests used to confirm hydrophytic vegetation. By the end of this module, you will be equipped to assess vegetation indicators effectively, ensuring comprehensive wetland delineation.

What's included

15 videos2 readings1 assignment

15 videos Total 54 minutes

Module 3 | Overview 2 minutes
What is a wetland plant? 2 minutes
The Role of Plants in Wetland Ecosystems (1) 4 minutes
The Role of Plants in Wetland Ecosystems (2) 6 minutes
The Relationship Between Vegetation, Hydrology, & Soils 4 minutes
Iconic Wetland Plants 6 minutes
National Wetland Plant List 4 minutes
Using Plants to Identify Wetlands 4 minutes
The Seasonality of Wetland Plant Communities 3 minutes
Rapid Test 3 minutes
Dominance Test 3 minutes
Prevalence Test 4 minutes
Morphological Adaptations 4 minutes
Non-Vascular Plants 4 minutes
Module 3 | Wrap-up 2 minutes

2 readings Total 20 minutes

Course Glossary 10 minutes
Resources for Wetland Vegetation Indicators 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 3 | Knowledge Check 30 minutes

In this module, you will discuss best practices for writing comprehensive wetland delineation reports, learn how to describe and report problematic situations, and examine the differences between wetland delineation and jurisdictional determination. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!

What's included

11 videos4 readings2 assignments

11 videos Total 65 minutes

Module 4 | Overview 1 minute
Components of a Wetland Delineation Report 6 minutes
Best Practices in Wetland Delineation Reporting 7 minutes
Overview of Problematic Situations for Wetland Delineation 8 minutes
Problematic Situations for Hydrophytic Vegetation 9 minutes
Problematic Situations for Hydric Soils 10 minutes
Problematic Situations for Wetland Hydrology 6 minutes
Wetland Delineation Reporting of Problematic Situations 6 minutes
Brief Summary of Jurisdictional Wetland Determinations 6 minutes
Module 4 | Wrap-up 3 minutes
Course Summary 2 minutes

4 readings Total 60 minutes

Course Glossary 10 minutes
Resources for Wetland Delineation Reports 30 minutes
Celebrating Your Achievement & Looking Ahead 10 minutes
Getting Your Course Certificate 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 150 minutes

Module 4 | Knowledge Check 30 minutes
Final Assessment 120 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Caitlin Bloomer, Ph.D.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

5 Courses 959 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Explore more from Environmental Science and Sustainability

Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Discovering the Basics of Wetlands
Course
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Managing Wetlands: Conservation & Restoration
Course
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Mitigating the Human Impact on Wetlands
Course
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Wetland Science & Management: Fundamentals to Conservation
Specialization

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Learn more

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Explore degrees

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

Yes! Although completion of the Coursera course alone is not credit-bearing, it is a required component of a graduate-level Canvas course that can be "stacked" toward advanced credentials such as an academic (transcriptable) graduate certificate or a degree. If you decide to pursue further education, the credits you earn from this course can be applied toward a formal academic program, provided that you meet all the requirements of admission to the certificate or degree. Learn more about the Wetland Science and Conservation Graduate Certificate.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.