{ "name": "Wetland Plant Indicator Status Reference (USACE National Wetland Plant List)", "description": "Indicator statuses for a curated sample of 38 commonly encountered wetland delineation species from the 2022 NWPL (version 3.6), with region-specific statuses where they differ. The JSON download also includes the indicator-status definitions, the three hydrophytic-vegetation tests and the 10 USACE wetland regions.", "url": "https://www.fieldtap.app/wetland-plant-indicator-status", "publisher": "FieldTap", "publisher_url": "https://www.fieldtap.app", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "license_note": "The National Wetland Plant List is a U.S. Government work. The CC BY 4.0 license covers FieldTap's selection, notes and compilation.", "attribution": "Indicator statuses from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, administered with EPA, USFWS and USDA-NRCS. Compiled by FieldTap (https://www.fieldtap.app).", "last_updated": "2026-06-10", "methodology": "Statuses come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2022 NWPL (version 3.6), legally effective February 13, 2024. The species list is a curated sample of common delineation plants, not the full NWPL. Rows with verified = false should be confirmed in the official NWPL tool. Statuses are region-specific; regional_statuses lists known differences. Test definitions summarize the 1987 Corps Wetlands Delineation Manual and the Regional Supplements. For any jurisdictional determination, use the official NWPL tool for the applicable Corps region.", "sources": [ { "name": "USACE National Wetland Plant List, 2022 NWPL (version 3.6)", "url": "https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/" }, { "name": "Federal Register notice, National Wetland Plant List (Feb 13, 2024)", "url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/13/2024-02903/national-wetland-plant-list" }, { "name": "USACE Regional Supplements", "url": "https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/reg_supp/" } ], "columns": [ { "key": "scientific_name", "label": "Scientific name" }, { "key": "common_name", "label": "Common name" }, { "key": "status", "label": "Status" }, { "key": "regional_statuses", "label": "Regional statuses" }, { "key": "verified", "label": "Verified" }, { "key": "note", "label": "Note" } ], "rows": [ { "scientific_name": "Typha latifolia", "common_name": "Broadleaf cattail", "status": "OBL", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Taxodium distichum", "common_name": "Bald cypress", "status": "OBL", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Cephalanthus occidentalis", "common_name": "Common buttonbush", "status": "OBL", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Nymphaea odorata", "common_name": "American white waterlily", "status": "OBL", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Sagittaria latifolia", "common_name": "Broadleaf arrowhead / duck potato", "status": "OBL", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani", "common_name": "Softstem bulrush", "status": "OBL", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Peltandra virginica", "common_name": "Green arrow arum", "status": "OBL", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Eleocharis palustris", "common_name": "Common spikerush", "status": "OBL", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Spartina alterniflora", "common_name": "Smooth cordgrass", "status": "OBL", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Carex stricta", "common_name": "Upright / tussock sedge", "status": "OBL", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Toxicodendron vernix", "common_name": "Poison sumac", "status": "OBL", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "Despite being a sumac, poison sumac is an OBL wetland species — a common field surprise." }, { "scientific_name": "Acer saccharinum", "common_name": "Silver maple", "status": "FACW", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Salix nigra", "common_name": "Black willow", "status": "FACW", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "Legacy lists may show 'FACW+'; the +/- modifiers were discontinued in the 2012 NWPL." }, { "scientific_name": "Fraxinus pennsylvanica", "common_name": "Green ash", "status": "FACW", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Cornus sericea", "common_name": "Red-osier dogwood", "status": "FACW", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Impatiens capensis", "common_name": "Jewelweed / spotted touch-me-not", "status": "FACW", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Onoclea sensibilis", "common_name": "Sensitive fern", "status": "FACW", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Phragmites australis", "common_name": "Common reed", "status": "FACW", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Platanus occidentalis", "common_name": "American sycamore", "status": "FACW", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Betula nigra", "common_name": "River birch", "status": "FACW", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Juncus effusus", "common_name": "Common / soft rush", "status": "FACW", "regional_statuses": "NCNE: FACW; AGCP: FACW; WMVC: FACW", "verified": true, "note": "Commonly FACW; confirm by region — subregional ratings exist." }, { "scientific_name": "Quercus michauxii", "common_name": "Swamp chestnut oak", "status": "FACW", "regional_statuses": "AGCP (Western Gulf Coastal Plain subregion): FAC; AGCP (rest of region): FACW", "verified": true, "note": "Documented region-dependent example: FAC in the Western Gulf Coastal Plain subregion, FACW elsewhere in AGCP (2022 NWPL)." }, { "scientific_name": "Acer rubrum", "common_name": "Red maple", "status": "FAC", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "Classic FAC species; rating is consistent across most eastern regions." }, { "scientific_name": "Liquidambar styraciflua", "common_name": "Sweetgum", "status": "FAC", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Toxicodendron radicans", "common_name": "Eastern poison ivy", "status": "FAC", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Nyssa sylvatica", "common_name": "Black gum / black tupelo", "status": "FAC", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "Often cited as FAC nationally; can rate FACW in some regions — verify by region." }, { "scientific_name": "Acer negundo", "common_name": "Boxelder", "status": "FAC", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "Often FAC; some regions place it nearer FACU — verify by region." }, { "scientific_name": "Pinus taeda", "common_name": "Loblolly pine", "status": "FAC", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": false, "note": "Frequently FAC in southeastern regions but the rating varies — verify by region in the official tool." }, { "scientific_name": "Quercus rubra", "common_name": "Northern red oak", "status": "FACU", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Rubus allegheniensis", "common_name": "Allegheny blackberry", "status": "FACU", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Pinus strobus", "common_name": "Eastern white pine", "status": "FACU", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Solidago canadensis", "common_name": "Canada goldenrod", "status": "FACU", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Parthenocissus quinquefolia", "common_name": "Virginia creeper", "status": "FACU", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Quercus alba", "common_name": "White oak", "status": "FACU", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Robinia pseudoacacia", "common_name": "Black locust", "status": "FACU", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": true, "note": "" }, { "scientific_name": "Pinus echinata", "common_name": "Shortleaf pine", "status": "FACU", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": false, "note": "Often FACU/UPL depending on region — verify; included to illustrate the dry end." }, { "scientific_name": "Vaccinium arboreum", "common_name": "Farkleberry / sparkleberry", "status": "UPL", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": false, "note": "Typically a dry-site species; verify the exact UPL/FACU rating by region." }, { "scientific_name": "Pinus virginiana", "common_name": "Virginia pine", "status": "UPL", "regional_statuses": "", "verified": false, "note": "Generally an upland pine; confirm UPL vs. unlisted by region." } ], "indicator_categories": [ { "code": "OBL", "name": "Obligate Wetland", "definition": "Almost always occur in wetlands.", "classicProbabilityGloss": "Estimated probability >99% occurrence in wetlands under natural conditions.", "isHydrophyte": true, "active": true }, { "code": "FACW", "name": "Facultative Wetland", "definition": "Usually occur in wetlands, but may occur in non-wetlands.", "classicProbabilityGloss": "Usually occurs in wetlands (est. probability 67–99%), occasionally in non-wetlands.", "isHydrophyte": true, "active": true }, { "code": "FAC", "name": "Facultative", "definition": "Occur in wetlands and non-wetlands.", "classicProbabilityGloss": "Equally likely in wetlands and non-wetlands (est. probability 34–66%).", "isHydrophyte": true, "active": true }, { "code": "FACU", "name": "Facultative Upland", "definition": "Usually occur in non-wetlands, but may occur in wetlands.", "classicProbabilityGloss": "Usually occurs in non-wetlands (est. probability 67–99%), occasionally in wetlands.", "isHydrophyte": false, "active": true }, { "code": "UPL", "name": "Upland", "definition": "Almost never occur in wetlands.", "classicProbabilityGloss": "Almost always occurs in non-wetlands (est. probability >99%).", "isHydrophyte": false, "active": true }, { "code": "NI", "name": "No Indicator (historical)", "definition": "Formerly assigned when insufficient information existed to determine a status. Removed in the 2012 NWPL update.", "classicProbabilityGloss": null, "isHydrophyte": false, "active": false }, { "code": "NA", "name": "No Agreement (historical)", "definition": "Formerly assigned when regional panels could not agree on a status. Removed in the 2012 NWPL update.", "classicProbabilityGloss": null, "isHydrophyte": false, "active": false } ], "hydrophytic_tests": [ { "order": 1, "name": "Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation", "rule": "Vegetation is hydrophytic if all dominant species across all strata are rated OBL or FACW (and clearly so on inspection). A quick screen — when it clearly passes, the Dominance Test and Prevalence Index need not be calculated.", "threshold": "All dominants OBL or FACW." }, { "order": 2, "name": "Dominance Test", "rule": "Vegetation is hydrophytic if more than 50% of the dominant plant species (across all strata combined) are rated OBL, FACW, or FAC. Dominant species are selected within each stratum by the 50/20 rule.", "threshold": ">50% of dominants are OBL, FACW, or FAC.", "dominantSelection": "50/20 Rule: Within each stratum, rank species by absolute percent cover (descending). Dominants are the most abundant species that cumulatively account for more than 50% of total cover in that stratum, plus any additional species that individually account for at least 20% of total cover in that stratum." }, { "order": 3, "name": "Prevalence Index", "rule": "Vegetation is hydrophytic if the Prevalence Index — a cover-weighted average of all species' indicator statuses across all strata — is 3.0 or less.", "threshold": "Prevalence Index ≤ 3.0.", "formula": "PI = (1·A_OBL + 2·A_FACW + 3·A_FAC + 4·A_FACU + 5·A_UPL) / (A_OBL + A_FACW + A_FAC + A_FACU + A_UPL), where A_x = summed absolute percent cover of all species in status x. Weights: OBL=1, FACW=2, FAC=3, FACU=4, UPL=5." } ], "regions": [ { "code": "NCNE", "name": "Northcentral and Northeast", "coverage": "Northeastern and north-central U.S. — New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Great Lakes states north/east of the Midwest region.", "supplementTitle": "Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Northcentral and Northeast Region (Version 2.0)", "technicalReport": "ERDC/EL TR-12-1", "url": "https://erdc-library.erdc.dren.mil/jspui/handle/11681/10107" }, { "code": "EMP", "name": "Eastern Mountains and Piedmont", "coverage": "Appalachian Mountains and Piedmont — from the Northeast south through the interior Carolinas and Georgia.", "supplementTitle": "Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region (Version 2.0)", "technicalReport": "ERDC/EL TR-12-9", "url": "https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/reg_supp/" }, { "code": "AGCP", "name": "Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain", "coverage": "Atlantic and Gulf coastal plain — Eastern Seaboard lowlands and the Gulf Coast (incl. the Western Gulf Coastal Plain subregion).", "supplementTitle": "Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Region (Version 2.0)", "technicalReport": "ERDC/EL TR-10-20", "url": "https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/reg_supp/" }, { "code": "MW", "name": "Midwest", "coverage": "Upper Midwest and Corn Belt — Ohio Valley and Great Lakes interior states.", "supplementTitle": "Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Midwest Region (Version 2.0)", "technicalReport": "ERDC/EL TR-10-16", "url": "https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/reg_supp/" }, { "code": "GP", "name": "Great Plains", "coverage": "Great Plains — the Dakotas south through the Texas panhandle; prairie pothole and plains country.", "supplementTitle": "Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Great Plains Region (Version 2.0)", "technicalReport": "ERDC/EL TR-10-1", "url": "https://erdc-library.erdc.dren.mil/jspui/handle/11681/8814" }, { "code": "AW", "name": "Arid West", "coverage": "Arid and semi-arid Southwest and intermountain West — deserts and dry basins.", "supplementTitle": "Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region (Version 2.0)", "technicalReport": "ERDC/EL TR-08-28", "url": "https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/reg_supp/" }, { "code": "WMVC", "name": "Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast", "coverage": "Pacific Coast states and western mountain ranges — Cascades, Sierra Nevada, Pacific Northwest, and coastal California.", "supplementTitle": "Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (Version 2.0)", "technicalReport": "ERDC/EL TR-10-3", "url": "https://erdc-library.erdc.dren.mil/jspui/handle/11681/6883" }, { "code": "AK", "name": "Alaska", "coverage": "State of Alaska.", "supplementTitle": "Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Alaska Region (Version 2.0)", "technicalReport": "ERDC/EL TR-07-24", "url": "https://erdc-library.erdc.dren.mil/jspui/handle/11681/8807" }, { "code": "HI", "name": "Hawaii and Pacific Islands", "coverage": "State of Hawaiʻi, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.", "supplementTitle": "Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands Region (Version 2.0)", "technicalReport": "ERDC/EL TR-13-3", "url": "https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/reg_supp/" }, { "code": "CB", "name": "Caribbean Islands", "coverage": "Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.", "supplementTitle": "Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Caribbean Islands Region (Version 2.0)", "technicalReport": "ERDC/EL TR-11-4", "url": "https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/reg_supp/" } ] }