Monitoring Created Wetlands at Lake Naconiche, Nacogdoches, Texas

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the creation of wetlands around Lake Naconiche and establish a benchmark of vegetation composition and condition for future comparison. Shallow groundwater monitoring wells were utilized to project that approximately 188 acres of land adjacent to the lake would be converted into wetlands. Vegetation monitoring revealed that the majority of species were well adapted to saturated conditions. Vegetation analysis also revealed that elevation does not have an observable influence on species composition. Evaluating Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values showed no difference in vegetation condition along an elevation gradient. It is expected that vegetation closer to the shoreline will eventually show signs of stress due to prolonged periods of saturation and that species that are more tolerant of seasonal flooding will replace the existing species.