The Natural Communities dataset is a compilation of 48 publicly available State and federal agency datasets that map vegetation, wetlands, springs, and seeps in California. A working group comprised of DWR, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) reviewed the compiled dataset and conducted a screening process to exclude vegetation and wetland types less likely to be associated with groundwater and retain types commonly associated with groundwater, based on criteria described in Klausmeyer et al., 2018. Two habitat classes are included in the Natural Communities dataset: (1) wetland features commonly associated with the surface expression of groundwater under natural, unmodified conditions; and (2) vegetation types commonly associated with the sub-surface presence of groundwater (phreatophytes). The data included in the Natural Communities dataset do not represent DWRs determination of a GDE. However, the Natural Communities dataset can be used by GSAs as a starting point when approaching the task of identifying GDEs within a groundwater basin. **Reference** Klausmeyer, K., Howard J., Keeler-Wolf T., Davis-Fadtke K., Hull R., and Lyons A. (2018). Mapping Indicators of Groundwater dependent ecosystems in California

The Natural Communities dataset is a compilation of 48 publicly available State and federal agency datasets that map vegetation, wetlands, springs, and seeps in California. A working group comprised of DWR, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) reviewed the compiled dataset and conducted a screening process to exclude vegetation and wetland types less likely to be associated with groundwater and retain types commonly associated with groundwater, based on criteria described in Klausmeyer et al., 2018. Two habitat classes are included in the Natural Communities dataset: (1) wetland features commonly associated with the surface expression of groundwater under natural, unmodified conditions; and (2) vegetation types commonly associated with the sub-surface presence of groundwater (phreatophytes). The data included in the Natural Communities dataset do not represent DWRs determination of a GDE. However, the Natural Communities dataset can be used by GSAs as a starting point when approaching the task of identifying GDEs within a groundwater basin. **Reference** Klausmeyer, K., Howard J., Keeler-Wolf T., Davis-Fadtke K., Hull R., and Lyons A. (2018). Mapping Indicators of Groundwater dependent ecosystems in California

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), working in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, installed a groundwater and vegetation monitoring network in a proposed wetland area east of the Rio Grande near Bernardo, New Mexico on the NM Boys and Girls Ranch, at a site now known as the Blue Heron Wildlife Preserve (BHWP). In September of 2016, baseline vegetation data were collected across the BHWP to assess vegetation changes with time in the proposed wetland area as it is established and maintained. A second round of vegetation surveys were conducted in August of 2018 for comparative purposes. The collection of this data will support conservation and management decisions.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), working in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, installed a groundwater and vegetation monitoring network in a proposed wetland area east of the Rio Grande near Bernardo, New Mexico on the NM Boys and Girls Ranch, at a site now known as the Blue Heron Wildlife Preserve (BHWP). In September of 2016, baseline vegetation data were collected across the BHWP to assess vegetation changes with time in the proposed wetland area as it is established and maintained. A second round of vegetation surveys were conducted in August of 2018 for comparative purposes. The collection of this data will support conservation and management decisions.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), working in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, installed a groundwater and vegetation monitoring network in a proposed wetland area east of the Rio Grande near Bernardo, New Mexico on the NM Boys and Girls Ranch, at a site now known as the Blue Heron Wildlife Preserve (BHWP). In September of 2016, baseline vegetation data were collected across the BHWP to assess vegetation changes with time in the proposed wetland area as it is established and maintained. A second round of vegetation surveys were conducted in August of 2018 for comparative purposes. The collection of this data will support conservation and management decisions.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), working in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, installed a groundwater and vegetation monitoring network in a proposed wetland area east of the Rio Grande near Bernardo, New Mexico on the NM Boys and Girls Ranch, at a site now known as the Blue Heron Wildlife Preserve (BHWP). In September of 2016, baseline vegetation data were collected across the BHWP to assess vegetation changes with time in the proposed wetland area as it is established and maintained. A second round of vegetation surveys were conducted in August of 2018 for comparative purposes. The collection of this data will support conservation and management decisions.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), working in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, installed a groundwater and vegetation monitoring network in a proposed wetland area east of the Rio Grande near Bernardo, New Mexico on the NM Boys and Girls Ranch, at a site now known as the Blue Heron Wildlife Preserve (BHWP). In September of 2016, baseline vegetation data were collected across the BHWP to assess vegetation changes with time in the proposed wetland area as it is established and maintained. A second round of vegetation surveys were conducted in August of 2018 for comparative purposes. The collection of this data will support conservation and management decisions.

The Natural Communities Commonly Associated with Groundwater (NCCAG) dataset is a compilation of phreatophytic vegetation, regularly flooded natural wetlands and riverine areas, and springs and seeps extracted from 48 publicly available state and federal agency datasets. Two habitat classes are included in the dataset: wetland features commonly associated with the surface expression of groundwater under natural, unmodified conditions; and vegetation types commonly associated with the sub-surface presence of groundwater (phreatophytes). The NCCAG dataset began as an amalgamation of vegetation and wetland datasets with different scales, resolutions, attribute details, and classifications. A working group comprised of DWR, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) further reviewed the vegetation and wetland datasets and conducted a screening process to identify the vegetation and wetland types considered to be commonly associated with groundwater (Klausmeyer et al., 2018). The NCCAG dataset can be used as a starting point to investigate and identify groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) within a groundwater basin. Identifying GDEs requires detailed understanding of the land use, groundwater levels, hydrology, and geology of a location. This comprehensive understanding of geology, hydrology, and biology is not available at the statewide scale. Further investigation and verification of the connection and dependence between groundwater and mapped vegetation and wetlands at a local scale may be needed for water managers in sustainable groundwater management planning.

The consanguineous suites dataset is a wetlands data set that is derived from identifying related wetlands that occur within the same region, within the same setting, and have formed because of similar related factors. Formally Consanguineous Suites (DPAW-013)

The Natural Communities Commonly Associated with Groundwater (NCCAG) dataset is a compilation of phreatophytic vegetation, regularly flooded natural wetlands and riverine areas, and springs and seeps extracted from 48 publicly available state and federal agency datasets. Two habitat classes are included in the dataset: wetland features commonly associated with the surface expression of groundwater under natural, unmodified conditions; and vegetation types commonly associated with the sub-surface presence of groundwater (phreatophytes). The NCCAG dataset began as an amalgamation of vegetation and wetland datasets with different scales, resolutions, attribute details, and classifications. A working group comprised of DWR, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) further reviewed the vegetation and wetland datasets and conducted a screening process to identify the vegetation and wetland types considered to be commonly associated with groundwater (Klausmeyer et al., 2018). The NCCAG dataset can be used as a starting point to investigate and identify groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) within a groundwater basin. Identifying GDEs requires detailed understanding of the land use, groundwater levels, hydrology, and geology of a location. This comprehensive understanding of geology, hydrology, and biology is not available at the statewide scale. Further investigation and verification of the connection and dependence between groundwater and mapped vegetation and wetlands at a local scale may be needed for water managers in sustainable groundwater management planning.