Graduation Semester and Year
Spring 2026
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Landscape Architecture
Department
Landscape Architecture
First Advisor
Taner R. Ozdil, PhD, ASLA
Second Advisor
Ming-Han Li, PhD, AICP, PE, PLA, FCELA, FASLA
Third Advisor
Letora Anderson, PLA, AICP
Abstract
Wetlands rank among earth's most productive ecosystems, providing crucial ecological services such as hydrological regulation, water purification, and habitat support (US EPA, 2015). In Texas, however, rapid urbanization, inconsistent policy enforcement, and the absence of statewide protection frameworks of hastened wetland degradation (Brody & Kang, 2011). Without a robust state regulatory framework (Environmental Law Institute [ELI], 2020), these ecosystems face increasing threats from development and hydrological disturbances.
This thesis aims to identify regulatory and knowledge deficiencies that influence Texas’ current wetland protection status and to offer targeted professional recommendations for landscape architecture professionals to address these shortcomings in future public policy and legislation and professional practice. Following the supreme court's decision in Sackett versus United States Environmental Protection Agency (2023), which limited federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act, federally referred to as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments, to wetlands with continuous surface connection to navigable waters (Craig, 2023), countless ephemeral and geographically isolated wetlands, which are prevalent throughout Texas, have been stripped of federal protection.
This master thesis follows qualitative approach (Swaffield & Demming, 2011). Using a qualitative constructivist grounded theory approach, this research combines policy and legal analysis with semi structured interviews involving wetland ecologists, hydrologists, engineers, planners, and landscape architecture professionals (Charmaz, 2014; Yin, 2014; Kvale & Brinkmann, 2009).
The study identifies 3 core findings: first, persistent regulatory gaps emerge from diminished federal oversight; Second, notable knowledge gaps result from incomplete wetland inventories and inconsistent professional understanding (Dahl, 2011; Lemus & Bark, 2011); 3rd, landscape architecture professionals potential contributions to wetland governance and advocacy are underutilized (Thompson, 2012; Nassauer & Opdam, 2008).
The research concludes with recommendations detailing how landscape architecture professionals can harness their interdisciplinary expertise to address these gaps via policy advising, ecological planning, and design-based advocacy. Ultimately, this study positions them as essential agents in promoting resilient and adaptive wetland protection frameworks and post-Sackett Texas.
Keywords
Landscape architecture, Landscape architecture professional, Landscape architect, Wetlands, Ephemeral wetlands, Geographically isolated wetlands, Post-Sackett era
Disciplines
Environmental Design | Environmental Law | Landscape Architecture | Other Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Moy, Grace A., "Protecting Wetlands in the State of Texas: Assessing Gaps in Regulations, Knowledge, and Professional Roles and Responsibilities" (2026). Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses. 1.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/landscapearch_theses2/1
Included in
Environmental Design Commons, Environmental Law Commons, Landscape Architecture Commons, Other Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons