Wetland Restoration Success Stories Presented by Arin C. Haverland

To restore or not to restore?…that is the question! In restoring wetlands we must ask: Restore to what? Restore to what? Is restoration of wetlands more important than existing wetlands? Is restoration of wetlands more important than existing wetlands? Is it advantageous? Is it advantageous? Help or Hinder biodiversity? Help or Hinder biodiversity? Will endangered species become more susceptible to invasive species? Will endangered species become more susceptible to invasive species? To what degree will habitats be destroyed in the process? To what degree will habitats be destroyed in the process?

Challenges in Wetland Restoration Complex, Costly & Controversial The term “wetland” is ambiguous Multiple agencies-NOAA, WFS. WWF, EPA, ACOE, NRCS Lack of records and ecologically mature restored wetlands, lack of understanding No immediate results, great uncertainty Difficult to mimic flood pulsing and disturbance regimes Actual boundaries are difficult to pinpoint

Planning Choosing a Project Site Setting Goals and Objectives (such as full or partial, active or passive restoration) Using Reference Sites Using Adaptive Management Publicizing the Project ImplementationMonitoring Necessary, but often an uphill battle!  Translating to Action  Securing Interest & Participation  Leadership  Outlasting Political Trends Challenges

Past, Present, and Future Restorations Design Theories are too linear Design Theories are too linear Adequately monitor during and after completion Adequately monitor during and after completion “A major problem for all restorationists is that they are attempting to recreate an ecosystem that is no longer present on the site and is known only from historical records”. (Allison 2002)

Green Oaks, Illinois A survey of the third oldest tallgrass prairie restoration in the Midwest demonstrates the difficulty in achieving a “Complete Restoration” (Allison 2003)

Methods and Results Agricultural Land Species Rich Tallgrass Prairie Original goal not achieved, but still SUCCESSFUL! from Original list MeadGreen OaksRemnant 71.4% Species Richness

More Good News… Continued Success in Europe! Meadows Ag Fens/Bogs Ag Grasslands Meadow (A. P. Grootjans and S. K. Verbeek 2002)

Modeling Success Used techniques from river valleys in Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands Success = Mineral Soils, Disturbance Dynamics, choose areas least affected by Drainage and Agriculture

 Flood pulsing and Disturbance Regime  Mowing, Rewetting and Sod Cutting Regimes were Manipulated & Monitored Yet another lovely response curve….

Finally…the take home message! Do not second guess nature! Do not second guess nature! Restoration is complex, often costly, and the results are uncertain. Restoration is complex, often costly, and the results are uncertain. Restoration is easier anf more successful then creation. Restoration is easier anf more successful then creation. As wetland functions are increasingly understood, restorations may be significantly more successful !!!!!!!!!!! As wetland functions are increasingly understood, restorations may be significantly more successful !!!!!!!!!!!