Targets for ecological restoration Robert K. Peet University of North Carolina

1. Introduction Why me? I’m not a restoration ecologist.Why me? I’m not a restoration ecologist. Icon = “an object of uncritical devotion: especially a traditional belief or ideal”Icon = “an object of uncritical devotion: especially a traditional belief or ideal” My icon = a simple model for how to conduct ecological restoration.My icon = a simple model for how to conduct ecological restoration. My approach = A Carolina case studyMy approach = A Carolina case study Goal: ecological function & biodiversityGoal: ecological function & biodiversity

2. A methodological icon Document reference conditions Document reference conditions Derive restoration targets Derive restoration targets Design site-specific restoration plan Design site-specific restoration plan Implement the plan Implement the plan Monitor change and assess success Monitor change and assess success Employ adaptive management Employ adaptive management

3. Carolina Vegetation Survey Multi-institutional collaborative study to document and understand the natural vegetation of the Carolinas. Multi-institutional collaborative study to document and understand the natural vegetation of the Carolinas. High-quality, quantitative records of reference vegetation High-quality, quantitative records of reference vegetation

Over 5000 plots, containing over 2600 species, representing over 200 vegetation types. Reference data collection is an on-going activity

“The EEP mission is to restore, enhance, preserve and protect the functions associated with wetlands, streams, and riparian areas, including … restoration, maintenance and protection of water quality and riparian habitats …” 4. North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program

Biennial Budget FY 2005/06 and Cost by Category:Total $175,077,880 Summary Administration $ 9,477,939 Restoration* $ 102,910,770 HQ Preservation $ 57,984,804 Project Development $ 4,704,366*Includes Implementation and Biennial Total $ 175,077,880 Future Mitigation Projects Ecosystem Enhancement Program

Stream Restoration Durham, NC

5. Traditional EEP method Consult brief habitat-based plant lists Consult brief habitat-based plant lists Design a site-specific restoration plan Design a site-specific restoration plan Implement the plan Implement the plan Monitor survival of planted stems 5 yrs Monitor survival of planted stems 5 yrs Replant if needed Replant if needed

6. EEP-CVS Collaboration EEP wants to do a better job creating natural ecosystems.EEP wants to do a better job creating natural ecosystems. CVS provides improved reference data, target design, monitoring, and data management and analysisCVS provides improved reference data, target design, monitoring, and data management and analysis

7. Reference site initiative Goal: move from modest species lists to a quantitative plot database and high- resolution community classification with quantitative descriptions and defined environmental settings.Goal: move from modest species lists to a quantitative plot database and high- resolution community classification with quantitative descriptions and defined environmental settings.

8. Target generation Simple goal – Deliver composition goal based on the vegetation type most appropriate for the site and region.Simple goal – Deliver composition goal based on the vegetation type most appropriate for the site and region. Sophisticated goal. – Automated system that uses site data to generate likely NVC types, from which compositional goals are extracted.Sophisticated goal. – Automated system that uses site data to generate likely NVC types, from which compositional goals are extracted.

Longleaf pine – feasibility study Few longleaf pine sites remain in “original” condition. Restoration targets must be extrapolated from a limited number of reference stands.

Dataset: -188 plots across fall-line sandhills of NC, SC, & GA - All sites contained near-natural, fire- maintained groundlayer vegetation - Soil attributes included for both the A and B horizon: sand, silt, clay, Ca, Mg, K, P, S, Mn, Na, Cu, Zn, Fe, BD, pH, organic content, CEC, BS.

Step 1. Classification. Developed a classification of the major vegetation types of the ecoregion. Used cluster analysis with a matrix of 188 plots x 619 species. Vegetation types were seen to be differentiated with respect to soil texture, moisture, nutrient status, & geography.

Step 2. Build model. - Forward selection with linear discriminant analysis identified predictor variables. - Critical variables were Latitude, Manganese, Phosphorus, Clay, Longitude. - 75% of plots correctly identified to series. Typically 75% of communities within a series that were correctly classified.

Step 3. Select species. 1.Generate a list of all species in type (species pool) with frequency, mean cover values, and mean richness. 2.Randomly order the list 3.Compare species frequency to random number between 0 & 1, and if the random number is less than the proportion of plots the species is selected. Continue until the number in list of selected species equals the number predicted.

Overall strategy: Identify biogeographic region and obtain predictive models. Select pool of candidate species for a specific site based on range information. Divide restoration site into environmentally homogenous areas, stratifying by topography and soil. Use models to select species number and composition.

9. Monitoring – CVS methods

Trade off between detail and time.Trade off between detail and time. EEP protocol seamlessly integrates with CVS methods by allowing a series of sampling levels.EEP protocol seamlessly integrates with CVS methods by allowing a series of sampling levels. MS-Access data-entry tool to assure standardize data, easy assimilation, and automated quality control.MS-Access data-entry tool to assure standardize data, easy assimilation, and automated quality control. Standard backend database for reports and analysisStandard backend database for reports and analysis

10. Reports & Analysis Datasheets for monitoringDatasheets for monitoring Survival & growth of planted stemsSurvival & growth of planted stems Direction of compositional changeDirection of compositional change Rate of changeRate of change Problems needing attention, such as exotic speciesProblems needing attention, such as exotic species

CVS-EEP Training is essential

11. Reference stand issues Reference stand conditions may be difficult to achieve because of altered Soil nutrientsSoil nutrients HerbivoryHerbivory HydologyHydology Exotic species, and diseasesExotic species, and diseases Disturbance regimesDisturbance regimes Sea levelSea level ClimateClimate

12. Concluding remarks The iconic model, although analytically simple, provides a firm foundation.The iconic model, although analytically simple, provides a firm foundation. My case study lacks the sophisticated but impractical approaches generally advocated at an ESA symposium, yet it improves on a highly respected program.My case study lacks the sophisticated but impractical approaches generally advocated at an ESA symposium, yet it improves on a highly respected program. Don’t forget Robert May’s observation that ‘ecology is a science of contingent generalization.’ The CVS method focuses on contingencies of site and history.Don’t forget Robert May’s observation that ‘ecology is a science of contingent generalization.’ The CVS method focuses on contingencies of site and history.