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Title:	Quantifying functional increases across a large-scale wetland restoration chronosequence
Authors:	Berkowitz, Jacob F., 1979-
Keywords:	Wetland restoration Hydrogeomorphic approach Bottomland hardwood Wetland function
Publisher:	Environmental Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.:	Miscellaneous Paper (Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)) ; no. ERDC/EL MP-21-6
Is Version Of:	Berkowitz, Jacob F. "Quantifying functional increases across a large-scale wetland restoration chronosequence." Wetlands 39, no. 3 (2019): 559-573. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-018-1103-9
Abstract:	Over 300,000 ha of forested wetlands have undergone restoration within the Mississippi Alluvial Valley region. Restored forest successional stage varies, providing opportunities to document wetland functional increases across a large-scale restoration chronosequence using the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) approach. Results from >600 restored study sites spanning a 25-year chronosequence indicate that: 1) wetland functional assessment variables increased toward reference conditions; 2) restored wetlands generally follow expected recovery trajectories; and 3) wetland functions display significant improvements across the restoration chronosequence. A functional lag between restored areas and mature reference wetlands persists in most instances. However, a subset of restored sites have attained mature reference wetland conditions in areas approaching or exceeding tree diameter and canopy closure thresholds. Study results highlight the importance of site selection and the benefits of evaluating a suite of wetland functions in order to identify appropriate restoration success milestones and design monitoring programs. For example, wetland functions associated with detention of precipitation (a largely physical process) rapidly increased under post restoration conditions, while improvements in wetland habitat functions (associated with forest establishment and maturation) required additional time. As the wetland science community transitions towards larger scale restoration efforts, effectively quantifying restoration functional improvements will become increasingly important.
Description:	Miscellaneous Paper
Gov't Doc #:	ERDC/EL MP-21-6
Rights:	Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited
URI:	https://hdl.handle.net/11681/41500 http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/41500
Size:	20 pages / 673.27 kB
Types of Materials:	PDF/A
Appears in Collections:	Miscellaneous Paper