Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/4672
Title: Upland and wetland habitat development with dredged material : ecological considerations
Authors: Lunz, John D.
Diaz, R. J. (Robert J.)
Cole, Richard A., 1942-
Keywords: Wetland ecology
Wildlife habitat improvement
Waste disposal sites--Management
Dredging spoil
Dredged material
Publisher: U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station
Series/Report no.: Technical Report (Dredged Material Research Program (U.S.)) ; no. DS-78-15
Abstract: Regional habitat development and preservation priorities should be established by identifying target populations, groups, or communities and their support populations in an ecosystem context. Properly planned dredged material habitats can be both visually and functionally compatible with preexisting natural habitats. The character of any upland, island, wetland, or aquatic habitat is determined by both physical (geomorphological, hydrological, climatological) and ecological (succession, competition, predation) principles. Properly planned disposal operations serve to modify physical conditions and thereby influence (with some predictability) biological responses. Chemically enriched (polluted) dredged material can be used to develop productive fish and wildlife habitats if available information about mechanisms affecting chemical solubilization and biological availability is incorporated into project design. Consequences of habitat displacement are not easily avoided because of limited understanding about the relative value of various sizes and configurations of specific habitat types. An awareness of existing information describing the value of habitat types to management target resources together with studies designed to clarify specific target population-habitat interactions provides the only insurance against cumulative reduction in fish and wildlife resources. Blanket habitat development policies used in lieu of consideration of the unique qualities of each ecosystem should be avoided.
Description: Technical Report
Gov't Doc #: Technical Report DS-78-15
Rights: Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11681/4672
Appears in Collections:Technical Report

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
TR-DS-78-15.pdf6.66 MBAdobe PDFThumbnail
View/Open