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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? Is restoration of wetlands more important than existing wetlands? Is it advantageous? Help or Hinder biodiversity? Will endangered species become more susceptible to invasive species? 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 Necessary, but often an uphill battle! Challenges Choosing a Project Site Setting Goals and Objectives (such as full or partial, active or passive restoration) Using Reference Sites Translating to Action Using Adaptive Management Securing Interest & Publicizing the Project Participation Implementation Leadership Monitoring Outlasting Political Trends Past, Present, and Future Restorations Design Theories are too linear 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 Original goal not achieved, but still SUCCESSFUL! Agricultural Land 297 100 105 75 from Original list 71.4% Species Richness Species Rich Tallgrass Prairie More Good News… Continued Success in Europe! (A. P. Grootjans and S. K. Verbeek 2002) Meadows Ag Fens/Bogs Ag Grasslands Meadow 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 Yet another lovely response curve…. Mowing, Rewetting and Sod Cutting Regimes were Manipulated & Monitored Flood pulsing and Disturbance Regime Finally…the take home message! Do not second guess nature! Restoration is complex, often costly, and the results are uncertain. Restoration is easier anf more successful then creation. As wetland functions are increasingly understood, restorations may be significantly more successful !!!!!!!!!!!