Inland Waters>Rivers
Restoring Riverine Landscapes: The Challenge of Identifying Priorities, Reference States, and Techniques
This special issue of Ecology and Society on restoring riverine landscapes draws together nine presentations from the Second International Symposium on Riverine Landscapes, convened in August 2004 in Storforsen, Sweden. We summarize three themes related to river restoration: (1) setting priorities, (2) identifying relevant reference conditions, and (3) choosing appropriate techniques. We discuss ways of developing river restoration and provide examples of future needs in sustaining functioning river ecosystems that can support human societies.
Practitioners, implementing agencies
Nilsson, C., R. Jansson, B. Malmqvist and R.J. Naiman (eds.) (2006) Restoring Riverine Landscapes: The Challenge of Identifying Priorities, Reference States, and Techniques. Ecology and Society 12(1).
http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/issues/view.php?sf=19
Riparian Vegetation Metrics as Tools for Guiding Ecological Restoration in Riverscapes
The present work proposes a stepwise methodological procedure over spatial scales, using quantitative descriptors (metrics) of the ecological condition of the riparian vegetation. This evaluation is based on the composition and cover of plant assemblages, species attributes, and spatial patterns, which can reflect the deviation of the structure and condition of the riparian zone from the near-natural state to an impaired situation. Landscape metrics obtained from high spatial resolution imagery are used for the evaluation of the spatial features of the riparian zone, followed by the calculation of a riparian multimetric index, based on field observations. The integration of multi-spatial scale information provided by landscape metrics and biological metrics is essential and recommended for decision support of end-users and to evaluate the success of restoration measures.
Practitioners, implementing agencies
Aguiar, F.C., M.R. Fernandes and M.T. Ferreira (2011) Riparian Vegetation Metrics as Tools for Guiding Ecological Restoration in Riverscapes. Knowl. Managt. Aquatic Ecosyst. 402 (21).
http://www.kmae-journal.org/index.php?option=com_article&access=doi&doi=10.1051/kmae/2011074&Itemid=129
Inland Waters>Rivers>Australia
Inside the “Black Box” of River Restoration: Using Catchment History to Identify Disturbance and Response Mechanisms to Set Targets for Process-Based Restoration
Despite a rich literature defining the components of restoration project planning, restoration ecology currently lacks an explicit and logical means of moving from the initial project vision through to on-ground strategies. Yet this process is fundamental because it directly links the ecological goals of the project to the on-ground strategies used to achieve them. We present a planning process that explicitly uses an interdisciplinary mechanistic model of disturbance drivers and system responses to build from the initial project vision to the implementation of on-ground works. A worked example on the Upper Hunter River in southeastern Australia shows how understanding catchment history can reveal disturbance and response mechanisms, thus facilitating process-based restoration.
Implementing agencies, practitioners
Mika S. et al. (2010) Inside the ‘black box’ of river restoration: using catchment history to identify disturbance and response mechanisms to set targets for process-based restoration. Ecology and Society 15(4).
http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol15/iss4/art8/
Inland Waters>Rivers>Europe
LIFE and Europe’s Rivers: Protecting and Improving our Water Resources
The examples featured in this brochure form an overview of how LIFE co-funded projects have helped Member States meet the requirements of the EU’s Water Framework Directive. Projects have helped to implement it by testing, validating and demonstrating procedures and approaches that aid the management and sharing of information and the development of guidance on technical issues
Policymakers
Jones, W., J. Eldridge, J.P. Silva and N. Schiessler (2007) LIFE and Europe’s rivers: Protecting and improving our water resources. European Commission, Environment Directorate-General.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/documents/rivers.pdf
Practical River Restoration Appraisal Guidance for Monitoring Options (PRAGMO)
PRAGMO is a guidance document that aims to assist all practitioners in the process of setting monitoring protocols as part of a river restoration project. Because there is a wide range of organisations, with a range of knowledge and abilities, this guidance seeks to include monitoring strategies suitable for different groups. Steps outlined are intended to support technical staff working for competent authorities, consultancies and academic institutions as well as organisations with limited funds, which may need to demonstrate success to Trustees and funders. As a ‘living’ document, the techniques and methods will be updated over time.
Practitioners, implementing agencies
The River Restoration Centre (2011)
http://www.therrc.co.uk/rrc_pragmo.php
Inland Waters>Rivers>Japan
River and Wetland Restoration: Lessons from Japan
River and wetland restoration has emerged as a worldwide phenomenon and is becoming a highly profitable business. Although researchers worldwide know a lot about restoration practices in Europe and the United States, we have only scant information about the activities in Japan, where more than 23,000 river restoration projects have been conducted during the past 15 years. In Japan, restoration is a daunting business because of the high human population density, urbanization, and harsh environmental conditions. Here we provide an overview of the various restoration activities in Japan and discuss the lessons that we can draw from them.
Practitioners, implementing agencies
Nakamura, K., K. Tockner and K. Amano (2006) River and Wetland Restoration: Lessons from Japan. BioScience 56(5): 419-429.
http://www.wsl.ch/land/products/rhone-thur/publikationen/419River%20and%20Wetland%20Restoration%20Lessons%20from%20Japan.pdf
Inland Waters>Rivers>Mexico
Restauración Ecológica de Riberas: Manual para la Recuperación de la Vegetación Ribereña en Arroyos de la Selva Lacandona
El manual describe los problemas y limitaciones cuando se quiere restaurar las riberas y al mismo tiempo brinda opciones para la selección de las herramientas más adecuadas en cada caso. Presenta un listado de especies con uso potencial para la restauración, y recomienda cómo sembrar y disponer estas especies en distintas situaciones.
Practitioners, implementing agencies
Meli, P. and V. Carrasco-Carballido (2011) Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad Mexico Serie Diálogos Número 5.
http://www.conabio.gob.mx/
Integrating Ecological and Ethnobotanical Priorities into Riparian Restoration
The riparian vegetation along many rivers is so modified by farming and grazing that forest restoration targets are far from obvious, and initial steps are hard to plan. The Ayuquila River in southern Mexico offered the opportunity to test an approach that integrates ecological data and ethnobotanical information to identify reference sites that could serve as restoration targets and prioritize woody species for initiating restoration.
Practitioners, indigenous and local communities
Allen, A.E., F.J. Santana-Michel, C. Ortiz Arrona and J.B. Zedler (2010) Integrating Ecological and Ethnobotanical Priorities into Riparian Restoration. Ecological Restoration 28(3): 377-388.
http://er.uwpress.org/content/28/3/377.abstract
Inland Waters>Rivers>New Zealand
The Restoration Indicator Toolkit: Indicators for Monitoring the Ecological Success of Stream Restoration
The Toolkit has been developed primarily for the needs of regional councils with access to laboratories and technical equipment, but it should also be useful for community groups and resource users that are undertaking stream restoration without specialist equipment. It is based around the concept of identifying the important goals of the restoration and choosing appropriate indicators to measure the success of those goals. Some of the indicators require specialist equipment or technical training. However, there are several indicators for each type of goal, and when selecting from the Toolkit, a community group may simply avoid specialist indicators and choose others that match their goals and can be measured more easily. Alternatively, it may be possible for a community group to work with the regional council or research scientists in monitoring a restoration site.
Implementing agencies, practitioners
Parkyn, S., K. Collier, J. Clapcott, B. David, R. Davies-Colley, F. Matheson, J. Quinn, W. Shaw and R. Storey (2010) The restoration indicator toolkit: Indicators for monitoring the ecological success of stream restoration. National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand.
http://www.envirolink.govt.nz/PageFiles/31/RestorationIndicatorToolkit_stream.pdf
Inland Waters>Rivers>USA
Standards for Ecologically Successful River Restoration
Billions of dollars are currently spent restoring streams and rivers, yet to date there are no agreed upon standards for what constitutes ecologically beneficial stream and river restoration. We propose five criteria that must be met for a river restoration project to be considered ecologically successful. It is critical that the broad restoration community, including funding agencies, practitioners and citizen restoration groups, adopt criteria for defining and assessing ecological success in restoration. Standards are needed because progress in the science and practice of river restoration has been hampered by the lack of agreed upon criteria for judging ecological success. Without well-accepted criteria that are ultimately supported by funding and implementing agencies, there is little incentive for practitioners to assess and report restoration outcomes. Improving methods and weighing the ecological benefits of various restoration approaches require organized national-level reporting systems.
Implementing agencies, practitioners
Palmer, M.A. et al. (2005) Standards for Ecologically Successful River Restoration. Journal of Applied Ecology 42(2): 208-217.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2005.01004.x/full
Synthesizing U.S. River Restoration Efforts
The authors of this Policy Forum developed a comprehensive database of >37,000 river restoration projects across the United States. Such projects have increased exponentially over the past decade with more than a billion dollars spent annually since 1990. Most are intended to enhance water quality, manage riparian zones, improve in-stream habitat, allow fish passage, and stabilize stream banks. Only 10% of project records document any form of project monitoring, and little if any of this information is either appropriate or available for assessing the ecological effectiveness of restoration activities.
Policymakers, implementing agencies
Bernhardt, E.S. et al. (2005) Synthesizing U.S. River Restoration Efforts. Science 308(5722): 636-637.
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/308/5722/636.short
Setting River Restoration Priorities: a Review of Approaches and a General Protocol for Identifying and Prioritizing Actions
A well-crafted restoration goal identifies the biological objective of restoration, addresses underlying causes of habitat change, and recognizes that social, economic, and land use objectives may constrain restoration options. Once restoration goals are identified, one of six general approaches can be selected for prioritizing restoration actions: project type, refugia, decision support systems, single-species analysis, multispecies analysis, and cost effectiveness. Prioritizing by project type, refugia, or a decision support system requires the least quantitative information, and each approach is relatively easy to use.
Policymakers, implementing agencies, practitioners, indigenous and local communities
Beechie, T., G. Pess, P. Roni and G. Giannico (2008) Setting River Restoration Priorities: a Review of Approaches and a General Protocol for Identifying and Prioritizing Actions. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 28: 891-905.
http://fwl.oregonstate.edu/labs/giannico/html/documents/SettingRiverRestorationPriorities.pdf
Water for River Restoration: Potential for Collaboration between Agricultural and Environmental Water Users in the Rio Grande Project Area
This report was commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to explore the potential for working with agricultural water users to direct some part of the water supply of the Rio Grande in the Chihuahuan Desert to restoration of the river. While there is a long and growing history of disputes among competing water users in the Rio Grande Basin, and agricultural and environmental groups have in particular butted heads, the two groups share many common interests in future management of the river.
Implementing agencies, indigenous and local communities
King, J.P. and J. Maitland (2003) Water for River Restoration: Potential for Collaboration between Agricultural and Environmental Water Users in the Rio Grande Project Area. Report prepared for Chihuahuan Desert Program, World Wildlife Fund.
http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/chihuahuandesert/WWFBinaryitem2768.pdf
Riparian Restoration in the Southwest – Species Selection, Propagation, Planting Methods, and Case Studies
Riparian plant communities, though small in overall area, are among the most valuable natural areas in the Southwest. The causes of degradation of southwestern riparian zones range from excessive cattle and elk grazing in montane watersheds to invasive woody exotic species and lack of natural flooding in the cottonwood forests, “bosque”, of low elevation river valleys. Goals of riparian restoration include erosion control, channel stabilization, runoff reduction, and enhancement of wildlife and fishery habitat. Plant species and stock types selected for restoration efforts must be appropriate for the site characteristics. Relevant site characteristics include elevation, soil texture and chemistry, and depth to water table. Vegetative propagation methodologies including pole cutting production, mound layering, and large containerized stock have been developed to provide cost effective plant production of riparian species. Plant materials and planting methods range from dormant pole cuttings placed vertically or horizontally to unusual container stock types such as 30 inch tall pots. Case studies are presented on the restoration of the cottonwood forests along the middle Rio Grande and Gila River and of montane riparian areas in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
Practitioners
Dreesen, D., J. Harrington, T. Subirge, P. Stewart and G. Fenchel (2002) Riparian Restoration in the Southwest – Species Selection, Propagation, Planting Methods, and Case Studies. USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.
http://www.plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/pubs/nmpmcsy03852.pdf
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Developing a Monitoring Program for Riparian Revegetation Projects
Private landowners, ecosystem restoration professionals, and resource agency staff can work together to increase native vegetation on the banks of streams and rivers. This publication gives practical advice on how to make this kind of project work.
Implementing agencies
Lewis, D., M. Lennox and S. Nossaman (2009) Developing a Monitoring Program for Riparian Revegetation Projects. University of California, Division of Natural Resources and Agriculture Publication 8363.
http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8363.pdf
Guidelines for Establishing Monitoring Programs to Assess the Success of Riparian Restoration Efforts in Arid and Semi-arid Landscapes
This technical note is a product of the Ecosystem Management and Restoration Research Program (EMRRP) work unit titled “Techniques for Reestablishing Riparian Hardwoods in Arid and Semi-arid Regions.” The objectives of this work are to provide technology to improve capabilities of restoring riparian areas in arid and semiarid regions. The work unit focuses on site evaluation and selection, hardwood species selection, planting techniques, and long-term monitoring protocols. This publication addresses the establishment of a monitoring program to gauge progress toward meeting restoration project objectives.
Practitioners, implementing agencies
Guilfoyle, M.P. and R.A. Fischer (2006) Guidelines for Establishing Monitoring Programs to Assess the Success of Riparian Restoration Efforts in Arid and Semi-arid Landscapes. Ecosystem Management and Restoration Research Program (EMRRP).
http://www.dmg.gov/documents/GDE_Est_Mntrng_Prgrms_to_Assess_the_Sccss_of_%20Rip_Rest_Effrts_in_Arid_Semi_Arid_Lndscps_EMRIP_081606.pdf
Monitoring Riparian Restoration
This section provides a general overview of the riparian management monitoring programs.
Implementing agencies
Monitoring Riparian Restoration. Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Riparian Forest Restoration Strategy.
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/lm_hcp_rfrs_sec4.pdf
Inland Waters>Wetlands
An International Perspective on Wetland Rehabilitation
Authors ranging from private landowners to government managers to scientists present regional overviews, case studies, and discussions of various issues. Regional overviews cover areas as small as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to areas as large as Australia and Africa. Case studies range from relatively small projects, such as rehabilitation of damage caused by wheel ruts in the high arctic, to much larger projects, such as attempts to rehabilitate thousands of hectares of Northern Territory wetlands in Australia.
Implementing agencies, practitioners
Streever, W.J. (ed.) (1999) An International Perspective on Wetland Rehabilitation. Springer
http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/ecology/book/978-0-7923-5724-7
How Successful Mangrove Forest Restoration Informs the Process of Successful General Wetland Restoration
This article is derived from a more specific paper just on mangrove forest restoration published by the Society of Wetland Scientists in 2009. The intent of this article is to utilize some basic principles of successful mangrove forest restoration as a starting point to describe the routine problem with a lack of successful wetland restoration for all wetland types. This subject has been described in a number of recent articles in the National Wetlands Newsletter.
Practitioners, implementing agencies
Lewis, R.R. (2011) How Successful Mangrove Forest Restoration Informs the Process of Successful General Wetland Restoration. National Wetlands Newsletter 33(4): 23-25.
http://www.mangroverestoration.com/pdfs/Lewis%202011%20NWN.pdf
Modeling the Suitability of Wetland Restoration Potential at the Watershed Scale
The model offers a useful tool to focus and set goals for wetland restoration efforts in a spatially explicit way. A two-phase approach was used: the first is to develop criteria, or environmental indicators, to identify the total population of sites suitable for wetland restoration. Locations are identified where restoration has a high likelihood of success and will be sustainable over the long term. Criteria used include hydric soils, land use, topography, stream order, and a saturation index based on slope and flow accumulation in each grid cell in the model. The second phase “filters” the total population of available sites in order to prioritize them according to their potential to contribute to water resource integrity once restored.
Implementing agencies, practitioners
White, D. and S. Fennessy (2005) Modeling the Suitability of Wetland Restoration Potential at the Watershed Scale. Ecological Engineering 24(4): 359-377.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925857405000352
Inland Waters>Wetlands>Europe
LIFE and Europe’s Wetlands: Restoring a Vital Ecosystem
Wetland ecosystems hold an important part of Europe’s biodiversity. They provide ideal conditions for a vast diversity of habitats and species, and are especially important for birds providing vital nesting and migratory flyway areas. Despite their importance, however, wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate and are among Europe’s most threatened ecosystems. This brochure presents a selection of wetland projects that have received LIFE co-funding since 1992. The majority of case studies focus on the restoration and management of wetlands, while a number also target key wetland species.
Policymakers
Silva, J.P., L. Phillips, W. Jones, J. Eldridge and E. O’Hara (2007) LIFE and Europe’s wetlands - restoring a vital ecosystem. European Commission, Environment Directorate-General.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/documents/wetlands.pdf
Ecological Restoration of Wetlands in Europe
Five case-studies of wetland restoration projects that tackle different pressures are further elaborated. These large-scale projects included comprehensive approaches with different inter-related actions to improve the ecological status. Learning points from each case-study are highlighted.
Policymakers, implementing agencies
Coops, H. and G. van Geest (2007) Ecological restoration of wetlands in Europe: significance for implementing the Water Framework Directive in the Netherlands. WL/Delft Hydraulics, The Netherlands.
http://www.boku.ac.at/HFA/lehre/812001/reading/Ecological_restoration_of_wetlands_in_Europe.pdf
Creating Wetlands for the Improvement of Water Quality and Landscape Restoration in Semi-Arid Zones Degraded by Intensive Agricultural Use
Increasing interest in restoring wetlands within a multipurpose approach is observed in degraded lands submitted to intensive human uses. This study evaluates the effectiveness of constructed and natural wetlands in removing nutrients from agricultural wastewater and their potential contribution to landscape heterogeneity in semiarid Monegros area, NE Spain.
Policymakers, implementing agencies
Moreno, D., C. Pedrocchi, F.A. Comin, M. Garcia and A. Cabezas (2007) Creating Wetlands for the Improvement of Water Quality and Landscape Restoration in Semi-Arid Zones Degraded by Intensive Agricultural Use. Ecological Engineering 30(2): 103-111.
http://swamp.osu.edu/Academics/PDFs/Creating%20wetlands%20for%20improvement%20of%20water%20quality.pdf
Inland Waters>Wetlands>India
Restoration and Management Strategies of Wetlands in Developing Countries
The main objectives of this study were to identify the status of wetlands based on qualitative and quantitative impacts due to urbanization and various anthropogenic activities, and explore suitable restoration, conservation, and management strategies based on pollution level.
Implementing agencies, policymakers
Ramachandra, T.V. (2001) Restoration and Management Strategies of Wetlands in Developing Countries. Electronic Green Journal 15.
http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water/paper/restoration&management/Restoration%20And%20Management.pdf
Inland Waters>Wetlands>Japan
Restoration of Wetland Vegetation Using Soil Seed Banks: Lessons from a Project in Lake Kasumigaura, Japan
A promising revegetation technique is one in which soil seed banks are utilized as the source of plant recolonization. Using such a technique, a pilot project to restore lakeshore vegetation was launched at Lake Kasumigaura, Japan, in 2002. Here, we report lessons learned from the Lake Kasumigaura restoration project as a contribution to the establishment of ecologically sound revegetation techniques.
Practitioners, implementing agencies
Nishihiro, J., M.A. Nishihiro and I. Washitani (2006) Restoration of Wetland Vegetation Using Soil Seed Banks: Lessons from a Project in Lake Kasumigaura, Japan. Landscape Ecol Eng 2: 171-176.
http://pascencio.cos.ucf.edu/classes/Restoration%20Ecology/Pam/Nishihiro%20et%20al.%202006.pdf
Inland Waters>Wetlands>Mexico
Aplicaciones Prácticas para la Conservación y Restauración de Humedales y Otros Ecosistemas Acuáticos
La necesidad de manejar los ecosistemas de manera adecuada para garantizar un provechamiento sostenible de los recursos naturales y la conservacion de la biodiversidad, obliga a incorporar de manera eficiente diversas estrategias.
Implementing agencies, practitioners
Lindig-Cisneros, R. and L. Zambrano (2007 Aplicaciones Prácticas para la Conservación y Restauración de Humedales y Otros Ecosistemas Acuáticos in Sanchez, O. et al (eds.) Perspectivas sobre conservación de ecosistemas acuáticos en México. Instituto Nacional de Ecología, Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, México, D.F.
http://www2.ine.gob.mx/publicaciones/consultaPublicacion.html?id_pub=533
Inland Waters>Wetlands>New Zealand
Handbook for Monitoring Wetland Condition
New Zealand is obliged to monitor the health and condition of wetlands as a signatory to two international conventions (Convention on Biological Diversity and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands). To assist with these requirements, this handbook1 describes a set of science-based indicators that have been developed to monitor the condition of New Zealand estuarine and palustrine wetlands. It has been designed for managers, landowners, community groups and anyone else with a need to monitor the condition of wetlands.
Implementing agencies, practitioners, indigenous and local communities
Clarkson, B.R., B.K. Sorrell, P.N. Reeves, P. D. Champion, T.R. Partridge and B.D. Clarkson (2004) Handbook for Monitoring Wetland Condition. A Ministry for the Environment Sustainable Management Fund Project (5105).
http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biocons/restoration/docs/handbook2004.pdf
Inland Waters>Wetlands>Sweden
Costs and Benefits of Restoring Wetlands: Two Swedish Case Studies
Costs and benefits of restoring wetlands for nonpoint source nitrogen pollution are calculated for two Swedish regions: the Stockholm archipelago and Gotland, an island in the Baltic Sea. Costs for reducing the load of nitrogen to the Stockholm archipelago by measures involving wetlands, agriculture, sewage treatment plants, and air emissions are calculated and compared. The results show that restoration of wetlands may be the least costly measure, SEK 20/kg nitrogen abatement as compared to the next cheapest measure, SEK 25/kg. The results from Gotland indicate that the benefits per unit of investment of restored wetlands may be three times as high as associated benefits of investment in sewage treatment plants. This difference in benefits is due to two factors: the joint production of several environmental services and the self-organizing feature.
Policymakers, implementing agencies
Gren, I-M. (1995) Costs and Benefits of Restoring Wetlands: Two Swedish Case Studies. Ecological Engineering 4(2): 153-162.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0925857494000435
Inland Waters>Wetlands>UK
Creating New Wetlands: Key Principles and a Project Model
This report reviews real wetland (re-)creation schemes and two theoretical approaches to environmental projects in order to identify best practice and common pitfalls. The results of this review are used to produce a model of wetland (re-)creation which can be used as a template to plan new projects. The model aims to maximise the benefits from new projects and minimize risk of failure.
Implementing agencies, policymakers
Ecology, Land and People (2008) Creating New Wetlands: Key Principles and a Project Model, Broads Authority and Natural England.
http://www.wetlandvision.org.uk/userfiles/File/Creating%20New%20Wetlands%20Final%20Broads.pdf
Inland Waters>Wetlands>USA
Heroic Tales of Wetland Restoration
Heroic Tales of Wetland Restoration tells of 12 rural landowners, who changed their farming practices to reclaim wetlands, streams and rivers. Their stories span Oregon from the Columbia River to Cape Blanco, and Bonanza to Bear Valley. They have worked hard to restore oxbows, lush with sedges and cattails, forging partnerships with landowners, state and federal agencies, non-profits and community groups.
Indigenous and local communities, practitioners
Lev, E. (2001) Heroic Tales of Wetland Restoration. The Wetlands Conservancy.
http://oregonwetlands.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73&Itemid=82