1. Introduction Ecosystem-Specific Tools and Technologies Coastal/Marine

Grasslands/Savannas>UK

Lowland Heaths: Ecology, History, Restoration and Management

This publication, which draws together the final threads of the conference, represents the emergence of a new and positive era for lowland heaths across a much wider landscape than hitherto has been the case. In discussions on climate change and carbon sequestration, on flood and drought and positive water management, on rural economic renaissance and tourism, on post-industrial restoration and urban commons, and in terms of nature conservation and biodiversity, these are rich landscapes with much to offer.

Practitioners, implementing agencies, policymakers, indigenous and local communities

Rotherham, I.D. and J. Bradley (eds.) (2009) Lowland Heaths: Ecology, History, Restoration and Management. Journal of Practical Ecology and Conservation Special Series No. 5, Wildtrack Publishing, Sheffield, UK.

http://www.ukeconet.co.uk/images/stories/heathlands_proceedings.pdf

Arable Reversion to Species-Rich Grassland

The reversion of arable land to permanent grassland is a major work area funded through Environmental Stewardship. There are a number of reasons why arable land is reverted to grassland. This note focuses on the creation of species-rich grassland, that is, grassland comprising species characteristic of semi-natural grassland communities, in particular wild flowers. Other notes provide guidance on establishing a species-rich sown sward and the early management of a species-rich sward.

Practitioners, indigenous and local communities

Natural England Technical Information Notes (2010)

http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/TIN066

Inland Waters

Inland Waters>Bottomland Forests

Restoration of Bottomland Hardwood Forests across a Treatment Intensity Gradient

We report here on a comparison of four restoration techniques in terms of survival, accretion of vertical structure, and woody species diversity. The early success of the interplanting technique demonstrated that environmental benefits can be obtained quickly by more intensive efforts. Native recolonization can augment active interventions if limitations to dispersal distance are recognized. These results should provide landowners and managers with the confidence to use techniques of varying intensity to restore ecosystem functions.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Stanturf, J.A., E.S. Gardiner, J.P. Shepard, C.J. Schweitzer, C. J. Portwood and L.C. Dorris Jr. (2009) Restoration of Bottomland Hardwood Forests Across a Treatment Intensity Gradient. Forest Ecology and Management 257: 1803-1814.

http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/28299/1/IND44182920.pdf

Inland Waters>Floodplains>Europe

Restoring Floodplains in Europe: Policy Contexts and Project Experiences

This book addresses the complex institutional dimensions to restoring floodplains. Despite the recent surge of interest in restoring floodplains among policy and research circles, as well as in the public domain, very few schemes for restoring functional floodplains have been put into practice in Europe to date. The book explores the reasons behind this discrepancy between interest and applications with an original, comparative analysis of the institutional drivers and constraints of floodplain restoration in Europe. It explains why so few projects have been successfully implemented, how recent policy shifts are creating new opportunities for floodplain restoration and what lessons for policy development and project management can be drawn from in-depth analysis of past and present schemes. At a time of rapidly growing interest in restoring floodplains as an important component of efforts to improve flood protection, enhance riparian habitats, strengthen catchment management, raise water quality and pursue integrated rural development, the book critically appraises the relationship between macro-level policy development and enforcement and micro-level project design and implementation.

Policymakers, implementing agencies

Moss, T. and J. Monstadt (eds.) (2008) Restoring Floodplains in Europe: Policy Contexts and Project Experiences. IWA Publishing.

http://www.iwapublishing.com/template.cfm?name=isbn1843390906

Wise Use of Floodplains: A Review of 12 WWF River Restoration Projects across Europe

This study was carried out as part of the "Wise Use of Floodplains" project led by BirdLife International and supported by the EU Life- Environment Programme. It was coordinated and supported by the WWF European Freshwater Programme and supervised by the WWF Germany Floodplain Institute in Rastatt. The study tries to summarise the experiences gained from many different WWF river restoration projects across Europe. In particular it addresses the following questions: What are the lessons learned in planning, implementing and constructing river restoration? What role does WWF play? Who are the main partners? What are the ecological, social and economic benefits of the wise use of rivers? What and where are the major constraints to river restoration in Europe?

Implementing agencies

Zockler, C. (2000) Wise Use of Floodplains: A Review of 12 WWF River Restoration Projects across Europe. WWF – European Freshwater Programme.

http://www.ecrr.org/publication/guidelines_doc5.pdf

Wet Meadow Restoration in Western Europe: A Quantitative Assessment of the Effectiveness of Several Techniques

Techniques such as rewetting, topsoil removal, diaspore transfer or combinations of these are increasingly applied in fen meadow and flood meadow restoration in Western Europe. In this paper, we present a quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of the commonly used meadow restoration methods. We use the change in ‘saturation index’ to evaluate the degree of success. The index reflects the completeness of restored communities in comparison to regional target communities.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Klimkowska, A., R. Van Diggelen, J.P. Bakker and A.P. Grootjans (2007) Wet Meadow Restoration in Western Europe: A Quantitative Assessment of the Effectiveness of Several Techniques. Biological Conservation 140: 318-328.

http://ivem.eldoc.ub.rug.nl/FILES/ivempubs/publart/2007/BiolConsKlimkowska/2007BiolConservKlimkowska.pdf

Assessing the Hydrological Suitability of Floodplains for Species-rich Meadow Restoration: A Case Study of the Thames Floodplain, UK

The physical and chemical environment of a floodplain needs to be assessed to define conservation targets for restoring it to species-rich meadows from agricultural land. A straightforward technique, widely applicable by site managers for assessing the suitability of the hydrological and hydro-chemical regime of a floodplain for wet grassland restoration, has been tested by examining the feasibility of restoring plants characteristic of NVC MG4 and MG8 communities to the Castle Meadows, Wallingford (Oxfordshire, UK).

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Duranel, A.J., M.C. Acreman, C.J. Stratford, J.R. Thompson and D.J. Mould (2007) Assessing the Hydrological Suitability of Floodplains for Species-rich Meadow Restoration: A Case Study of the Thames floodplain, UK. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 11(1): 170-179.

http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/170/2007/hess-11-170-2007.pdf

Inland Waters>Floodplains>USA

Flood Pulsing in Wetlands: Restoring the Natural Hydrological Balance

Flood Pulsing in Wetlands reflects the current movement to incorporate flood pulsing into wetland restoration efforts. Emphasizing how integral flood pulsing is to successful wetland restoration, the book's contributors provide descriptions of restoration projects across North America in which flood pulsing has been primarily used to restore beneficial hydrodynamic conditions to floodplain areas, and improve or save vegetation, wildlife, and terrain.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Middleton, B.A. (2002) Flood Pulsing in Wetlands: Restoring the Natural Hydrological Balance. Wiley.

http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0471418072.html

Inland Waters>Lakes>Europe

Lake Restoration: Successes, Failures and Long-term Effects

In this study we evaluated data from more than 70 restoration projects conducted mainly in shallow, eutrophic lakes in Denmark and the Netherlands. Special focus was given to the removal of zooplanktivorous and benthivorous fish, by far the most common internal lake measure.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Søndergaard, M. et al. (2007) Lake Restoration: Successes, Failures and Long-term Effects. Journal of Applied Ecology 44: 1095-1105.

http://jlakes.org/web/Lake_restoration_success-failure-long_term-JAE2007.pdf

Lake Restoration Studies: Failures, Bottlenecks and Prospects of New Ecotechnological Measures

This paper critically reviews the published works on lake restoration in north-western Europe, with the aim to highlight the causes of failures of lake biomanipulation, and to identify the main bottlenecks that have impeded progress. More importantly, we explore the prospects of applying new ecotechnological measures to lakes with a focus on shallow lakes. These complementary measures are: (1) reduction of sediment resuspension; (2) water-level management; and (3) the use in shallow lakes of bivalves as effective grazers on lake seston, especially when cyanobacteria are dominant.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Gulati, R.D., L.M. Dionisio Pires and E. Van Donk (2008) Lake Restoration Studies: Failures, Bottlenecks and Prospects of New Ecotechnological Measures. Limnologica - Ecology and Management of Inland Waters 38(3-4): 233-247.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0075951108000327

Lake Restoration by Fish Removal: Short- and Long-Term Effects in 36 Danish Lakes

We conclude that a sufficiently extensive removal of plankti- and benthivorous fish is an efficient tool to create clear water; however, repeated fish removal is presumably required to obtain long-term effects in the most nutrient rich lakes.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Søndergaard, M., L. Liboriussen, A.R. Pedersen and E. Jeppesen (2008) Lake Restoration by Fish Removal: Short- and Long-Term Effects in 36 Danish Lakes. Ecosystems 11(8): 1291-1305.

http://jlakes.org/web/Lake-restoration-fish-removal-Danishlakes-ECOSYSTEM2008.pdf

Restoring Lakes by Using Artificial Plant Beds: Habitat Selection of Zooplankton in a Clear and a Turbid Shallow Lake

Our results suggest that water clarity is decisive for the habitat choice of large-bodied zooplankton and that introduction of APB as a restoration measure to enhance zooplankton survival is only a useful tool when water clarity increases following loading reduction. Our results indicate that dense APB will be the most efficient.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Overgard Schou, M. et al. (2009) Restoring Lakes by Using Artificial Plant Beds: Habitat Selection of Zooplankton in a Clear and a Turbid Shallow Lake. Freshwater Biology 54(7): 1520-1531.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2427.2009.02189.x/full

Inland Waters>Peatlands

Peatland Restoration and Rehabilitation

This issue of the International Peat Society (IPS) member magazine contains a number of restoration and rehabilitation case studies from Europe, Scandinavia, and Canada.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

International Peat Society (2009)

http://old.peatsociety.org/user_files/files/pi12009final.pdf

Inland Waters>Peatlands>Australia

Using Palaeobotanical Techniques to Guide Peatland Restoration: A Case Study from Byron Bay, Australia

This project investigated the vegetation composition that contributed to a peat layer in Byron Bay, using palaeobotanical techniques and makes suggestions to assist formulation of the restoration plan for the Byron Bay site. The major aims of this study were to: establish a chronology for the wetland sediments; detect any major temporal changes in vegetation types; and identify species that have played a key role in the accumulation of peat at this site.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Taffs, K.H., J.F. Parr and K.G. Bolton (2006) Using palaeobotanical techniques to guide peatland restoration. A case study from Byron Bay, Australia. Ecological Management and Restoration 7(2): 133-135.

http://epubs.scu.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1115&context=esm_pubs

Inland Waters>Peatlands>Canada

Techniques for Restoring Fen Vegetation on Cut-away Peatlands in North America

Sphagnum transfer, a reintroduction technique commonly used for bog restoration in North America, was effective for establishing Sphagnum and Carex species. The hay transfer method, commonly used for fen restoration in Europe, was much less successful, probably due to questionable viability of reintroduced seeds. The treatments which included light phosphorus fertilization, had a higher Carex cover after three growing seasons. The timing of the reintroductions had no impact on the success of vegetation establishment. However, vegetation reintroduction should be carried out in the spring while the ground is still frozen to minimize other ecological impacts. The success of the diaspore reintroduction technique on small-scale units indicates that a large-scale restoration of fens using this technique is feasible.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Graf M.D. and L. Rochefort (2008) Techniques for restoring fen vegetation on cut-away peatlands in North America. Applied Vegetation Science 11(4): 521-528.

http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.3170/2008-7-18565

North American Approach to the Restoration of Sphagnum-dominated Peatlands

A new approach addressing the North American context has been developed and is presented in this paper. The short-term goal of this approach is to establish a plant cover composed of peat bog species and to restore a water regime characteristic of peatland ecosystems. The long-term objective is to return the cutover areas to functional peat accumulating ecosystems. The approach developed for peatland restoration in North America involves the following steps: 1) field preparation, 2) diaspore collection, 3) diaspore introduction, 4) diaspore protection, and 5) fertilization.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Rochefort, L., F. Quinty, S. Campeau, K. Johnson and T. Malterer (2003) North American approach to the restoration of Sphagnum dominated peatlands. Wetlands Ecology and Management 11: 3-20.

http://servsas.fsaa.ulaval.ca/uploads/tx_centrerecherche/Rochefort_al_WEM_01.pdf

Restoration of Degraded Boreal Peatlands

This chapter will mostly discuss the restoration of Sphagnum-dominated peatlands (bogs) that have been affected by peat mining (Chap. 16), but the overall approach can easily be adapted to the restoration of ombrotrophic peatlands that have been damaged by agriculture, fires, or certain types of erosion. The restoration of peatlands after forestry practices and drainage is discussed in depth by Laine et al. (Chap. 15). For the particular case of peatlands with serious erosion problems, the report on blanket mire degradation (Tallis et al. 1997) should be consulted.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Rochefort, L. and E. Lode (2006) Restoration of degraded boreal peatlands in Boreal Peatland Ecosystems. Wieder, R. K. & D. H. Vitt (eds.) Ecological Studies series, Vol. 188. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany.

http://servsas.fsaa.ulaval.ca/uploads/tx_centrerecherche/Rochefort_Lode_EcolStud_2006.pdf

Le Drainage des Tourbières: Impacts et Techniques de Remouillage

Puisque chaque tourbière est unique en raison de sa position géographique, sa composition, son hydrologie, sa topographie, son âge, le type et le degré de perturbations qu’elle a subies (par exemple, récolte de la tourbe), les répercussions du drainage diffèrent d’une tourbière à l’autre. Toutefois, le drainage entraîne des conséquences dans chacune des tourbières touchées par ce phénomène. Au Québec, spécialement dans le sud de la province, où les tourbières naturelles se font de plus en plus rares, il est essentiel de mesurer l’importance de nos actions sur ces milieux utiles en biens et services écologiques pour un meilleur support de vie, incluant l’humain.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Landry, J. and L. Rochefort (2011) Le drainage des tourbières: impacts et techniques de remouillage. Groupe de recherche en écologie des tourbières, Université Laval, Québec.

http://www.gret-perg.ulaval.ca/uploads/tx_centrerecherche/Revue_drainage-FINAL.PDF

Inland Waters>Peatlands>Europe

Status and Restoration of Peatlands in Northern Europe

Here, we summarize different approaches and restoration techniques developed for peatland management in Estonia, Sweden, and Finland where peatlands are abundant. Without rewetting, plant colonisation on abandoned cut-away areas is slow due to harsh hydrological and microclimatic conditions. However, after restoration, cut-away peatlands may return to a functional state close to that of pristine mires, and therefore restore a net carbon sink function within a few years. In addition, restoration techniques can help to create buffer zones between terrestrial and limnic ecosystems that reduces the nutrient loading imposed on watercourses by forestry operations. Restoration may also be important for peatland conservation programs as drained peatlands are part of present and future conservation areas. Finally, restoration actions in themselves can have negative environmental impacts.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Vasander, H., E.-S. Tuittila, E. Lode, L. Lundin, M. Ilomets, T. Sallantaus, R. Heikkilä, M.-L. Pitkänen and J. Laine (2003) Status and Restoration of Peatlands in Northern Europe. Wetlands Ecology and Management 11: 51-63.

http://www.uni-marburg.de/fb19/personal/wiss_ma/kaiser/Vasander_et_al_2003.pdf

Inland Waters>Peatlands>Finland

Boreal Peatland LIFE: Restoring Boreal Peatlands in Natura 2000 Areas in Finland 

The largest LIFE Nature project in Finland started in January 2010. The project led by the Natural Heritage Services of Metsähallitus aims at restoring nearly 4,300 hectares of various kind of peatlands. This five year project includes 54 Natura 2000 sites around Finland. The main aim of the project is to restore the natural hydrology of the mires by filling in and blocking the ditches and by clearing trees to recreate the landscape as it was prior to the ditching.

Implementing agencies, practitioners

Natural Heritage Services of Metsähallitus

http://www.metsa.fi/sivustot/metsa/en/Projects/LifeNatureProjects/BorealPeatlandLife/Sivut/BorealPeatlandLife.aspx

Inland Waters>Peatlands>Indonesia

Master Plan for the Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation of the Ex-Mega Rice Project Area in Central Kalimantan

It is clear however, that the only truly sustainable use of peatland within the EMRP (and elsewhere) is as near as possible natural peat swamp forest. This ecosystem has evolved over millennia during which tree litter (leaves, woody material and roots) has contributed to peat accumulation while chemical and physical properties of the peat have influenced the biomass and nutrient cycling of the forest growing on top of it. Ecological and hydrological processes in peat swamp forest are in an equilibrium in which inputs of water and plant nutrients are balanced and large amounts are held in ‘store’ within the peat.

Implementing agencies, policymakers

Rieley, J. and S. Page (2008) Master Plan for the Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation of the Ex-Mega Rice Project Area in Central Kalimantan. Technical Review Number 1, The Science of Tropical Peatlands and the Central Kalimantan Peatland Development Area, Government of Indonesia.

http://www.geog.le.ac.uk/carbopeat/media/pdf/pub_technical_review%201-science.pdf

Inland Waters>Peatlands>Ireland

Conservation and Restoration of Raised Bogs: Geological, Hydrological and Ecological Studies

Reports on detailed studies in Raheenmoor Bog and Clara Bog, both in County Offaly, that were performed between 1989 and 2001. Containing a wealth of information on the two sites, including regional geology, regional hydrology, bog hydrology, and vegetation ecology, with much attention to hydrochemistry, this book includes an extra chapter on `soaks', areas of mesotrophic or minerotrophic vegetation, occurring on otherwise ombrotrophic bog, which are usually associated with internal drainage systems. An overview is given of the relationships between biotic and abiotic conditions, again with much attention for hydrology and hydrochemistry.

Practitioners

Schouten, M.G.C. (2002) Conservation and Restoration of Raised Bogs: Geological, Hydrological and Ecological Studies. Dúchas - The Heritage Service of the Department of the Environment and Local Government, Ireland; Staatsbosbeheer, the Netherlands; Geological Survey of Ireland; Dublin.

http://www.nhbs.com/conservation_and_restoration_of_raised_bogs_tefno_134690.html

http://www.raisedbogrestoration.ie/life04/downloads/raised-bog-restoration-brochure.pdf

Inland Waters>Peatlands>UK

IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands

It provides an authoritative assessment of the available evidence, based on peer-reviewed scientific consensus about the state of peatlands, the impacts of different activities on peatland ecosystems and the services they provide and the benefits of restoring and conserving them. The assessment explores mechanisms and processes for peatland conservation action, recognising the different social, economic and environmental drivers. The evidence-gathering approach was inclusive, engaging individual land managers as well as a wide range of organisations, which in itself has helped to foster joint action for peatland conservation and restoration.

Practitioners, implementing agencies, policymakers

Bain, C.G. et al. (2011) IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands. IUCN UK Peatland Programme, Edinburgh.

http://www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/sites/all/files/IUCN%20UK%20Commission%20of%20Inquiry%20on%20Peatlands%20Full%20Report%20spv%20web.pdf

A Review of Techniques for Monitoring the Success of Peatland Restoration 

An important element of all peatland restoration projects is a programme of monitoring to check results and progress. Several peat project workshops identified a demand for technical guidance on monitoring techniques. So Natural England commissioned this study to: 1) Review the range of peatland restoration monitoring techniques available and 2) Identify those that were consistent, informative and easily applicable for peatland restoration projects at a range of scales and budgets.

Practitioners, implementing agencies

Bonnett, S.A.F., S. Ross, C. Linstead and E. Maltby (2009) A review of techniques for monitoring the success of peatland restoration. University of Liverpool. Natural England Commissioned Reports, Number 086.

http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/NECR086