Multiple methods confirm wetland restoration improves ecosystem services

Abstract

Global wetland loss has reduced biodiversity and ecosystem services. These declines have inspired many landholders to restore wetlands, but the success of these efforts remains unclear, in part, because quantifying ecosystem services requires diverse methods. Here, we blend participatory mapping and surveys, field measurements and high-resolution models to track ecosystem services from restored wetlands on private land. We ask: 1) What ecosystem services do people perceive from restored wetlands? 2) What modelled/field measured ecosystem services were enhanced through restoration? and 3) How do field measured, modelled and perceived ecosystem services in restored wetlands interact? Participating landholders mapped their restoration project and shared their perceptions of ecosystem services. Next, we modelled ecosystem service changes using the Land Use Capability Indicator (LUCI) model and contrasted these to field measured ecosystem services for each wetland. Landholders perceived ~6.5 services from their restored wetlands. For modelled services, restoration significantly enhanced nitrogen and phosphorous retention. For fieldmeasured services, restoration increased soil organic carbon by ~20%, soil permeability to water by ~27% and native plant species richness by ~15 species, while reducing plantavailable phosphorous by ~23%. Correlating across methods revealed that reduced plantavailable phosphorus and site age and size were associated with more perceived services, whereas an increase in plant species richness was not a good proxy for gains in measured, modelled or perceived services. Based on the diverse ecosystem services gained, demonstrated by multiple methods, we contend that private wetland restoration can be successful as well as leveraged to meet multiple management and policy objectives.

Social Dimensions of Projected Climate Change Impacts on Ecosystem Services in the Coastal-Rural Area of Nemunas River Reaches and Curonian Lagoon (Lithuania)

“…It is also believed that the benefits provided by the ecosystems may or may not be perceived. According to Drakou [35], Stephanie [36], Overland [37] the perception of ecosystem value is experienced (felt) and the benefit of the ecosystem for people is recognized in the local context. The results of the assessment of ecosystem services and the analysis of tendencies can provide essential information on the implementation of various EU policies (e.g., in the field of nature protection, climate change, water management, marine protection), and when assessing the impact of policy sectors that rely on the use of ecosystem services (e.g., agriculture, forestry, fisheries, etc.).…”

Quantifying soil, microbial, and plant community changes following wetland restoration on private land

“…Restoration is the manipulation of successional processes to re-establish a desired ecosystem by accelerating species and substrate change, to achieve desired biodiversity and ecosystem services (Luken, 1990). Restoration is increasingly motivated by the provision of ecosystem services (Alexander, Aronson, Whaley, & Lamb, 2016;Matzek, Wilson, & Kragt, 2019) and the reversal of land degradation (Aradóttir, Petursdottir, Halldorsson, Svavarsdottir, & Arnalds, 2013;Bernhardt et al, 2007), although biodiversity enhancement is still a primary motivation for restoration (Hagger, Dwyer, & Wilson, 2017;Tomscha et al, 2021). Wetland restoration aims to re-establish conditions in soils, plants, and microbes that are responsible for ecosystem service production.…”

Quantifying soil, microbial, and plant community changes following wetland restoration on private land

“…The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (Reid et al, 2005) Commission, 2021). In New Zealand, there is widespread recognition of the need to restore wetlands in central and local governments, councils (Myers, Clarkson, Reeves, & Clarkson, 2013), and increasing restoration practice by community groups (Peters, Hamilton, & Eames, 2015), iwi, and private landowners (Schroder, Lang, & Rabotyagov, 2018;Tomscha et al, 2021).…”

“…Private property holds 75% of existing wetlands, and most of these are smaller than 3 ha in area (GWRC, 2003a). Landowners, farmers, iwi, residents, and community groups are restoring wetlands in the region (Tomscha et al, 2021). (Tomscha et al, 2021).…”

“…Landowners, farmers, iwi, residents, and community groups are restoring wetlands in the region (Tomscha et al, 2021). (Tomscha et al, 2021).…”