Planning aquatic ecosystem restoration monitoring programs

Thom, Ronald M.; Wellman, Katharine F.

doi:10.2172/477623

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The unweighted and weighted similarity index values between successive years averaged 78 and 71% and ranged 70 to 89% and 59 to 84%, respectively. This has implications for mitigation performance monitoring programs (Kentula et al 1992; Thom & Wellman 1996). These programs need to judge development based on data taken during the same year at both the restored site and the reference sites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Floristic Development Patterns in a Restored Elk River Estuarine Marsh, Grays Harbor, Washington

Thom

Zeigler

Borde

2002

Restoration Ecology

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We describe the changes in the floral assemblage in a salt marsh after reconnection to estuarine tidal inundation. The Elk River marsh in Grays Harbor, Washington was opened to tidal flushing in 1987 after being diked for approximately 70 years. The freshwater pasture assemblage dominated by Phalarais arundinacea (reed canary grass) converted to low salt marsh vegetation within 5 years, with the major flux in species occurring between years 1 and 4. The system continued to develop through the 11-year post-breach monitoring period, although change after year 6 was slower than in previous years. The assemblage resembles a low salt marsh community dominated by Distichlis spicata (salt grass) and Salicornia virginica (pickleweed). Because of subsidence of the system during the period of breaching, the restored system remains substantially different from the Deschamsia cespitosa (tufted hairgrass)-dominated reference marsh. Use of a similarity index to compare between years and also between reference and restored marshes in the same year revealed that similarity in floral composition between year 0 and subsequent years decreased with time. However, there was a period of dramatic dissimilarity during years 1 to 3 when the system was rapidly changing from a freshwater to estuarine condition.Similarity values between the reference and restored system generally increased with time. Somewhat surprisingly the reference marsh showed considerable between-year variation in similarity, which indicated substantial year-to-year variability in species composition. Based on accretion rate data from previous studies we predict that full recovery of the system would take between 75 and 150 years.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Floristic Development Patterns in a Restored Elk River Estuarine Marsh, Grays Harbor, Washington

Thom

Zeigler

Borde

2002

Restoration Ecology

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“…As a rule, the Corps and EAB documents summarized below recommend use of the adaptive management process to improve the performance of existing and planned projects, but at this time adaptive management is not a required part of the Corps ecosystem restoration planning process. (Thom and Wellman 1996) − This Corps of Engineers Institute for Water Resources report provides a unified approach to plan, implement, and interpret restoration monitoring programs. The report, written specifically for Corps planners, identifies factors to consider in designing and implementing an efficient, cost-effective monitoring program.…”

Section: National Guidance On Monitoring and Adaptive Management For mentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Cumulative Ecosystem Response to Restoration Projects in the Columbia River Estuary, Annual Report 2007

Johnson¹,

Sutherland²

2008

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“…Huggett (1993) states that a conceptual model basically organizes loose thoughts about the system. The basic conceptual model format we employ is shown in Figure 1 (Thom & Wellman 1996). In this format, the ecosystem values and services such as support for commercial species are dependent upon ecosystem processes, which are in turn correlated with ecosystem structure, which is controlled by a set of physical and chemical factors.…”

Section: Conceptual Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… A simple conceptual model used to illustrate the basic organization and interaction of ecosystem components when evaluating impacts and restoration potential. Examples of particular category attributes from a nearshore marine ecosystem are listed below (adapted from Thom & Wellman 1996 and Williams & Thom 2001). …”

Section: Conceptual Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Balancing the Need to Develop Coastal Areas with the Desire for an Ecologically Functioning Coastal Environment: Is Net Ecosystem Improvement Possible?

Thom

Williams

Diefenderfer

2005

Restoration Ecology

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The global human population is growing exponentially, close to a majority lives and works near the coast, and coastal commerce and development are critical to the economies of many nations. Hence, coastal areas will continue to be a major focus of development and economic activity. People desire the economic advantages provided by coastal development along with the fisheries and social commodities supported by estuarine and coastal ecosystems. Because of these facts, we view the challenge of balancing coastal development with enhancing nearshore marine and estuarine ecosystems (i.e., net ecosystem improvement) as the top priority for coastal researchers in this century. Our restoration research in Pacific Northwest estuaries and participation in nearshore project design and impact mitigation has largely dealt with these competing goals. To this end, we have applied conceptual models, comprehensive assessment methods, and principles of restoration ecology, conservation biology, and adaptive management to incorporate science into decisions about uses of estuarine systems. Case studies of Bainbridge Island and the Columbia River demonstrate the use of objective, defensible methods to prioritize tidally influenced shorelines and habitats (i.e., riparian forests, marshes, unvegetated flats, rocky shores, seagrass meadows, kelp forests) for preservation, conservation, and restoration. Case studies of Clinton, Washington, and Port Townsend, Washington, demonstrate the incorporation of an ecological perspective and technological solutions into design of overwater structures to minimize impacts on nearshore ecosystems. Adaptive management has allowed coastal development and restoration uncertainties to be better evaluated, with the information used to improve management decisions. Although unproven on a large scale, we think these kinds of methods can contribute to the net improvement of already degraded ecosystems. The ingredients include applied science to understand the issues, education, incentives, empirical data, cumulative impact analysis, and an effective adaptive management program. Because the option of net ecosystem improvement is often more costly than alternatives such as no net loss, commitment by the local or regional community to this approach is essential.

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Planning aquatic ecosystem restoration monitoring programs

Cited by 11 publications

References 14 publications

Floristic Development Patterns in a Restored Elk River Estuarine Marsh, Grays Harbor, Washington

Floristic Development Patterns in a Restored Elk River Estuarine Marsh, Grays Harbor, Washington

Evaluating Cumulative Ecosystem Response to Restoration Projects in the Columbia River Estuary, Annual Report 2007

Balancing the Need to Develop Coastal Areas with the Desire for an Ecologically Functioning Coastal Environment: Is Net Ecosystem Improvement Possible?

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