10 Tenets of Urban Restoration
By Mark S. Laska, Ph.D., Great Eastern Ecology, Inc.
One criterion for a successful project might be whether it is regenerative (requiring no further human interference or support) in a location with appropriate soils and hydrology to support the targeted vegetation and faunal communities.
Photos courtesy of Mark S. Laska, Ph.D., Great Eastern Ecology, Inc.
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Habitat restoration, creation and mitigation are different in an urban setting compared with rural area. The impacts of urbanization on an ecosystem are severe and include not only contamination and high densities of invasive species, but also fragmentation of habitats, making connectivity difficult.
Based on a decade of urban restoration ecology experience, we have developed the approach summarized below in what we call our ?EUR??,,????'?????<?ten tenets?EUR??,,????'?????<? or principles for successful urban restoration projects. Because so many assignments (including some of the most complex) involve shoreline developments, the following discussion focuses on wetlands, but most of these points apply to a wide range of others as well.
Each restoration project has its own unique set of success criteria and measurable objectives. An often-used success criterion for a wetland restoration is whether the population of fish that breed on the marsh surface has increased.
The process begins with establishing clearly defined, quantitative criteria for what will be considered a successful project. It is essential to utilize multiple success criteria to define whether any wetland restoration project meets its goals and objectives. One criterion, for example, might be whether a wetland is self-sustaining (requiring no further human interference or support) in a location with appropriate soils and hydrology to support the targeted vegetation and faunal communities. Another often-used success criterion is whether the population of fish that breed on the marsh surface has increased. Below are the Ten Tenets for establishing successful criteria and measurable objectives:
- Identify/select an appropriate, ecologically viable ?EUR??,,????'?????<?target ecosystem?EUR??,,????'?????<? (aka a ?EUR??,,????'?????<?reference?EUR??,,????'?????<? or ?EUR??,,????'?????<?control?EUR??,,????'?????<? site) to use as a model for the restoration design. There are several inputs to this step, whose goal is to define clear quantitative objectives for the restored (or created) wetland before the design process starts (Most of these projects involve wetlands, for various reasons). Select a low-nutrient, slightly acidic substrate (soil) to favor the establishment of native species.Clearly define the site hydrology, which is the single most important determining factor for which species will survive in an area.Light regime: anticipate existing and future light conditions (which will change as the initial plantings mature) and apply to plant selection and location.Plant selection: the plant palette should generally be made up of diverse native species?EUR??,,????'?????<??oegenerally about 80% aggressive, high-survivability species and 20% plants that maximize specific desired ecosystem values.Construction practices and timing: the timing and sequence of implementation are integral to the planning/design process?EUR??,,????'?????<??oee.g., by planting early in the growing season to ensure best coverage, or by planting the lowest elevations first (deep-water species) followed by shallow-water/edge species and upland plantings last. Ecosystem succession should be used as a design tool?EUR??,,????'?????<??oeand as a way to save money.
Incorporate long-term monitoring, management and maintenance plans into the design ecosystem restoration plan to ensure a successful outcome; make these adaptable (i.e., allow for changes in environmental and market conditions, new technologies etc.) so future managers can respond if necesssary to unanticipated events and conditions.Herbivores: protect against them (e.g., Canada geese, deer, muskrats) with barriers and plant diversity.
- People: long-term stewardship planning (which may include community/education programs) is essential for the lasting success of urban restoration projects.
When evaluating, planning, designing, constructing and monitoring the restored habitat system or systems (i.e., modifying topographic grades, establishing hydrology, planning vegetation and utilizing specific habitat enhancement features), the planning and design of the restoration and enhancement can then be grounded in the ?EUR??,,????'?????<?tenets?EUR??,,????'?????<? mentioned above?EUR??,,????'?????<??oefundamental, but often overlooked or forgotten, factors or principles that govern and influence wetland function.
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