Designing Mosaics: Ecological Considerations for Designing Diverse Stream-Wetland Complexes for Mitigation Banking
Emily Jones
Beaver Creek Hydrology
Lexington, KY
Authors: Emily Jones, Leslie J. White, PhD, Amy Schultz, PE
Wetland restoration is a critical tool for mitigating habitat loss, enhancing biodiversity, and restoring ecological functions to a landscape. A fundamental goal of any wetland restoration project is to provide and uplift in the functions of the local habitat; however, achieving these outcomes requires balancing ecological relevance with design procedures and techniques to satisfy success criteria. The path to achieving these goals is one filled with unique challenges that vary by state, region, and site. Knowing what questions to ask and answer about the hydrology and existing conditions of the site has a drastic impact on the final design and implementation of a wetland restoration project.
This presentation will explore the intersection of ecological restoration science and regulatory frameworks. It will focus on the design, implementation, and success of four mitigation banks in the Louisville and Nashville USACE districts. Through these case studies, we examine how ecological and geomorphological assessments informed site-specific design approaches. These projects highlight the importance of understanding hydrology, soil characteristics, and existing ecological conditions to guide successful restoration efforts. To maximize uplift and functions, designs and techniques should seek to have high habitat and vegetative diversity. This can be done through a gradient of elevations, inundation periods, and water depths, which provide heterogeneous habitats for diverse flora structures.
As wetland restoration science continues to expand as a field, case studies such as these play an important role in creating successful and complex wetland systems. By prioritizing ecological relevance, we can create multifunctional wetland systems that contribute to landscape-scale restoration and conservation goals.
About Emily Jones
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