Julia Bohnen and Susan Galatowitsch Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
History of Wetland Drainage in Minnesota More than 75% of wetlands in the Midwest have been drained Most drainage occurred 25-75 years ago
Wetland Mitigation Federal and state laws require that losses of existing wetlands must be avoided or mitigated For every 1 acre of lost wetland, 2 acres must be restored
Although much wetland restoration is happening, typically… Only hydrology is restored Little management occurs after initial construction Natural colonization is relied upon to re-populate the plant community is not restored
Restored wetlands do not resemble the native wetlands they are replacing.
Even planted wetlands can have low diversity because Planting density is too low There is a lack of aftercare Plants are placed inappropriately
Why Restore or Preserve Wetlands? Flood control Improve water quality Habitat Preserve our natural heritage Recreation
Spring Peeper Meadow
Spring Peeper Meadow was Funded to Demonstrate Successful Mitigation Practices
Spring Peeper Meadow Landscape Context Community context was a mosaic of Big Woods forest and savanna with prairie openings and depressional wetlands Rolling landscape Historically the area was a shallow wetland surrounded by Big Woods
A 30-acre purchase on the east edge of the Arboretum provided an opportunity to restore a shallow marsh with an extensive sedge meadow zone The name “Spring Peeper Meadow” reflects our aspirations to restore a shallow depressional wetland and the full complement of species that would thrive in such a wetland.
The Restoration Team
Spring Peeper Meadow – Pre-Restoration The land was acquired in 1995 It had been drained and farmed for more than 80 years The basin was a monoculture of reed canary grass and corn grew on the uplands
Planning & Information Gathering
Steps in the Restoration Process
Site Preparation
Seed Collection & Plant Production 1995 and 1996
Experimental Design
Planting the Wetland
Restoration Inputs are Carefully Documented
Ongoing Research At Spring Peeper Meadow
Wetland Community in Transition
Lessons Learned at Spring Peeper Meadow
Upland Management
Prairie and Savanna Restoration
Forest Restoration
Forest Understory Restoration
Dostları ilə paylaş: |