Wednesday, August 4, 2010: 8:00 AM-11:30 AM
303-304, David L Lawrence Convention Center
OOS 24 - Linking People, Nature, and Water Together through Restoration: Applications and Lessons learned in Wetland Restoration, in the Mid-Atlantic United States
The rise of ecological restoration has been, at least in part, motivated by the practical need to restore wetlands to functional systems that provide ecosystem services. Regulations to protect water resources resulted in many small-scale wetland restoration projects, initiating much of the practice of ecological restoration and science of restoration ecology. While many wetland and riparian restoration projects continue to be implemented on a local basis, these efforts are increasingly incorporated into watershed management frameworks. Restoring wetlands and riparian areas at the watershed level often involves habitats ranging from protected wilderness to developed urban areas. In addition, watersheds include a multitude of habitat types with different management and disturbance histories. Active stakeholder involvement is an important component of implementing restoration goals at the watershed level. These challenges require a flexible and varied approach to restoration within a watershed, while integrating the efforts of different municipalities and management agencies. This organized oral session will explore how restoration within a watershed framework links together diverse stakeholders and habitats, thus requiring a multidisciplinary approach to be most effective. The application of ecological restoration will further be explored by bringing together speakers who address restoration as it relates to the urban/rural gradient, active stakeholder involvement, education and outreach, water quality, and climate change. While the session includes many perspectives on watershed restoration efforts, the unifying themes are a multidisciplinary or multi-stakeholder approach and a focus on the mid-Atlantic region. At least one case study will highlight a restoration project in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and linked to a field trip for a site visit. As urbanization increases, and the number of wetland and riparian restoration projects continue to increase, it is important to explore lessons learned through restoration within a watershed context. The session will be open with a presentation on the history of ecological restoration. The second talk will explore urban environments and novel ecosystems in restored wetland communities, including how restoration can inform ecological theory (e.g., assembly rules, neutral theory). Followed by a presentation concerning the Baltimore Ecosystem Study, which has been a tremendously successful research project that underscores the watershed approach necessary for successful restoration. The session will feature four unique case studies highlighting particular restoration challenges including urban environments, trout stream/brownfield restoration, water quality and channel construction, and damn removal. The session will conclude with a presentation on stream restoration, focusing on novel approaches that have been successful.
Organizer:Bryan E. Dolney, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
Co-organizer:Anne L. Frances, University of Florida/ IFAS
Moderator:Anne L. Frances, University of Florida/ IFAS
8:00 AMOOS 24-1The role of history in wetland and riparian ecological restoration
Emily W. B. (Russell) Southgate, Hood College, Jennifer L. Momsen, Michigan State University, Kathleen Strakosch Walz, Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry
8:20 AMOOS 24-2Urban restoration by spontaneous assembly: are wetland and upland wildlands biodiversity havens?
Claus Holzapfel, Rutgers University, Frank Gallagher, Rutgers University, Hadas A. Parag, Rutgers University, Jason Grabosky, Rutgers University, Ildiko C. Pechmann, Rutgers University
8:40 AMOOS 24-3An investigation of in situ denitrification in urban and forested wetlands using the 15N push-pull method
Melanie Harrison, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Peter M. Groffman, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Paul Mayer, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Sujay S. Kaushal, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
9:00 AMOOS 24-4Restoring urban biodiversity : Recreating a trout stream riparian corridor within a commercial/residential brownfield redevelopment in PA
Jeffrey K. Keller, Habitat by Design
9:20 AMOOS 24-5Implementing an ecosystem approach to restoring the condition and services of a large urban wetland complex
John J. Mack Jr., Cleveland MetroParks
9:40 AM Break
9:50 AMOOS 24-6Adaptive management in urban stream restoration: Balancing water quality and channel structure
Daniel J. Bain, University of Pittsburgh, Marion T. Sikora, University of Pittsburgh, Erin P. Wozniak, University of Pittsburgh, Katelin R. Fisher, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Emily M. Elliott, University of Pittsburgh
10:10 AMOOS 24-7Dam removal, hydrogeology, and biological systems: Data from a freshwater, tidal system
Alan B. Griffith, University of Mary Washington, Ben Kisila, University of Mary Washington, Abbie Tomba, University of Mary Washington, Werner Wieland, University of Mary Washington, Shelby Zelonis, University of South Carolina, Emily Alberto, University of Mary Washington
10:30 AMOOS 24-8Moving toward more strategic approaches in stream restoration
Solange Filoso, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Margaret Palmer, University of Maryland
10:50 AMOOS 24-9Reflections on a multi-year study of stratification needs and germination rates in wild rice
Scott M. Herron, Ferris State University, Lauren Mitten, Ferris State University, Joshua S. Byers, Ferris State University
11:10 AMOOS 24-10Carbon accumulation in natural and created wetlands
Blanca Bernal, Wilma H. Schiermer Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, William J. Mitsch, Wilma H. Schiermer Olentangy River Wetland Research Park

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See more of The 95th ESA Annual Meeting (August 1 -- 6, 2010)