Improving Wetland Restoration Success Project

Future Webinars: Improving Wetland Restoration Success Project

September 9, 2014 – 3:00 pm eastern

How Restoration Outcomes are Described, Judged and Explained – Contributors: Joy Zedler, Aldo Leopold Chair of Restoration Ecology, University of Wisconsin; Robin Lewis, Lewis Environmental Services, Inc. & Coastal Resource Group, Inc.; Richard Weber, NRCS Wetland Team, CNTSC; Bruce Pruitt, USACE Engineer Research & Development Center; Larry Urban, Montana Department of Transportation

Abstract: Among non-scientists, the word “success” describes the achievement of a desired outcome. In the wetland arena, the term is used to describe results of restoration efforts–much more often than “failure.” If authors do not specify a priori objectives and levels of performance required, such judgments are subjective. One reviewer said “the projects with the poorest evaluation strategies generally have the most positive conclusions.” Long-term monitoring data of key structural and functional attributes can indicate the degree of progress being made toward matching reference ecosystems. To improve restoration overall, we need to describe progress objectively and thoroughly, explaining why some criteria were met and why others were not.

Even with the collection of data to evaluate progress, questions remain: How closely does the restored site match a reference ecosystem and for which services? And should objectives be revised if a site transforms into a valuable wetland unlike the one planned? Given varied objectives and varied assessments, it is not surprising that reviewers judge wetland restorations differently. Rather than expecting a judgment of success/failure, panelists recommend assessing levels of progress.

During this webinar presenters will cover the following topics:

1. How the term “success” is used/misused
2. Which criteria are used to assess restoration?
3. How review papers characterize and judge outcomes
4. How outcomes are explained
5. Recommendations