PARENT SESSION
Contributed Oral Session 96: Restoration and Adaptive Management: Fresh and Salt Water Wetlands; Deer
Wednesday, August 10, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Meeting Room 516 D, Level 5, Palais des congrès de Montréal
A regional assessment of saltmarsh restoration and monitoring in the Gulf of Maine.
Konisky, Raymond1, Dionne, Michele*,1, Burdick, David2, Neckles, Hilary3, 1 Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, Wells, ME2 University of New Hampshire Jackson Estuarine Laboratory, Durham, NH3 United States Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Augusta, ME
ABSTRACT- Saltmarsh monitoring datasets from thirty-six complete or imminent restoration projects in the Gulf of Maine were compiled to assess regional monitoring and restoration practices. Data were organized by functional indicators and restoration project types (culvert replacement, excavation works, or ditch-plugging) then pooled to generate mean values for indicators before restoration, after restoration, and at reference sites. Monitoring data were checked against the regional standards of a voluntary protocol for the Gulf of Maine. Data inventories showed that vegetation and salinity indicators were most frequently collected (89% and 78% of sites, respectively), but nekton, bird, and hydrologic measures were collected at only about half of the sites. Reference conditions were monitored at 72% of sites. Indicators were analyzed to see if project sites were degraded relative to reference areas, and to detect ecological responses to restoration activities. Results showed that compared to reference areas, pre-restoration sites had smaller tidal ranges, reduced salinity levels, greater cover of brackish plants species, and lower cover of halophyte plants. Following restoration, physical factors rebounded rapidly with increased flood and salinity levels after about one year. Biologic responses were less definitive and occurred over longer time frames. Plant communities trended toward increased halophyte and reduced brackish species at three-plus years following restoration. Nekton and avian indicators were indistinguishable among reference, impacted, and restored areas. Results appeared limited by regional inconsistencies in field practices and relatively few multi-year datasets. To improve future assessment capabilities, regional efforts are being made to encourage greater adherence to the standard protocol throughout the Gulf of Maine saltmarsh restoration community.
Key words: tidal restoration, saltmarsh, regional assessment, monitoring protocol