Monday April 13th, 4pm, Mann Hall 323
Abstract: Aquatic ecosystems may be degraded by land use changes, hydromodification, pollution, invasive species, or extreme climate. Ecosystem restoration includes activities that initiate or accelerate the recovery of ecosystem health, integrity, and sustainability. Components of an ecosystem restoration plan may include removing or modifying a disturbance, re-establishing or enhancing habitat features, and re-introducing native species. A restored ecosystem will sustain itself structurally and functionally with resilience to normal ranges of environmental stress and disturbance. **The re-construction and rehabilitation of wetlands and stream/floodplain systems restores ecosystem functions by re-establishing lost habitats. Reference wetlands and streams are used to design appropriate geomorphic, hydrologic, and environmental parameters to meet restoration goals under the current watershed and climate conditions. Successful projects must achieve ecological goals at acceptable cost, become self-sustaining, and serve as models for future ecosystem restoration projects.