Study

Restoration of a severely impacted riparian wetland system - the Pen Branch Project

  • Published source details Barton C., Nelson E.A., Kolka R.K., McLeod K.W., Conner W.H., Lakly M., Martin D., Wigginton J., Trettin C.C. & Wisniewski J. (2000) Restoration of a severely impacted riparian wetland system - the Pen Branch Project. Ecological Engineering, 15, S3-S15.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Restore wetland

Action Link
Amphibian Conservation
  1. Restore wetland

    A before-and-after, site comparison study in 1995–1996 of a degraded forested wetland in South Carolina, USA (Barton et al. 2000, Bowers et al. 2000) found that restoration increased numbers of amphibian species over the first four years. Sixteen frog and toad and 13 salamander species were captured in the restoration area. It was assumed that there were no amphibians prior to restoration. Successful reproduction was documented for 16 of the 29 species. However, species diversity was lower in the restored compared to natural site. Planting regimes and treatment (burning or herbicide application) had little effect on species assemblage. Restoration included tree planting in 1993–1995 (549–1078 trees/ha). In some areas herbicide application and prescribed burns were undertaken to control scrub. Approximately 25% of the restoration area was left as unmanaged (control) strips. Amphibians were monitored over 21 months in planted and unplanted areas and in adjacent natural wetland area.

     

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