Study

Lessons from an urban lakeshore restoration project in New York City

  • Published source details Galbraith-Kent S.L. & Handel S.N. (2007) Lessons from an urban lakeshore restoration project in New York City. Ecological Restoration, 25, 123-128.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Directly plant non-woody plants: brackish/saline wetlands

Action Link
Marsh and Swamp Conservation
  1. Directly plant non-woody plants: brackish/saline wetlands

    A study in 1995–2003 of brackish wetland patches within a park in New York, USA (Galbraith-Kent & Handel 2007) reported that 11 of 20 wetland herbs planted in 1995 were still present two years later, and that eight of these increased in area over the second year after planting. Statistical significance was not assessed. Between one and two years after planting, ovate spikerush Eleocharis ovata was the species that increased most in area (from 10 m2 to 112 m2). Lizard’s tail Saururus cernuus was the species that declined most in area (from 102 m2 to 0 m2). The study also reported that most wetland patches, especially the smallest ones, were invaded by common reed Phragmites australis and purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria 7–8 years after restoration (not quantified). Methods: In late spring 1995, twenty wetland herb species were planted in nine wetland patches next to a brackish lake. Approximately 10,000 nursery-reared plants were planted at appropriate elevations. The site had been disturbed by pipeline maintenance, but then graded to create nine wetland patches (125–536 m2) and cleared of common reed using herbicide and plastic sheeting. The study does not distinguish between the effects of these interventions and planting on any non-planted individuals. The area covered by each planted species was mapped in early summer 1996 and 1997. Vegetation was surveyed qualitatively in 2002 and 2003.

    (Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)

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