Study

Techniques for restoration of disturbed coastal wetlands of the Great Lakes

  • Published source details Wilcox D.A. & Whillans T.H. (1999) Techniques for restoration of disturbed coastal wetlands of the Great Lakes. Wetlands, 19, 835-857.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Lower water level to restore degraded freshwater marshes

Action Link
Marsh and Swamp Conservation
  1. Lower water level to restore degraded freshwater marshes

    A before-and-after study in 1993–1996 of a lakeshore marsh in Ohio, USA (Wilcox & Whillans 1999) reported that over a year of drawdown, the area of emergent vegetation increased. In 1993, two years before drawdown, the marsh was mostly open water with only 10% covered by emergent vegetation stands. In 1996, after approximately one year of drawdown but before any other interventions were carried out, 73% of the marsh was covered by emergent vegetation stands. Colonizing vegetation included several herbaceous wetland species, wind-dispersed woody species, and some upland herbs (not quantified). Methods: In 1995, an embankment was constructed across the mouth of Metzger Marsh to replace a natural barrier beach that had disappeared in the 1970s. The embankment separated the marsh from Lake Erie and caused a decline (drawdown) of the water level in the marsh. Vegetation was surveyed before (1993) and after (1996) drawdown (further details not reported).

    (Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)

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