Study

Vegetation and environmental conditions in recently restored wetlands in the prairie pothole region of the USA. Vegetatio (now Plant Ecology)

  • Published source details Galatowitsch S.M. & van der Valk A.G. (1996) Vegetation and environmental conditions in recently restored wetlands in the prairie pothole region of the USA. Vegetatio (now Plant Ecology). Plant Ecology (formerly Vegetatio 1948-1996), 89-99.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Raise water level to restore/create freshwater marshes from other land uses

Action Link
Marsh and Swamp Conservation
  1. Raise water level to restore/create freshwater marshes from other land uses

    A replicated, paired, site comparison study in 1991 of 20 prairie potholes in Iowa, USA (Galatowitsch & van der Valk 1996c) found that restored potholes (rewetted and planted with cover crops) contained fewer plant species than natural wetlands after three years, and that their plant community was composed of different types of species. Statistical significance was not assessed. Fifty-eight different plant species were recorded across 10 restored potholes (vs 96 species across 10 natural potholes). Fewer floating, emergent, wet prairie and sedge meadow species were recorded in restored potholes (total: 4, 13, 4 and 13 species respectively) than natural potholes (total: 5, 20, 19 and 34 species respectively). More submerged species were recorded in restored than natural potholes (total: 9 vs 4 species). The study also reported data on the cover of individual plant species (see original paper). Methods: This study used exactly the same potholes and methods as (7).

    (Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust