Bakker et al. (2006) tested in a field experiment the effects of groundwater level
rise with a combination of topsoil removal or mowing on the recovery of oligotrophic wet dune slack plants. They found that the re-wetting was crucial to
nutrient availability. Plant traits related to dispersal, nutrient, and moisture regime
were all significantly affected by re-wetting in the Kennemer dunes slacks in the
Netherlands. The re-wetting did not coincide with traits of plant species of wet,
oligotrophic conditions that were predominantly the target species of wetland
restoration (van Bodegom et al. 2006). They concluded that the lack of redevelopment of target vegetation in restored wetlands deserves further analysis.
16.5 Conclusions
Restoration strategies should be based on the knowledge of the biology of the
problematic species and the knowledge of the minimal ecological requirements of
native species. In this study area, the restoration process is on track, three invasive
species have been partially or totally eliminated, there is recovery of the hydroperiod compared with that of similar broadleaved marshes along the coastal plain,
and a freshwater marsh has been created with a heterogeneous plant cover dominated by native species. Nevertheless, the wetland is not yet self-sustaining.
Its small size increases the edge effect, the water flowing into it is enriched with
nutrients that favor the mono-dominance of Typha, and next to the restored site
there is grassland dominated by Echinochloa. In the short and mid-term, continuous monitoring and intervention are still needed. In the long term, consideration
about climate changes and their effects on the hydroperiod will have to be taken
into account to ensure the success of the restored marsh.
Acknowledgments This research was made possible with a grant given by Conacyt-SEP
(106451) and CONABIO (HH024), and the support of the Instituto de Ecología A.C. (902-17).
Thanks to the editors for their critical appraisal of this work.
References
Bakker C, Van Bodegom PM, Nelissen HJM, Ernst WHO, Aerts R (2006) Plant responses to
rising water tables and nutrient management in calcareous dune slacks. Plant Ecol 185:19–28
Battaglia LL, Collins BS (2006) Linking hydroperiod and vegetation response in Carolina bay
wetlands. Plant Ecol 184:173–185
Bobbink R, Beltman B, Verhoeven JTA, Whigham DF (eds) (2006) Wetlands: functioning,
biodiversity conservation, and restoration. Springer, Berlin
16 Interdune Wetland Restoration
267
rise with a combination of topsoil removal or mowing on the recovery of oligotrophic wet dune slack plants. They found that the re-wetting was crucial to
nutrient availability. Plant traits related to dispersal, nutrient, and moisture regime
were all significantly affected by re-wetting in the Kennemer dunes slacks in the
Netherlands. The re-wetting did not coincide with traits of plant species of wet,
oligotrophic conditions that were predominantly the target species of wetland
restoration (van Bodegom et al. 2006). They concluded that the lack of redevelopment of target vegetation in restored wetlands deserves further analysis.
16.5 Conclusions
Restoration strategies should be based on the knowledge of the biology of the
problematic species and the knowledge of the minimal ecological requirements of
native species. In this study area, the restoration process is on track, three invasive
species have been partially or totally eliminated, there is recovery of the hydroperiod compared with that of similar broadleaved marshes along the coastal plain,
and a freshwater marsh has been created with a heterogeneous plant cover dominated by native species. Nevertheless, the wetland is not yet self-sustaining.
Its small size increases the edge effect, the water flowing into it is enriched with
nutrients that favor the mono-dominance of Typha, and next to the restored site
there is grassland dominated by Echinochloa. In the short and mid-term, continuous monitoring and intervention are still needed. In the long term, consideration
about climate changes and their effects on the hydroperiod will have to be taken
into account to ensure the success of the restored marsh.
Acknowledgments This research was made possible with a grant given by Conacyt-SEP
(106451) and CONABIO (HH024), and the support of the Instituto de Ecología A.C. (902-17).
Thanks to the editors for their critical appraisal of this work.
References
Bakker C, Van Bodegom PM, Nelissen HJM, Ernst WHO, Aerts R (2006) Plant responses to
rising water tables and nutrient management in calcareous dune slacks. Plant Ecol 185:19–28
Battaglia LL, Collins BS (2006) Linking hydroperiod and vegetation response in Carolina bay
wetlands. Plant Ecol 184:173–185
Bobbink R, Beltman B, Verhoeven JTA, Whigham DF (eds) (2006) Wetlands: functioning,
biodiversity conservation, and restoration. Springer, Berlin
16 Interdune Wetland Restoration
267