Grantee Research Project Results

Experimentally Partitioning Effects of Hydrologic Regime on Vegetation and Soils to Develop Predictive Models for Restoration of Freshwater Wetlands

EPA Grant Number: EM832981
Title: Experimentally Partitioning Effects of Hydrologic Regime on Vegetation and Soils to Develop Predictive Models for Restoration of Freshwater Wetlands
Investigators: Scinto, Leonard
Current Investigators: Scinto, Leonard , Richards, Jennifer
Institution: Florida International University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009
Project Amount: $193,400
RFA: Targeted Research Grant (2006) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Targeted Research

Objective:

Develop a predictive marsh and tree island model quantifying the relationships between hydrologic parameters and the plant, soil and ecosystem components. In addition, the processes that create and maintain marsh heterogeneity and healthy tree islands will be documented. Hydrologic parameters are important, but poorly quantified, and include water depth, hydroperiod, water current velocity and timing of inundation. The overall objective is to provide the data needed to properly restore orcreate wetlands lost or highly modified by anthropogenic activities.

Approach:

Sets of five flume channels, each 10 x 300 m, will be constructed and used to test and quantify hydrologic treatments and tree island head construction design on plant and soil responses. The significant advantages flumes provide includes mesocosm size, highly controlled flume hydrology, the ability to test one variable at a time, and easily change treatments in a flume.

Expected Results:

Data which will: 1) be instrumental in the management, creation, and restoration of altered freshwater ecosystems; 2) address the hydrologic conditions required for a productive, healthy ecosystem with the proper attributes; and 3) provide the ability to maintain a mosaic of plant communities.

Supplemental Keywords:

wetland hydrology, hydroperiod, peat soils, wetland soils, nutrients, TOC, TON, TOP, restoration, creation, tree islands, predictive model, ecosystem function, freshwater marsh, wetland, flume, anthropogenic, plant response, vegetation, treatment,, RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, ECOSYSTEMS, Aquatic Ecosystem, Aquatic Ecosystems & Estuarine Research, Terrestrial Ecosystems, Hydrology, aquatic ecosystem restoration, bidoveristy, modeling ecosystem change, wetland stabilization, ecosystem monitoring, fate and transport, wetlands, hydrologic modeling, hydrodynamics

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.