Abstract |
Information on wetland creation and restoration is increasing. Last fall the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published the next version of the status report on creation and restoration. In looking at projects, the reason they were established in a particular location is not generally obvious. Siting of projects is an emerging issue. The collection of papers reports on the restoration and creation of tidal wetlands. As the authors learn more, the scientific questions are becoming more complex. The authors find that green does not automatically mean success. Plants growing on a wet site do not necessarily indicate a fully functioning system. Work with tidal systems is suggesting that once hydrology and plants are established, the next critical factor is soil processes. Some evidence suggests that without soil microbes, there are ramifications throughout the food chain. |