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Assessing Community Impacts of Restoring Coastal Wetlands in an Urban Great Lakes Estuary
Citation:
Witts, J., S. Green, T. Hollenhorst, J. Launspach, K. Margeson, S. Paczuski, M. Pearson, M. Wick, J. Josephs, K. Williams, J. Hoffman, AND T. Angradi. Assessing Community Impacts of Restoring Coastal Wetlands in an Urban Great Lakes Estuary. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) conference, Duluth, MN, November 01 - 11, 2021. https://doi.org/10.23645/epacomptox.16814647
Impact/Purpose:
Great Lakes coastal wetlands provide a multitude of ecosystem services; however, the human wellbeing benefits of ecological restoration are not well-studied. The objective of our study is to determine whether ecological restoration of an urban, coastal wetland changes perceptions of the aesthetics or of recreational use opportunities of a coastal wetland complex. To our knowledge, this is the first coastal wetland restoration project in the Great Lakes where pre- and post-project ecological and social monitoring will be conducted to measure the combined effect on ecological health and community wellbeing.
Description:
Great Lakes coastal wetlands provide a multitude of ecosystem services; however, the human wellbeing benefits of ecological restoration are not well-studied. In urban estuaries, these benefits are likely to be related to improved aesthetics, reduced health risk, and increased and improved recreational opportunities. The objective of our study is to determine whether ecological restoration changes perceptions of the aesthetics or of recreational use opportunities of a coastal wetland complex. Our study takes place within the St. Louis River estuary in a coastal wetland embayment named “Pickle Pond” that is adjacent to the Superior Bay along the Superior, Wisconsin waterfront. Pickle Pond is impacted by chemical contamination, habitat degradation, stormwater runoff, and has limited hydrological exchange with the St. Louis River. Improved ecological and physical conditions may expand recreation opportunities and enhance user experience, which may lead to increased human wellbeing benefits. Baseline data (pre-restoration) was conducted in 2021 and 2022. Restoration construction will begin in 2022. Data are being collected in the form of trail-use counters, direct observation, aesthetics surveys, and intercept surveys. To our knowledge, this is the first coastal wetland restoration project in the Great Lakes where pre- and post-project ecological and social monitoring will be conducted to measure the combined effect on ecological health and community wellbeing.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Assessing Community Impacts of Restoring Coastal Wetlands in an Urban Great Lakes Estuary
226_2021_CERF_POSTER_WITTS.PDF (PDF, NA pp, 1395.373 KB, about PDF)