Presentation Abstract
Restoration science is often described as an ultimate test of ecological theory; assessing the value of restoration actions is challenged by difficulties in measuring complex interactions between restored physical processes and the response of biological resources. Yet, demonstrating the value of restoration is a key to sustaining future public investment, especially in light of uncertainty of future climate change effects. At the Nisqually River Delta, a restoration partnership between the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), the Nisqually Indian Tribe (Tribe), and Ducks Unlimited culminated in re-established tidal flow to 360 ha of historic floodplain and delta representing the largest estuarine restoration in the Pacific Northwest. Restoration of this large delta was expected to result in a substantial improvement in ecological functions and services in southern Puget Sound. The goal of our scientific team, led by the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) for the project partners, was to assess the biophysical response to restoration. Science objectives were built into a monitoring framework to include hydrodynamics, geomorphology, sedimentation and nearshore processes with vegetation, invertebrate food resources, waterbird, and fisheries. Our science partners included the U. S. Geological Survey, Refuge, Tribe, non-governmental organizations, and universities representing several disciplines. Funding the science was challenging, since as with most wetland restoration projects, adequate funds are rarely included in costs. Instead, the managers and scientists worked together to raise funds through special funds and competitive grants including addressing climate change. With this funding model, a major challenge for the team was communicating and sustaining a vision to make separate multidisciplinary efforts into unified interdisciplinary science. Here, we use lessons learned from early results of the Nisqually River Delta restoration to discuss restoration science in planning processes, funding costs and approaches, monitoring versus applied studies, and advancing interdisciplinary findings from multidisciplinary efforts.
Session Title
Session S-05F: Ecosystem Restoration: Geomorphic Context, Design Considerations, and Success Stories
Conference Track
Restoration
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
1-5-2014 10:30 AM
End Date
1-5-2014 12:00 PM
Location
Room 602-603
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Estuarine restoration--Washington (State)--Nisqually River Delta; Sediment transport--Washington (State)--Nisqually River Delta; Tidal currents--Washington (State)--Nisqually River Delta; Estuaries--Management--Washington (State)--Nisqually River Delta
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Nisqually River Delta (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Progressing from multidisciplinary to interdisciplinary restoration science: monitoring and applied studies on the Nisqually River Delta
Room 602-603
Restoration science is often described as an ultimate test of ecological theory; assessing the value of restoration actions is challenged by difficulties in measuring complex interactions between restored physical processes and the response of biological resources. Yet, demonstrating the value of restoration is a key to sustaining future public investment, especially in light of uncertainty of future climate change effects. At the Nisqually River Delta, a restoration partnership between the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), the Nisqually Indian Tribe (Tribe), and Ducks Unlimited culminated in re-established tidal flow to 360 ha of historic floodplain and delta representing the largest estuarine restoration in the Pacific Northwest. Restoration of this large delta was expected to result in a substantial improvement in ecological functions and services in southern Puget Sound. The goal of our scientific team, led by the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) for the project partners, was to assess the biophysical response to restoration. Science objectives were built into a monitoring framework to include hydrodynamics, geomorphology, sedimentation and nearshore processes with vegetation, invertebrate food resources, waterbird, and fisheries. Our science partners included the U. S. Geological Survey, Refuge, Tribe, non-governmental organizations, and universities representing several disciplines. Funding the science was challenging, since as with most wetland restoration projects, adequate funds are rarely included in costs. Instead, the managers and scientists worked together to raise funds through special funds and competitive grants including addressing climate change. With this funding model, a major challenge for the team was communicating and sustaining a vision to make separate multidisciplinary efforts into unified interdisciplinary science. Here, we use lessons learned from early results of the Nisqually River Delta restoration to discuss restoration science in planning processes, funding costs and approaches, monitoring versus applied studies, and advancing interdisciplinary findings from multidisciplinary efforts.
