Linking wetland functional rapid assessment models with quantitative hydrological and biogeochemical measurements across a restoration chronosequence

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2013

Abstract

The need for practical, repeatable, and technically sound ecosystem assessment methods remains essential to natural resource management. Rapid assessment methodologies determining ecosystem condition and function continue expansion, especially within wetlands. Few studies determine the accuracy of rapid assessment approaches by applying quantitative parameters, especially with respect to biogeochemical functions. Functional measurements require extensive sampling and analytical expertise, beyond financial and time constraints of most restoration projects. Further, measuring biogeochemical ecosystem functions requires the coupling of abundance measures (e.g., soil nutrient concentrations) with processing or transport mechanisms (e.g., microbial activity, flood frequency). This work assessed nutrient cycling, organic C export, and water quality improvement functions applied to >300 km2 of restored bottomland hardwood forests, Mississippi River Valley. Assessment parameters (e.g., sapling shrub density, organic soil horizon thickness) and biogeochemical measures (e.g., microbial biomass C, potentially mineralizable N) were determined at 45 reforested areas and 21 control locations representing an 80-yr restoration chronosequence. Significantly higher rapid assessment outcomes were associated with increased ecosystem functionality (P = 0.001-0.029). These findings suggest that rapid assessment tools serve as reliable proxies for measurements of nutrient and biogeochemical cycling; validating the procedure examined. Assessment scores were also associated with increased restoration stand age (ps < 0.001) supporting further development of similar rapid assessments using ecosystem classification, qualitative data collection, and scaling based on reference data. The wide variety of rapid assessments in use underscores the need for validation with biogeochemical and hydrological measurements. © Soil Science Society of America.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Soil Science Society of America Journal

First Page

1442

Last Page

1451

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