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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #389346
Research Project: Sustainable Intensification of Cropping Systems on Spatially Variable Landscapes and Soils

Location: Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research

Title: Regeneration of soil microbial, physical, and chemical properties in restored bottomland hardwood forest wetlands

Author
item BRADLEY, TARYN - University Of Missouri
item Veum, Kristen
item ANDERSON, STEPHEN - University Of Missouri
item WEBB, ELIZABETH - Us Geological Survey (USGS)
item CLARK, KERRY - University Of Missouri

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/8/2021
Publication Date: 11/1/2021
Citation: Bradley, T., Veum, K.S., Anderson, S.H., Webb, E.B., Clark, K.M. 2021. Regeneration of soil microbial, physical, and chemical properties in restored bottomland hardwood forest wetlands [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting, November 7-10, 2021, Salt Lake City, Utah. Available: https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2021am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/135593

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Wetlands are critical ecosystems that maintain ecological function and provide precious ecosystem services. Over the last century, the demand for more resources has resulted in rapid land development in the nutrient rich areas of the United States and has led to massive loss of wetland ecosystems across the country. The United States Department of Agriculture implemented the Wetland Reserve Program in order to protect existing wetlands and to restore developed lands back to functional wetlands. Bottomland hardwood forest wetlands have been the focus of numerous reconstruction projects, but little is known about the long-term recovery. Fifty sites across the western watersheds of Tennessee and Kentucky were selected to study the ecological recovery time of restored wetlands by measuring soil chemical, biological, and physical properties known as soil health indicators. Each study site has unique hydrology, restoration management practices, vegetation, topography, and restoration time. Five habitat types have been distinguished within these sites: Old Growth Forest; Replanting; Natural Regeneration; Shallow Water; Reference/Remnant. The primary objectives of this study are 1) to develop an expected timeline for the recovery of soil ecological function in wetlands and 2) to help determine optimal wetland restoration practices. The sites with old growth forest habitat and those that have had longer restoration times are expected to show more favorable biological, chemical, and physical properties when compared to those with more recent disturbances.