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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Morris, Minnesota » Soil Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #97522
Title: SOIL PROPERTIES FOR ASSESSING WETLAND RESTORATION SUCCESS IN THE PRAIRIE POTHOLE REGION

Author
item WHITED, M - USDA-NRCS-WLI
item FOSS, L - NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV.
item GLEASON, R - USDI-USGS
item Olness, Alan

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/22/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: To date, over 50,000 wetland basins have been restored in the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States. Most of the restorations have concentrated on removing drainage tiles or plugging surface ditches. The effect of accelerated sedimentation upon wetland function and restoration has not been a primary consideration. Previous measures of wetland restoration success have concentrated on the return of hydrology, plant communities, and wildlife use. We propose that soil properties can be used to assess wetland function and restoration success. Field and laboratory data were analyzed from over 200 wetlands throughout the region. Soil physical and chemical properties from restored wetlands were compared with those of natural "pristine" wetlands. The degree of sedimentation can be estimated by use of soil laboratory data. Correlation between soil morphology and laboratory data will be presented. Soil properties in restored wetlands are significantly different than those of natural wetlands.