Evaluating the Long-Term Ecological Responses to Riparian Ecosystem Restoration at the Fort Benning, Georgia Military Installation
Abstract
Riparian and instream restorations are commonly implemented to improve ecosystem condition. However, very few restoration activities are monitored for multiple years to assess long-term effectiveness. At DoDs Fort Benning Military Installation in Georgia, two experimental restoration projects (ephemeral drainage revitalization and instream coarse woody debris [CWD] additions) were implemented ~14 years ago to reduce environmental impacts of military training activities. A SERDP project evaluated the short-term (i.e., 3years) effects of restoration and found that instream restoration improved some aspects of ecosystem function and community structure but not others. The objective of the current study was to re-evaluate the effect of these restoration practices on stream ecosystem processes ~14 years after implementation. Overall, the instream restorations had minimal long-term effects on stream ecosystem structure (i.e., water quality, benthic particulate organic matter, macroinvertebrates) and function (nutrient uptake, stream metabolism).While this study found minimal long-term benefits, these results are likely not applicable to all stream ecosystems. Due to the dynamic nature of the stream bed in these sandy, Coastal Plain streams, CWD additions may only have short-term benefits. Implementing this restoration technology in Coastal Plain streams may require continual addition of CWD dams; this hypothesis remains to be tested.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 30, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1135437
Entities
People
- Brian S Helms
- Dan J Isenberg
- Jack W. Feminella
- Natalie A Griffiths
- Sam Bickley
Organizations
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory