Functional Objectives for Stream Restoration
Abstract
The National Research Council (1996) defined restoration as "the return of the form and function of an ecosystem to its predisturbance condition..." This definition presents two challenges when working in today's environment. First, the significant hydrological changes and infrastructure encroachments found in many watersheds often prevent the reestablishment of the stream form to a condition prior to disturbance. These streams have a new form consistent with the altered conditions, and may not be able to maintain functions associated with a pre-disturbance condition. Second, while the general concept of functions can be grasped by most, the specific functions provided by streams and riparian corridors have yet to be defined in a manner that can serve as a basis for assessment, design, and management. The recommendations presented in this document center on the recognition that the character of stream systems (and, thus, their value or potential to support certain uses) is a result of a set of dynamic and interrelated processes referred to as functions in this report. Fifteen critical functions were identified by a committee of U.S. and international scientists, engineers, and practitioners, and were synthesized into a framework for ecosystem evaluation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA456784
Entities
People
- J. Craig Fischenich
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center