Brian Majka Restoration Ecologist 1/16/2016. Ecological Restoration More than just killing the bad plants

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1 Brian Majka Restoration Ecologist 1/16/2016 Ecological Restoration More than just killing the bad plants

2 Restoration Ecology/Ecological Restoration Restoration Ecology is the scientific study supporting the practice of ecological restoration, which is the practice of renewing and restoring degraded, damaged, or destroyed ecosystems and habitats in the environment by active human intervention and action. Ecological Restoration is an intentional activity that initiates or accelerates the recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity, and sustainability. -Society for Ecological Restoration (SER)

3 Why is it important to understand the big picture? Need to make sure all facets of your project are considered Potential to waste resources Could do more harm than good Goals won t be accomplished and target community won t be reached

4 Renewing and restoring degraded, damaged, or destroyed ecosystems and habitats. By definition, the process begins by understanding an ecosystem or habitat and WHY it is degraded So, it starts with knowing what you have.and knowing where you want to go. Then figuring out how to get there Must be mindful of both ecosystem structure and function

5 Ecosystem Structure Biotic Flora Fauna Species richness, diversity, composition Abiotic Water Soil Climate Topography

6 Ecosystem Function Nutrient cycling Hydrologic cycle Carbon cycling Stormwater control Pollution control Energy flows

7 Begin by Understanding Your Site What do you have? Plants (Desirable vs nondesirable) Diversity Richness Structure Invasive Species Water Soils Sun/Shade Structures Slope Unique features

8 What do you want to have, and what s keeping you from getting there? Target or Reference Ecosystems MNFI Plant Community? Managing for a particular species? Wet, dry, or in between? Habitat structure and function? Invasive plants? Do you have a template?

9 What do you want to have, and what s keeping you from getting there? Sources of Degradation Wildlife Pollution Human use Invasive species Plants Animals Erosion Soil nutrients/structure Altered hydrologic regimes Climate Stochastic events

10 Whisenant 1998 So what ya do is.

11 Directing Vegetation Change Soils, hydrology, and vegetation all directly influence each other, and are therefore all strong indicators of a healthy ecosystem. Modifying any of these components will have a direct effect on the others, in both the short and long term BIG PICTURE: Restoration is not a one time event. Rather, you re setting forth processes for nature to repair itself.

12 Ecosystem Function Original Intact Ecosystem Biomass and nutrients Degraded Ecosystem Target ecosystem may be any of these, depending on goals, resources, and timeframes Number of species and ecosystem complexity Ecosystem Structure From Forestrynepal.org

13 So what ya do is. Take your existing site, target or reference ecosystem, and then come up with a plan to get where you want to go Develop a restoration plan that balances goals with resources and time frames

14 Restoration Planning Inventory your properties know what species you re trying to manage! PRIORITIZE GOALS based on expectations, plant communities, ability to succeed, and resources Consider regulatory concerns and threatened/endangered species Figure out where you re going before you start driving Prepare a long-term restoration and management plan (that s flexible!) Implementation Plan Resources Strategies Objectives Goals Vision Specific Broad

15 Restoration Planning People love to start here Inventory your properties know what species you re trying to manage! PRIORITIZE GOALS based on expectations, plant communities, ability to succeed, and resources Consider regulatory concerns and threatened/endangered species Figure out where you re going before you start driving Prepare a long-term restoration and management plan (that s flexible!) Implementation Plan Resources Strategies Objectives Goals Vision Specific Broad

16 Restoration Planning People love to start here Inventory your properties know what species you re trying to manage! PRIORITIZE GOALS based on expectations, plant communities, ability to succeed, and resources Consider regulatory concerns and threatened/endangered species Figure out where you re going before you start driving Prepare a long-term restoration and management plan (that s flexible!) People love to When they SHOULD start here start here Implementation Plan Resources Strategies Objectives Goals Vision Specific Broad

17 The Restoration Process Repeat As Needed Action Ecosystem response Observation Recalibration Revised, Repeat, or No Action Restoration Target Monitoring and Maintenance

18 Tools in the Restoration Toolbox Wildlife management Soil management Erosion control Hydrologic restoration and stormwater management Alteration of human use patterns Pollution/sediment management Vegetation management Planting Seeding Cutting Mowing Herbicide

19 Tools in the Restoration Toolbox Soil management and erosion control Add/subtract nutrients compost, fertilizer, carbon Alter soil structure sand/clay/silt/organic Slope management Erosion Control Bioengineering Sediment management Lakeshore and streambank restoration Slope management

20 Tools in the Restoration Toolbox Water management Drain tile removal Water control structures Stream management Stormwater management Raingardens/infiltration Green infrastructure Human and wildlife management Physical barriers Exclusionary vegetation Directing use patterns

21 Tools in the Restoration Toolbox Vegetation Management Planting Seeding Grazing Mowing Pulling Herbicide

22 Choosing a Veg Management Technique Plant Biology Seasonality Surrounding species Goals Resources (Time, Money, etc )

23 Choosing a Veg Management Technique Plant Biology Seasonality Surrounding species Goals Resources (Time, Money, etc )

24 A note about choosing veg management techniques Goals Make sure the technique aligns with project goals Consider things like plant genotype, plant community structure, and adjacent desirable species It s easy to do more harm than good if you don t thoroughly consider your chosen techniques Sacrifices may need to be made but make sure those are deliberate choices Sometimes it s better to wait

25 Methods of Control Tools in the Toolbox Traditional Methods Chemical Methods Spot Spraying Hand Wicking Boom/Aerial Spraying Cut Stump Drill and Fill Mechanical Methods Cutting/Mowing Hand Pulling Burning Alternative Methods Biological Methods Natural competition Introduced competitors Hydrological Methods Water level alteration Seasonality Goals Plant Biology Surrounding species Resources (Time, Money, etc )

26 Using Herbicides Select the right herbicide for the right reason Carefully consider various application techniques Spot Spraying Hand Wicking Boom/Aerial Spraying Consider social and cultural factors Apply according to the herbicide label If you don t know what you re doing don t do it Seasonality Goals Plant Biology Surrounding species Resources (Time, Money, etc )

27 Permitting An MDEQ Aquatic Nuisance Species control permit is required for any applications over standing water at the time of treatment OR below the ordinary high water line if completed along the Great Lakes shorelines Costs start at $75 for invasive species treatments More information and application forms can be found at: _3681_ ,00.html

28 Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) Using multiple techniques to meet your goals Often the most effective means of treatment Keep in mind that plants will respond differently to different techniques, depending on how and when they are applied

29 Some of my..ummm..poor decisions. Added compost to a sandy site to jump start savanna restoration. NOPE! Decided to heat up an herbicide by combining herbicides, without informing the client. NOPE! Didn t design a site for extreme weather event. WHOOPS! Overly aggressive canopy management caused loss of desirable species. OUCH! Failure to listen to what a client actually wanted (multiple times). YIKES!

30 Some things to consider BE HOLISTIC!!! Don t forget about the people side of things Not everyone s values are the same as yours Consider your actions through other s eyes Remember that for every action there is a reaction and they re not always positive It s far better to stop and think before you act than to mitigate poorly planned actions Talk to people and be open and transparent about your actions people will assume the worst if you don t talk to them directly

31 Don t let the perfect be the enemy of the good -Voltaire

32 We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. -Unknown

33 Questions? Brian Majka GEI Consultants Oriental Bittersweet