Ecosystem Restoration Flashcards

Which soil characteristic is most important to evaluate before attempting wetland restoration on a converted agricultural field?

Answer: Presence of hydric soil indicators confirming historical wetland conditions

Hydric soil indicators confirm that the site historically supported wetland conditions and has appropriate soil morphology to sustain restored hydrology and vegetation.

What is 'compensatory mitigation' in the context of Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting?

Answer: Restoring, creating, or enhancing wetlands to offset permitted wetland losses

Compensatory mitigation requires the permittee to offset unavoidable wetland impacts through restoration, creation, enhancement, or preservation of equivalent ecological value.

Which functional assessment method is commonly used by the US Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate wetland restoration success?

Answer: Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) approach

The HGM approach classifies wetlands by geomorphic setting and water source, then assesses functions relative to reference standards for that wetland class.

In the context of stream and wetland restoration, what does 'floodplain reconnection' mean?

Answer: Removing or lowering stream bank constraints to allow floodwaters to spread onto the historical floodplain

Floodplain reconnection removes berms, levees, or incised channel conditions that prevent lateral hydrologic exchange between the stream and its historic floodplain.

Which performance standard is typically required at a 5-year monitoring checkpoint for a created or restored wetland mitigation site?

Answer: 70–80% areal cover of native hydrophytic vegetation and no more than 10–20% invasive cover

Standard mitigation performance criteria typically require 70–80% native hydrophytic vegetation cover and control of invasive species by year 5 of monitoring.

What ecological concept describes the tendency of a restored wetland to develop toward a stable community composition over time?

Answer: Hydrarch succession

Hydrarch succession is the progression of aquatic and wetland plant communities from open water toward more terrestrial stages as organic matter accumulates and conditions change.

Which practice best controls sediment input to a restored wetland during the construction phase?

Answer: Installing silt fences, sediment basins, and temporary vegetation on disturbed soils

Erosion and sediment control best management practices (silt fences, sediment basins, and temporary seeding) prevent excessive sediment delivery that can smother planted vegetation and clog hydrology.