Tidal Marsh Restoration: A Synthesis of Science and Management (The Science and Practice of Ecological Restoration Series)

"Many coastal tidal marshes have been significantly degraded by roadways and other projects that restrict tidal flows, limiting their ability to provide vital ecosystem services including support of fish and wildlife populations, flood protection, water quality maintenance, and open space. Tidal Marsh Restoration provides the scientific foundation and practical guidance necessary for coastal zone stewards to initiate salt marsh tidal restoration programs. The book compiles, synthesizes, and interprets the current state of knowledge on the science and practice of salt marsh restoration, bringing together leaders across a range of disciplines in the sciences (hydrology, soils, vegetation, zoology), engineering (hydraulics, modeling), and public policy, with coastal managers who offer an abundance of practical insight and guidance on the development of programs. The work presents in-depth information from New England and Atlantic Canada, where the practice of restoring tidal flow to salt marshes has been ongoing for decades, and shows how that experience can inform restoration efforts around the world. Students and researchers involved in restoration science will find the technical syntheses, presentation of new concepts, and identification of research needs to be especially useful as they formulate research and monitoring questions, and interpret research findings. Tidal Marsh Restoration is an essential work for managers, planners, regulators, environmental and engineering consultants, and others engaged in planning, designing, and implementing projects or programs aimed at restoring tidal flow to tide-restricted or diked salt marshes"-- "Tidal Marsh Restoration provides the scientific foundation and practical guidance necessary for coastal zone stewards to initiate salt marsh tidal restoration programs. The book compiles, synthesizes, and interprets the current state of knowledge on the science and practice of salt marsh restoration, bringing together leaders across a range of disciplines in the sciences (hydrology, soils, vegetation, zoology), engineering (hydraulics, modeling), and public policy, with coastal managers who offer an abundance of practical insight and guidance on the development of programs"-- Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 A Synthesis of Research and Practice on Restoring Tides to Salt Marshes....Pages 3-10 Front Matter....Pages 11-12 Predicting the Hydrologic Response of Salt Marshes to Tidal Restoration....Pages 13-38 Biogeochemical Responses to Tidal Restoration....Pages 39-58 Vegetation Responses to Tidal Restoration....Pages 59-80 Ecology of Phragmites australis and Responses to Tidal Restoration....Pages 81-96 A Meta-analysis of Nekton Responses to Restoration of Tide-Restricted New England Salt Marshes....Pages 97-118 Avian Community Responses to Tidal Restoration along the North Atlantic Coast of North America....Pages 119-143 Front Matter....Pages 145-145 Restoration of Tidal Flow to Degraded Tidal Wetlands in Connecticut....Pages 147-155 Salt Marsh Restoration in Rhode Island....Pages 157-164 Restoration of Tidal Flow to Salt Marshes:....Pages 165-172 Restoration of Tidal Flow to Salt Marshes: The New Hampshire Experience....Pages 173-182 Restoration of Tidal Flow to Salt Marshes:....Pages 183-190 Salt Marsh Tidal Restoration in Canada’s Maritime Provinces....Pages 191-209 Front Matter....Pages 211-211 Adaptive Management and Monitoring as Fundamental Tools to Effective Salt Marsh Restoration....Pages 213-231 Recovering Salt Marsh Ecosystem Services through Tidal Restoration....Pages 233-251 Role of Simulation Models in Understanding the Salt Marsh Restoration Process....Pages 253-276 Incorporating Innovative Engineering Solutions into Tidal Restoration Studies....Pages 277-295 Front Matter....Pages 297-297 Salt Marsh Restoration at Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts....Pages 299-314 Drakes Island Tidal Restoration....Pages 315-332 Role of Science and Partnerships in Salt Marsh Restoration at the Galilee Bird Sanctuary, Narragansett, Rhode Island....Pages 333-353 Front Matter....Pages 297-297 Restoration of Tidally Restricted Salt Marshes at Rumney Marsh, Massachusetts....Pages 355-370 Front Matter....Pages 371-371 Salt Marsh Responses to Tidal Restriction and Restoration....Pages 373-382 Back Matter....Pages 383-408