Some Strategic Considerations for Habitat Restoration

1. Some Strategic Considerations for Habitat Restoration Frederick W (Rick) Kutz, Ph.D. Environmental Scientist Email: rick.kutz@comcast.net

2. Today’s Presentation • Describe Some Strategic Considerations for Habitat (Ecological) Restoration and Preservation • Riparian Buffers, Wetlands, Forest • Focus on Two Critical Elements of Strategy: • Targeting • Efficacy Monitoring

3. Importance of Eco Restoration in Mid-Atlantic Region • 2010 by 2010 Program - Chesapeake Bay Program: • Goal of Preserving or Restoring 2010 Miles of Riparian Buffer by Year 2010 in CBP Watershed • Conservation Reserve Program (USDA) • Provided $200 Million to State of MD for Riparian Buffer Restoration As a Result of Pfiesteria Outbreak • Coastal Critical Areas Law

4. Cow-Lined Riparian Buffer

5. Formerly a Salt Marsh Wetlands

6. Some Strategic Considerations for Habitat Restoration • Alliance Formation • Restoration/Preservation Strategy • Configurations • Economic Considerations • Targeting/Characterization • Evaluation and Predictive Tools • Management Guidance • Design Guidance • Performance Assessment • Economic Documentation

7. EcoTargeting • Traditional Approach in Mid-Atlantic • Establish Targeting Criteria - Watershed Basis • Landscape Attributes and Habitat Models • Surface Monitoring Data • Groundwater • Geology and Hydrology • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

8. Predicting Nesting and Stop-Over Hotspots for Migrating Birds • Result of Habitat Modeling • Major Variables of Model • Suitable Forest Habitat • Forest Interior Habitat • Forest Patch Isolation • Riparian Buffer Width • Prepared by DE Bay Estuary Project (US FWS) and MD Dept. of Natural Resources

9. Warblers – several spp. LA Waterthrust American Redstart Acadian Flycatcher Ovenbird Pileated Woodpecker Tanager – several spp. Barred Owl Red-Shouldered Hawk Brown Creeper Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher Birds Included in Model

10. Fall Migration Concentration Area, inland boundary Watershed Boundaries 1-6 species 7-12 species 13-18 species Protected Open Space Predicted Nesting and Stop-Over Hotspots for Migrating Neotropical Songbirds Maryland Coastal Bays Vicinity: Isle of Wight Bay This area represents approximately 625 acres (250 hectares). This area represents approximately 7,413 acres (3,000 hectares).

11. Efficacy Monitoring • Traditional Approach in Mid-Atlantic • Determine Whether Projects Are Effective in Their Intended Objectives – Improving Water Quality, Animal Community Structure, etc. • Monitoring (Surface) • Landscape Attributes (Remote) • Additional Watershed Approaches May Be Needed

12. An Example – Functions of Wetlands • Store Water - Flood Control • Nutrient Reduction • Sediment Reduction • Habitat for Plants and Animals • Detoxify Contaminants • Detritus Formation - Animal Food • Carbon Storage - Global Climate Change

13. Filter Strips Contour Buffers Riparian Buffers Windbreak/Shelter-belt Buffers Alley Cropping Grassed Waterway Field Borders Other Practices: Hedgerows, Stream Bank Stabilization, Etc Some Other HabitatRestoration Methods

14. Evolution, Not Revolution • New Technologies – We Should Be Using These! • EcoTargeting • Are We Getting the Most Bang for the Buck? • Efficacy Monitoring • Are We Doing the Right Things in the Right Way?