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What information should be gathered prior to implementing a meadow rewatering project?
Detailed project planning should take place before meadow rewatering projects are implemented. Initial information gathering should focus on the following at a minimum:
Identify current and historical land uses. In order to identify the underlying causes of habitat degradation at your site, current and historical land use practices should be understood and addressed in your restoration design. These may include: grazing intensity, forestry, agriculture, and urban development.
Identify and map existing vegetation. Many disturbed riparian areas contain a mix of non-native invasive plant species and native plant species. Take advantage of existing native riparian plants at your site by identifying and flagging stands of native species, and then design a plan to remove and control invasive non-native plants.
Survey for Rare, Threatened, or Endangered species. To protect special-status species from restoration activities, a qualified biologist or botanist should conduct a survey for Rare, Threatened, or Endangered plant and wildlife species at your site.
Understand the landscape context. To the degree possible, attempt to understand the extent and composition of current and historical meadow vegetation in the area. This information will be important in determining how your project fits within the surrounding landscape. Which species were typical of your site and nearby areas? Are there relatively pristine meadow areas nearby that could be used as reference sites? Reference sites can provide a template for restoration and may be useful in providing a benchmark for measuring the success of your project.
Understand local topography, hydrology, geomorphology, and soils. River hydrology and geomorphology play a major role in the establishment and maintenance of riparian vegetation. Site-specific conditions will determine which plant species are appropriate for a given flood regime and whether they will persist over time. Hydrologic information should be gathered, including: flood frequency information, water table elevation and characteristics, and water rights and diversions. Geomorphic information should be gathered, including: channel morphology, stream bank stability, sediment transport capacity, meadow soil and channel substrate characteristics, and sediment supply to the reach. Soil properties such as salinity and texture can be important and will affect plant growth and survival depending on the species. Local topography will dictate drainage and water flow, and where wetlands may develop. Depth to groundwater will determine whether seedlings will have a readily available water source during the dry season.
Determine a plant/seed source. Local seed or cuttings should be used for planting materials to preserve genetic diversity and utilize local genotypes that may contain unique adaptations to local conditions. Seeds or cuttings can be gathered near or at the site, then taken to a nursery and grown out for planting at an appropriate size. Identify and contact local native plant nurseries for guidance in gathering and growing plants for your project.
Wet Meadow Re-watering
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