Riparian Ecosystem Creation and Restoration:
A Literature Summary

by

Karen M. Manci
and
Karen A. Schneller-McDonald, Project Officer

September 1989

Abstract

Compared to other wetland types (e.g., coastal wetlands), projects and techniques involving creation or restoration of riparian ecosystems are not well documented. To provide a source of currently available literature, riparian ecosystem information from 92 records (primarily published papers or reports) in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Wetland Creation/Restoration (WCR) Data Base was used to develop a literature summary of creation and restoration of riparian ecosystems. The summary provides an overview of the status of riparian ecosystems in the U.S., a discussion of several riparian functions, and a review of some techniques used for planning, implementing, monitoring, and measuring project success of riparian ecosystem creation/restoration efforts. Case studies of various riparian ecosystem creation or restoration projects are used to demonstrate these techniques and to report some results of their use. Several well-documented case studies are discussed in detail to illustrate more extensive efforts to plan, implement, or monitor riparian ecosystem creation/restoration projects.

Manci, Karen M.  1989.  Riparian ecosystem creation and restoration: A 
     literature summary.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report  
     89(20):1-59.

Manci, Karen M.  1989.  Riparian ecosystem creation and restoration: A 
     literature summary.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report  
     89(20):1-59.  Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.
     http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/habitat/ripareco/index.htm
     (Version 16JUL97).

Table of Contents

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
  • Literature Focus
  • Status of Riparian Ecosystems in the United States
  • Costs of Creation/Restoration
• Functions
  • Fish and Wildlife Habitat
  • Hydrologic Flow
  • Erosion Control
  • Water Quality Improvement
• Planning
  • Goals and Objectives
  • Baseline Data
  • Design
• Techniques
  • Planting
  • Fencing
  • Landforming
  • Installing Instream Devices
  • Treating Soil
• Monitoring
• Evaluating Success
• Case Studies
  • Lower Colorado River
  • Des Plaines River Wetlands Demonstration Project
  • Agrico Swamp Reclamation Project
• Discussion
• References

Tables

• Table 1 -- Percentage of the 92 riparian ecosystem creation/restoration records
• Table 2 -- Some experimental field studies and smaller-scale case examples
• Table 3 -- Three well-documented case studies of riparian ecosystem creation/ restoration projects
• Table 4 -- Riparian ecosystem creation/restoration information availability and need

Author Information

Karen M. Manci
TGS Technology, Inc.
P.O. Box 9076
Fort Collins, CO 80525-0800

Karen A. Schneller-McDonald - Project Officer
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
National Ecology Research Center
2627 Redwing Road
Fort Collins, CO 80526-2899

As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interests of all our people. The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration.

Disclaimer

The opinions and recommendations expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nor does the mention of trade names constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the Federal Government.