Why
Research is Important
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090510225339im_/http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration/images/spacer.gif) |
A diver examines
the growth of recently transplanted kelp to determine if restoration
efforts are succeeding. |
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A successful restoration project is the direct result
of research by scientists who begin by determining what
the habitat really "looked like" before it
was altered either physically or chemically.
This research is fundamental to establishing success
measures and actual success of a restoration project
because it evaluates
- the structure of the habitat in terms of plants,
animals, sediment and water regimes or hydrology.
- the linkages between or the processes going on between
habitats which make that habitat valuable to living
marine resources.
This scientific research has provided those engaged
in restoration the ability to make sound recommendations
on how to approach restoration of a variety of habitat
types such as salt marshes, seagrasses, mangroves and
coral reefs. In many instances research also has provided
restoration specialists the ability to determine whether
restoration is going according to plan, or not, and
if a correction in the restoration action is necessary.
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