Abstract
Restoration ecology has difficulties in developing ecological restoration because restoration procedures are seldom evaluated and because it is unclear where they are most effective. Therefore failures are common. The project will foster knowledge on ecosystem response to various types of restoration. This increases the possibilities for recreating and maintaining biodiversity. Because follow-up studies are time-demanding manipulative experiments will be used. These will be located to riparian ecosystems. Such systems have high natural values, are usually impacted, are targets for restoration but difficult to restore because of their complexity. The project will evaluate riparian restoration regionally and locally. According to landscape ecological theory location in the landscape is basic for ecosystem structures and processes. I predict that restoration efficiency varies with location in the catchment and with level in the riparian zone - the latter depending on variation in hydrologic conditions. The project will evaluate restoration efficiency by using plant germination, establishment and production as indicators. This is made by using phytometers. The project will be designed as a comparison between restored and impacted (unrestored) objects. The focus is on streams restored by plugging trenches, on channelized streams restored by replacing boulders and logs, and on impounded streams restored by dam removal. The project will foster a PhD student and will run for 3 years.
Sweden