Spring Peeper Meadow: revegetation practices in a seasonal wetland restoration in Minnesota

Published source details Bohnen J.L. & Galatowitsch S.M. (2005) Spring Peeper Meadow: revegetation practices in a seasonal wetland restoration in Minnesota. Ecological Restoration, 23, 172-181.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Restore/create freshwater marshes or swamps (multiple actions) Action Link

Restore/create freshwater marshes or swamps (multiple actions)

A study in 1995–2000 of an ephemeral wetland restoration site on farmland in Minnesota, USA (Bohnen & Galatowitsch 2005) reported that following multiple interventions, the site developed vegetation cover, including some naturally colonizing species and some wetland species. Approximately five years after restoration began, 256 plant species were recorded in the site. Of these, 112 had been introduced as plants or seeds whilst 144 had colonized completely on their own. There were 147 wetland species. Amongst the planted/sown species, establishment success and abundance varied between wetland zones. The most abundant species in each zone were broadleaf arrowhead Sagittaria latifolia (wettest, emergent marsh zone; 25–49% average cover), bluejoint Calamagrostis canadensis and two forbs (sedge meadow zone; each 5–24% average cover) and black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta (wet grassland zone; 25–49% average cover). Methods: From August 1995, multiple interventions were carried out to restore a zoned wetland on former agricultural land: applying herbicide, prescribed burning and physical removal to control invasive plants, cutting and applying herbicide to woody plants, breaking drainage systems to rewet the site, and sowing (autumn 1996) and planting (summer 1997) >100 plant species found in local wetlands. In summer 2000, vegetation was surveyed across the wetland in 28 monitoring units.

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)