Tulula Wetlands - Revegetation

Revegetation of Wetlands

Wetland restoration projects often require revegetation of disturbed habitats. Revegetation may involve either planting nursery stock, or allowing natural plant succession to occur. Two benefits of natural regeneration are the cost savings and the fact that native plants can be used that are genetically adapted to local site conditions. A major cost is that natural revegetation may take longer compared to artificial revegetation. We are conducting research to find the best approach to revegetating the Tulula Wetlands. To determine if nursery stock will survive in the saturated soils of Tulula, we have tracked the annual survival of red maples and four species of shrubs (silky dogwood, elderberry, red chokeberry, and black chokeberry) that were planted in 1995.

In order to assess the potential for the site to revegetate on its own, we surveyed naturally-regenerating red maple seedlings during the summer of 1996 in open and closed canopy regions of the reference bog, and in the fairways surrounding the reference bog. We established permanently marked 0.25-m2 quadrats along transects in each area (379 quadrats in the fairways, 55 in the open canopy area, and 75 in the closed canopy area). We searched quadrats for seedlings, and measured the height of each seedling. One seedling was chosen at random in each quadrat, and marked with a permanent aluminum tag so that it could be relocated for future monitoring.

In the future, we will continue monitoring the survival of all trees and shrubs planted by UNCA. We are particularly interested in survival following a rise in the water table across the site that will occur after the stream course is reconstructed and side ditches are filled.

We will also determine survival and growth of the tagged naturally regenerating red maple seedlings following restoration activities (including realignment of Tulula Creek channel). This will enable us to evaluate the impacts of a rising water table on the structure of the regenerating red maple community.


	Revegetation of Wetlands
		Wetland restoration projects often require revegetation of disturbed habitats. Revegetation may involve either planting nursery stock, or allowing natural plant succession to occur. Two benefits of natural regeneration are the cost savings and the fact that native plants can be used that are genetically adapted to local site conditions. A major cost is that natural revegetation may take longer compared to artificial revegetation. We are conducting research to find the best approach to revegetating the Tulula Wetlands. To determine if nursery stock will survive in the saturated soils of Tulula, we have tracked the annual survival of red maples and four species of shrubs (silky dogwood, elderberry, red chokeberry, and black chokeberry) that were planted in 1995.
	In order to assess the potential for the site to revegetate on its own, we surveyed naturally-regenerating red maple seedlings during the summer of 1996 in open and closed canopy regions of the reference bog, and in the fairways surrounding the reference bog. We established permanently marked 0.25-m2 quadrats along transects in each area (379 quadrats in the fairways, 55 in the open canopy area, and 75 in the closed canopy area). We searched quadrats for seedlings, and measured the height of each seedling. One seedling was chosen at random in each quadrat, and marked with a permanent aluminum tag so that it could be relocated for future monitoring. In the future, we will continue monitoring the survival of all trees and shrubs planted by UNCA. We are particularly interested in survival following a rise in the water table across the site that will occur after the stream course is reconstructed and side ditches are filled. We will also determine survival and growth of the tagged naturally regenerating red maple seedlings following restoration activities (including realignment of Tulula Creek channel). This will enable us to evaluate the impacts of a rising water table on the structure of the regenerating red maple community.