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A mangrove creek restoration plan utilizing hydraulic modeling
Darryl E Marois1, William J Mitsch1
1Everglades Wetland Research Park, Florida Gulf Coast University, 4940 Bayshore Drive, Naples Florida 34112-7336 and School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
Ecological Engineering
|December 12, 2017
Summary
Mangrove restoration in Florida is crucial due to urban development. A proposed creek extension would restore natural flooding to mangrove forests while protecting brackish marshes.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Hydrology
Background:
- Mangrove ecosystems provide vital services but face global threats.
- Urban development in South Florida has severely degraded mangrove habitats.
- Mangrove forest restoration is a critical research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess historical and current hydrologic conditions in a South Florida mangrove system.
- To propose and evaluate a mangrove creek restoration plan.
- To determine the hydrologic impacts of the proposed restoration.
Main Methods:
- Field sampling and remote sensing were used to analyze hydrologic conditions.
- A hydraulic model of the mangrove creek was developed and calibrated.
- Simulations were run to assess the effects of the proposed creek extension.
Main Results:
- Urban development significantly altered the natural hydrology of the studied mangrove system.
- The proposed 1.1 km creek extension would restore a semi-diurnal flooding regime to most of the mangrove forest.
- The restoration plan would maintain acceptable salinity levels in the adjacent brackish marsh.
Conclusions:
- Combining field data and hydraulic modeling is effective for designing mangrove restoration.
- The proposed creek restoration plan can successfully re-establish natural hydrologic processes.
- Restoration efforts are essential for the long-term health of mangrove ecosystems.
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