Identifying priority ecosystem services in tidal wetland restoration.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Conservation Biology
• Ecosystem Management

Background:

• Classification systems aid in identifying and quantifying relationships and spatial patterns for ecosystem restoration.
• Ecosystem restoration aims to improve human health and well-being through enhanced ecosystem services.
• Standardized approaches are needed to assess the benefits of restoration efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a systematic, top-down approach for leveraging ecosystem services classification systems in restoration decisions.
• To identify ecosystem services relevant to tidal wetland restoration using the National Ecosystem Service Classification System Plus (NESCS Plus).
• To examine regional and organizational differences in perceived benefits and beneficiaries of tidal wetland restoration.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the National Ecosystem Service Classification System Plus (NESCS Plus) for a top-down classification.
• Analyzed tidal wetland management documents from federal, state, and conservation organizations across three US regions.
• Employed automated document analysis to quantify mentions of wetland types, beneficiaries, and ecological end products (EEPs).

Main Results:

• The most frequently identified combination was the EEP 'naturalness' benefiting 'people who care (existence)' across all regions and organizations.
• The Mid-Atlantic region and land steward organizations showed higher mentions of ecosystem services.
• EEPs were generally associated with 'tidal wetlands' as a general category rather than specific wetland types.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a transferable approach for identifying and comparing ecosystem service priorities in restoration.
• Results can inform the setting of ecosystem service-related goals for tidal wetland restoration projects.
• Understanding regional and organizational differences is crucial for effective restoration planning and benefit realization.