Climate Change Adaptation Toolkit
Wetland Management, Creation, and Restoration
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Invasive Species Management
An invasive species is one that is nonnative to the ecosystem and whose introduction causes, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Climate change and its impacts are expected to facilitate the establishment and spread of invasive species. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns that in response to temperature increases, “the habitat ranges of many North American species are moving northward in latitude and upward in elevation.” These range shifts may threaten critical habitat or may stress certain native species, in turn creating a welcoming environment for invasive species. In aquatic environments, increasing water temperatures may enable invasions of new species. As well, severe weather events involving flooding, high winds, and habitat disturbance may damage native systems, opening the door to invasive species. Adaptation to climate change requires increased efforts to prevent new invasions and to eradicate or control existing invasives. Invasive plant management can protect ecological function and support resilience to climate change. Removing or preventing the establishment of invasive species will support the integrity and function of an ecosystem and help buffer future impacts associated with climate change. It is critically important to develop practices that strengthen environmental monitoring and management of invasive species to minimize impacts on ecosystem resources as climatic conditions change. Learn more about invasive species at the following websites:
IDENTIFICATION & REPORTING Michigan Invasive Species Information Network www.misin.msu.edu Michigan Invasive Species Program www.michigan.gov/invasives CONTROL & PERMITTING Michigan Department of Environmental Quality - Aquatic Nuisance Control www.michigan.gov/anc |
Invasive Phragmites (Phragmites australis) can become the
sole dominant plant in many wetlands at the expense of
native flora and animals dependent on these native habitats.
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Stormwater Wetlands
Constructed stormwater wetlands are wetland systems designed to maximize the removal of pollutants from stormwater runoff through settling and uptake and filtering by vegetation. Constructed stormwater wetlands temporarily store runoff in relatively shallow pools that support conditions suitable for the growth of wetland plants. Stormwater wetlands are designed specifically for the purpose of treating stormwater runoff and typically have less biodiversity than natural wetlands, both in terms of plant and animal life.
Although less biodiverse than natural wetlands, they can provide adaptation functions by providing habitat, corridors, shade, microclimate benefits during hot spells, and greater aesthetic values than traditional stormwater ponds. They can provide nutrient uptake and groundwater recharge. Stormwater wetlands are much less likely to become full of algae and stagnant water, and are designed to function more like natural systems than traditional stormwater basins.
Constructed stormwater wetlands are wetland systems designed to maximize the removal of pollutants from stormwater runoff through settling and uptake and filtering by vegetation. Constructed stormwater wetlands temporarily store runoff in relatively shallow pools that support conditions suitable for the growth of wetland plants. Stormwater wetlands are designed specifically for the purpose of treating stormwater runoff and typically have less biodiversity than natural wetlands, both in terms of plant and animal life.
Although less biodiverse than natural wetlands, they can provide adaptation functions by providing habitat, corridors, shade, microclimate benefits during hot spells, and greater aesthetic values than traditional stormwater ponds. They can provide nutrient uptake and groundwater recharge. Stormwater wetlands are much less likely to become full of algae and stagnant water, and are designed to function more like natural systems than traditional stormwater basins.
Stormwater wetland at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey, Michigan. This project was funded by a grant through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
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MAINTENANCE: MODERATE
All constructed stormwater wetland components receive and/or trap debris and sediment.They should be inspected for clogging and excessive debris and sediment accumulation at least twice annually. INVESTMENT: MODERATE / HIGH The cost of establishing a constructed wetland varies depending on size and site conditions. In general, larger stormwater wetlands involve high construction, installation, and maintenance costs. Stormwater wetlands are considered relatively inexpensive compared to traditional stormwater management techniques. However, since constructed wetlands typically require more land area to be effective, land acquisition costs could result in wetlands being more expensive than other stormwater practices that require less area. |
Wetland Restoration
Wetland restoration is at the heart of many climate change adaptation and mitigation plans. Wetland restoration reestablishes or repairs the hydrology, plants, and soils of a former or degraded wetland that has been drained, filled, or otherwise modified. The purpose of wetland restoration is to restore the functions and values of wetland ecosystems that have been altered.
Climate change concerns are leading many efforts to focus wetland restoration designs to meet program goals such as flood-peak attenuation or nonpoint source runoff reduction. Wetland restoration is a key adaptation method for agricultural areas, as well. In future climate scenarios with larger storm events and longer drought periods, wetland restoration can provide essential groundwater recharge in areas where it has been lost, a significant benefit to farmers. In addition, the shade and microclimate in restored wetlands can help alleviate the harsh, hotter conditions. Restored wetlands in and around farms can be placed in areas where wetlands historically were in order to restore the lost groundwater recharge functions.
In addition, wetland restoration projects should be designed to adapt to, and withstand, the impacts of climate change. Restoring wetland hydrology typically involves breaking drainage tile lines, building a dike or embankment to retain water, or installing adjustable outlets to regulate water levels. Water level management infrastructure, such as dikes, water control structures, and pumps, need to be designed in a manner that facilitates adaptation to emulate natural wetland conditions in changing climatic conditions. This could include strategies such as development of habitat structures at multiple elevations or habitat zones to provide more adaptive capacity. Diversification of planting and seeding is also important to include plant species that are adapted to future climate conditions.
Although infrastructure that facilitates adaptation may be more expensive to develop, the long-term success of the restoration efforts will be better if it recognizes and prepares for water level and climate uncertainty.
Wetland restoration is at the heart of many climate change adaptation and mitigation plans. Wetland restoration reestablishes or repairs the hydrology, plants, and soils of a former or degraded wetland that has been drained, filled, or otherwise modified. The purpose of wetland restoration is to restore the functions and values of wetland ecosystems that have been altered.
Climate change concerns are leading many efforts to focus wetland restoration designs to meet program goals such as flood-peak attenuation or nonpoint source runoff reduction. Wetland restoration is a key adaptation method for agricultural areas, as well. In future climate scenarios with larger storm events and longer drought periods, wetland restoration can provide essential groundwater recharge in areas where it has been lost, a significant benefit to farmers. In addition, the shade and microclimate in restored wetlands can help alleviate the harsh, hotter conditions. Restored wetlands in and around farms can be placed in areas where wetlands historically were in order to restore the lost groundwater recharge functions.
In addition, wetland restoration projects should be designed to adapt to, and withstand, the impacts of climate change. Restoring wetland hydrology typically involves breaking drainage tile lines, building a dike or embankment to retain water, or installing adjustable outlets to regulate water levels. Water level management infrastructure, such as dikes, water control structures, and pumps, need to be designed in a manner that facilitates adaptation to emulate natural wetland conditions in changing climatic conditions. This could include strategies such as development of habitat structures at multiple elevations or habitat zones to provide more adaptive capacity. Diversification of planting and seeding is also important to include plant species that are adapted to future climate conditions.
Although infrastructure that facilitates adaptation may be more expensive to develop, the long-term success of the restoration efforts will be better if it recognizes and prepares for water level and climate uncertainty.
Wetland restoration project at Elizabeth Park in Trenton, Michigan. Photo Credit: Todd Marsee Michigan SeaGrant
MAINTENANCE: HIGH
Management of restored wetlands requires a long-term commitment to achieve successful, sustainable ecosystems. Vegetation often
requires active management in the years following initial establishment to either limit the spread of invasive species or promote a certain successional level of plant communities. Water levels may need to be actively managed and modified depending on conditions that may alter with climate change. Monitoring the restored wetland is key in evaluating future management strategies.
INVESTMENT: MODERATE / HIGH
The cost of wetland restoration varies greatly depending on wetland type, site conditions, and construction activities needed. State and federal agencies and conservation groups often have programs that may provide technical assistance and cost share expenses for wetland restoration.
Management of restored wetlands requires a long-term commitment to achieve successful, sustainable ecosystems. Vegetation often
requires active management in the years following initial establishment to either limit the spread of invasive species or promote a certain successional level of plant communities. Water levels may need to be actively managed and modified depending on conditions that may alter with climate change. Monitoring the restored wetland is key in evaluating future management strategies.
INVESTMENT: MODERATE / HIGH
The cost of wetland restoration varies greatly depending on wetland type, site conditions, and construction activities needed. State and federal agencies and conservation groups often have programs that may provide technical assistance and cost share expenses for wetland restoration.
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Landscape Level Wetland Assessments
The Landscape Level Wetland Functional Assessment (LLWFA) is a tool to identify areas to target wetland protection and restoration efforts. The LLWFA is a process using spatial data to prioritize wetland protection and restoration based on functions the wetland provides. Functions could include floodwater storage, stream flow maintenance, sediment retention, nutrient transformation, and shoreline stabilization. The resulting analysis can be used to provide a generalized map of current wetland functions within a watershed as well as the loss of wetland function associated with past land use changes. The information can be used to identify potential wetland restoration areas, but more importantly, to target wetland restoration by selecting and pursuing optimal locations for cumulative functional value. As a result, you can help prioritize wetlands for protection or restoration based on how well those wetlands serve specific functions. This tool is especially useful for farmers to identify priority locations for wetland restoration for groundwater recharge in heavy agricultural areas. |
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The Landscape Level Wetland Functional Assessment (LLWFA) has been completed for several watersheds in Michigan and can be accessed through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
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Funding for the development of this webpage provided, in part, by the Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program, Office of the Great Lakes, Department of Environmental Quality, under the National Coastal Zone Management Program, through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Environmental Quality and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. |
