A review of methodologies and success indicators for coastal wetland restoration. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Qingqing; Bai, Junhong; Huang, Laibin; Gu, Binhe; Lu, Qiongqiong; Gao, Zhaoqin
• Is Part Of: Ecological indicators. Volume 60(2016)
• Page Start: 442
• Page End: 452
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Coastal wetlands -- Ecological restoration -- Success indicators -- Success indicator system; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.71405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.07.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-160X

Abstract

Highlights: We summarized the methodologies, specific techniques and success indicators of coastal wetland restoration. General mechanism and techniques for coastal wetland restoration were provided. Issues in coastal wetland restoration and evaluation were pointed out. An example for establishing success indicator system was given. Abstract: Coastal wetlands are considered to be amongst the most productive ecosystems and can provide invaluable ecological services. However, coastal wetlands are listed amongst the most threatened ecosystems suffering from anthropogenic activities. The loss or degradation of coastal wetlands has drawn a high level of attention to wetland restoration. Improvement of the structure and function of degraded, damaged and destroyed wetlands may be achieved through ecological restoration. Large numbers of restoration projects have been conducted worldwide based on different restoration goals and different methods. It is undoubtedly important to evaluate whether coastal wetland restoration is successful. However, coastal wetland restoration assessment has become challenging because of current disagreement on definitions and concepts of restoration evaluation. We reviewed the methodology of coastal wetland restoration and criteria for success evaluation, and then summarized the issues for current wetland restoration and success evaluation based on literature review. Moreover, we used an estuarine wetland affected by urbanization as a sample to demonstrate how to establish a success indicator system for guiding wetland restoration and evaluating the success of wetland restoration.