Purpose of Site

The purpose of this site is to identify and describe examples of selected ecosystem engineering features or management measures and their components. This site is not intended to be a design manual, but rather to provide sufficient information to stimulate plan formulation and assist planners in identifying what’s out there and to “visualize” how a management measure or engineering feature may be applicable to their project.

Ecosystem Restoration

Federal investment into ecosystem restoration has increased considerably over the last decade and is expected to continue to increase. The wide range of ecosystem restoration needs and opportunities demands diversification of a suite of tools and management approaches used to address ecosystem restoration problems.

Traditional engineering specifications are sometimes perceived as overly rigorous for ecosystem restoration projects, as the level of risk involved may be less. This is of particular concern as unnecessary rigor in design can drive up the cost of studies and projects making them cost prohibitive and inefficient.

Planners and designers have embraced the task of tackling ecosystem restoration problems; however, often they must “start-from-scratch” in formulating alternative approaches or designs. Considerable restoration work has been done by many state and federal agencies as well private industries resulting in a wealth of information and experiences concerning ecosystem restoration. A compilation and assessment of past or ongoing restoration efforts could serve as a useful tool for future planning and design initiatives.

How the Site Works

There are a number of ways that the user can navigate this site. The user can begin a search and:

• Select a Management Measure Group - which would include Bank Treatments, Instream Practices, Coastal Measures and Other Treatments

• Select a Type of Ecosystem - which would include Lakes and Ponds, Rivers and Streams, Tidal Wetlands, and Non-Tidal Wetlands

• Select a Problem - which would include Eutrophication, Sediment, Habitat and Hydrologic Alternation

• Advanced Search - where one can pick an ecosystem type and also check types of problems listed and do a search for a list of management measures/engineering features

 

Revised 5/15/07