Planting, seeding, and sediment impact restoration success following dam removal

• DOI: 10.1111/rec.13506
• Publication Date: 2021-07-30T07:32:55Z
• Authors: Joshua Chenoweth; Jonathan D. Bakker; Steven A. Acker
• Keywords: Revegetation; Dam removal; Restoration Ecology

Large dam removals effectively restore geomorphic and hydrologic processes, but little is known about subsequent vegetation recovery the role of active restoration. We studied whether planting seeding affected in a dewatered reservoir, effects differed on landforms composed fine or coarse‐textured sediments. The reservoir behind former Glines Canyon Dam, which was removed from Elwha River Washington State (U.S.A.) 2011–2014. measured bare ground 2013–2017, species richness, relative frequency non‐native species, woody stem density, composition 2016. Sediment texture all response variables. Several years after seeding, reduced coarse sediments both textures. Planting increased richness. Seeding altered textures, with stronger High densities riparian plants naturally established sediments, reaching mean 34,000 stems/ha 5 removal began; density only fraction this (5,000 stems/ha) Future should incorporate sediment into their revegetation plans. can be valuable strategies for minimizing frequency, increasing establishing desirable target removal, particularly