Ecosystem Recovery Across a Chronosequence of Restored Wetlands in the Platte River Valley

摘要: Wet meadows in the Platte River valley (PRV) consist of linear wetlands mesic prairie matrix systems that have been degraded and diminished for agriculture. Restoration this region is a widespread practice involves land contouring seeding native species, however ecosystem recovery following restoration has never examined. We quantified trajectories rates above- belowground plant biomass, soil physical chemical properties, C N pools chronosequence six restored wet relation to three natural wetlands. Within each site, we sampled sloughs (deeper habitats) adjacent margins (slightly higher elevation) consecutive years. Varying hydrologic regimes between habitats resulted differential patterns measurements (bulk density, mineralization) both Total aboveground biomass (TAB), root storage, total N, microbial extractable increased with years sloughs. The model predicted increase did not differ habitats, but elevations regressions were than C, MBN, (P < 0.05). Our results suggest bulk density organic matter (SOM) represent two useful, easily measured indices recovery, because they correlated many fluxes N. Furthermore, conclude most change structure function during first decade occurs shallow depths, varies subtle differences elevation associated community structure.