Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 6.15
Flooding of formerly desiccated peat in the restored wetland.
in order to allow the upper sediments to oxidize and get ready for another redox cycle
during the period of winter flooding (Figure 6.15). This necessitates having good
hydrological control in order to prevent the buildup of the carbon source that will
affect the biogeochemical cycles. As a result of these water manipulations, Typha
returned in 1998 and has maintained healthy levels thereafter.
LESSONS FOR THE IRAQI MARSHLANDS
There are a number of lessons from the Hula restoration project that are applicable
to the situation in the Iraqi marshlands:
• Restoration is not over with reflooding; there is a need for ongoing supervi-
sion and monitoring (France 2003; and see chapter 8).
• It is essential to know and understand the biogeochemical cycles and
hydrology for wetland restoration to be sustained through time (Markel et
al. 1998; and see chapters 8 and 9).
• Restoration should be treated as a process rather than a product (France
2007b). In this way, restoration should be regarded as an evolving exper-
iment with a full support team, including a soil scientist, agricultural
engineer, hydrologist, biologist, tourism park planner, and more (Bays et
al. 2002).
•
To be successful, restoration projects must work with, not around or against,
the local agricultural community (see chapters 10, 11, and 16).
•
It may be necessary to accelerate species introductions and to promote alter-
native food sources to minimize local grazing impacts (see chapter 10).
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