Water and Soil - Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration - page 95

Chapter 7
Water and Soil
Restoration projects involving plant material will always require knowledge about the require-
ments for water and the suitability of the soil as a growing medium for the plant materials.
Whether you are concerned with wetlands, forests, scrublands, or even deserts, you must know
the historical aspects of water and soil conditions. Surprisingly, a number of wetland resto-
ration/creation projects have been implemented with scant attention given to landform and
elevation. As a result, the surface elevations of these project sites have either been too low or
too high with respect to tidal influence or streamflows. The end result is a project that fails to
perform as intended. Soils are complex assemblages of organisms, mineral sediments, water,
and atmosphere that together create a growing medium. Typically, intensive farming depletes
nutrients or introduces excessive amounts of nutrients that are not needed by native plants
or that attract weeds and exotic species. Water and soil are two basic mediums that cannot
be readily assessed simply by looking. To verify your supposition, a few laboratory tests are
required to ensure the chemical constituents are within acceptable ranges for your intended
purpose.
New plantings and sowings will typically require water before becoming fully established in
arid regions or those with dry seasons. Requirements of the plant species used will determine
the duration and timing for water application, especially in areas with Mediterranean or desert
environments. Planning for water cannot be overemphasized in those regions. If you are able to
install your plantings during the appropriate rainy season, this strategy may provide the best use of
resources and labor. However, if you are not able to accomplish the needed work in the short time
prior to or during your rainfall season, then evaluate alternate strategies. Obviously, if your project
is involved with wetland ecosystems, then addressing water supply issues in detail will be required
to ensure project permanence. However, in dry landscapes, water may need to be applied until
the natural rainfall cycle begins or is sufficient to support your plantings. The decision to provide
supplemental water to your site will guide subsequent design and site preparation decisions; the
absence of supplemental water may affect the development rate.
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