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原文传递 The Functional Assessment of Three Wetlands Constructed by the West Virginia Division of Highways

题名：	The Functional Assessment of Three Wetlands Constructed by the West Virginia Division of Highways
作者：	Ronald Fortney, Bruce Edinger, Edwin Michael, and John Sencindiver
关键词：	Wetlands, constructed, mitigation, wetland functions, wildlife, birds, small mammals, vegetation, soils, hydrology, flooding, species diversity, highways
摘要：	Constructing new wetlands has become an acceptable means of compensating for unavoidable impacts to wetlands. However, few studies have evaluated the levels of natural functions attained by constructed wetlands. This study analyzed three wetlands constructed by the West Virginia Division of Highways by comparing selected functional attributes of constructed and nearby natural wetlands that have similar vegetation and hydrology. The attributes measured included soil nutrients levels, wildlife usage, productivity, and vascular plant, bird, and small mammal diversities. Standard methods for field studies of soils, vegetation, and wildlife were used. Constructed wetlands did not differ appreciably from reference wetlands in the species of mammals present. The species richness and diversity of vascular plants was surprising high for vascular plants. Generally, constructed and reference wetlands had similar wetland bird species diversity, including resident and migratory species. Constructed wetlands in early successional stages had lower bird diversity than a more mature constructed wetlands. For soils, natural wetlands generally had higher levels of organic carbon, while constructed wetlands had higher pH values, lower extractable acidity, and higher P values than the natural wetlands. The wetland index value increased as the constructed wetlands aged. Recommendations based on this study included: locating constructed wetlands near streams or rivers to permit overbank flooding as a source of plant propagules and nutrients and to provide an animal habitat continuum, building dike/levee systems to withstand flooding, having high Initial soil organic carbon levels, and locating mitigation wetlands away from railroads and highways to improve wildlife safety and aesthetic considerations. Overall there was evidence that DOH's efforts to construct functional wetlands have been successful, as the natural functions of constructed wetlands approached those of natural wetlands.
报告类型：	科技报告