Organic Matter Decomposition in Restored and Natural Wetlands.

Within the past 20 years, there has been a shift in wetland conservation efforts beyond the protection of existing wetlands to the restoration of previously altered wetlands. Through the Wetland Reserve Program, the USDA-NRCS has restored over 2.6 million acres of private land with the goal that their ecological function be similar that of natural wetlands.  A common method of restoration used in the Mid-Atlantic region has been ”scraping”, or the physical lowering of the land surface to, or below, the water table, using heavy machinery.  This procedure often results in lower carbon stocks and compaction of the soil. The goal of this project is to assess the degree to which restored wetlands are functioning as intended or have been impacted by the restoration method. As part of the Mid-Atlantic CEAP effort, ten restored and five natural, depressional, freshwater wetlands have been examined. These wetlands demonstrate seasonal fluctuations and spatial variability in saturation, and various properties will be assessed along a hydrological and topographical gradient from the seasonally ponded wetland zone to the upland. One of the properties of particular interest is the OM decomposition rate.  Decomposition rate has been estimated by measuring mass loss from buried wooden stakes. Decomposition rates will be compared with other soil properties in order to better understand factors affecting this soil ecosystem function.