The Effects of Restoring Organic Matter, Micro-Topography and Hydrology on Hydric Soil Structure and and Functions.

New strategies for accomplishing hydric soil restoration include manipulating the field site to ensure appropriate wetland hydroperiod and hydropattern to promote the development of hydric soil properties, planting of representative wetland vegetation to hasten the return of a target wetland plant community, and adding soil or organic amendments to the current soil to provide nutrients and enhance successional patterns. The outcome of the restoration process will depend on the interactions between hydrologic restoration strategies and the physical and chemical properties of the site prior to restoration, especially the soils. Thus, a strategy that is successful at one site may not have the same results in a site with different hydrologic characteristics, drainage patterns or soil characteristics.  Likewise, a single restoration plan may not produce the same results at all points across a site if that site contains significant internal soil heterogeneity.  Several key aspects of soil characteristics must be understood and incorporated into modern wetland restoration in-order-to maintain the optimal successional trajectory that will ensure continued wetland ecosystem functions and sustainability. Restoration characteristics that should be included when considering reestablishment of wetland soil properties are as follows: (1) spatial variability in soil characteristics as it relates to restoration of ecosystem processes and vegetation patterns; (2) microtopography and its role in ecosystem function and plant survival; (3) the role of soil organic matter and organic amendments to plant survival and ecosystem functions; (4) the effect of soil texture, bulk density and compaction on vegetation responses; and (5) soil nutrient concentrations and their availability in soils.  To help assess and quantify the role of these key factors, we present several restoration case studies focused on the function of these essential soil characteristics in determining the successful return of ecosystem structure and biogeochemical processes.