MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract

Wetlands are important ecosystems on the earth, and they have irreplaceable functions. However, their total area are reducing due to inappropriate human activities and environment pollution. With the prevalence of the study of wetlands, scientists have been working on designing methods to artificially restore wetlands, and one of the approaches that is being studied is to add additional organic matter to saturated soils. Here an experiment of testing the applicability of organic matter approach is being introduced, and a guide of wetland restoration in terms of organic matter addition approach is provided. In the first part of this guide, an experiment of testing the effect of organic matter on soils’ morphology conducted by a capstone group under the direction of wetland professor Dr. Martin Rabenhorst in the University of Maryland is presented, and anticipated results will be analyzed. Based on the experiment, a design of adding organic matter to restore wetlands is introduced, including the analysis of different organic matter based on soil types. At the last, instructions of how to apply organic matter addition to different types soil are provided, with the knowledge of the function of organic matter, and specific steps to apply for restoration workers. This guide hopefully will inspire designers and help restoration workers, and hopefully can make some contributions on restoring better ecosystems.

(210 words)

Reader’s profile

Since restoring wetlands will need specific lands with certain types of soils, farmers who value their own farming production more than ecological value might question the method and the general idea of wetlands restoration especially back in the days some of them used to artificially drain wetlands to make more farming lands. Also, policy makers who value immediate benefits than longer sustainable significance may against the idea.

Reader’s response

What will be some impacts of restoring wetlands to the soils near the restoration site? Especially, how does it affect the arability of the land? Is the significance of restoring wetland greater than increasing food production, especially when wetland restoration take usually a good while even unpredictable? Moreover, what is the availability of organic matter that are required for certain soils? Speaking of the availability of organic matter, would not it be required to study the organic matter types distribution and soil mapping? and thus how much further study is required? At the last, since the concept of organic matter restores wetlands is the decomposition of macro organic material, are there any impacts on carbon balance and availability of farming lands?

D -- this general idea of improving a wetland is called "ecological uplift."

What might the cost be? Where do we get this organic matter?

Be sure to read about the wetlands protection laws. In our area, we tend to want to restore wetlands on the edges of the Bay, to decrease agricultural run off. We are less concerned about their arability and more about their buffering role in clean water, fish habitat, etc.