Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair
Wetlands are a vital part of the landscape and ecology of the United States, providing critical habitat for fish and wildlife; yet they are being destroyed at an alarming rate. A detailed and comprehensive analysis of wetlands management, Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair can help reverse this trend. The book begins with an historical overview of wetland destruction and repair over the past two hundred years and shows clearly how the effects on drained locations remain evident generations later. It also serves as a unique guide to aid anyone, from novice to engineer, engaged in the process of wetland restoration. Author Thomas R. Biebighauser draws from his own vast experience in building and repairing more than 900 wetlands across North America. Included are numerous photographs and case studies that highlight successes and failures of past projects. Detailed, step-by-step instructions guide the reader through each restoration project. Woven throughout are stories of people across the continent—in schools, on farms, and in national forests—who are restoring wet meadows, bogs, emergent wetlands, ephemeral wetlands, and forested wetlands, often using the same tools that destroyed them. Biebighauser also provides a number of effective strategies for initiating and improving funding for wetlands programs. Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair is essential reading for all who care about these important ecosystems.
Thomas R. Biebighauser, a wildlife biologist for the USDA Forest Service in the Daniel Boone National Forest, has taught wetlands restoration workshops across North America. He is a three-time recipient of the National Taking Wing Award.
Biebighauser's work is a thorough and accurate account about the good, the bad, and the ugly of wetland destruction and restoration. He objectively walks us through the history of wetland drainage, revealing clever solutions to dealing with soggy soil. In the process, he sets the stage for later portions of the book, where we learn how to be equally clever about bringing water back onto the landscape. The photographs are also excellent, showing historic perspective and illustrating what to do to bring wetlands back, or even put them where they never were. -- Bruce A. Kingsbury, Director, Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and
The book provides a range of interesting and useful advice on approaches to wetland creation and restoration, including adaptive management techniques and 'learning from beavers.' -- Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
This one-of-a-kind how-to manual on wetland restoration is written in non-technical, accessible language and will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in wetlands restoration. -- Northeastern Naturalist
“Thomas Biebighauser does an effective job of making the case that with the right planning and a fundamental knowledge base, ecological landscape enhancement projects involving wetlands do not need to be as nearly complex, expensive, and constrained by regulations as they often are.” --David J. Cameron, Journal of the New England Water Works Association
This is not a scientific treatise but, many will argue, much more useful. It focuses on the practical, not the academic, and the excellent array of photographs and diagrams provides clear understanding and guidance on techniques used and proposed. Biebighauser’s text is a valuable addition to the literature in showing how restoration can be achieved in practice. It manages to capture the real challenges of wetland recovery and how to meet them, using machines, human determination, skilful observation of terrain and the practical need for fund-raising. Wetland scientists, conservation and natural resource managers and water engineers are just some who will find the book a very useful practical guide and reference. -- Environmental Conservation
A wealth of detailed background information, practical advice, and real-world examples of how problems have been overcome. -- Ecological Restoration