https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5102-8802
ABSTRACT
A significant amount of coastal marsh restoration work has been implemented in estuarine coastal areas in an effort to reclaim previously degraded aquatic habitats. Design approaches vary according to numerous cost and site specific parameters. This study attempts to assess the biologic function of two common approaches to restoration site design, terracing and beneficial use islands, located within an estuarine embayment in lower Galveston Bay, Texas across a five-year timeframe. Study results indicate that there are significant differences among restoration sites by design when compared to each other and to a natural reference within the same embayment. These results suggest that advancements in restoration design have important implications for coastal habitat function and resiliency. In light of climate change, relative sea level rise, ever-present funding constraints, and the ecologic and economic importance of estuarine marsh habitat, this data will be useful for restoration managers considering applicable techniques for future projects in dynamic coastal environments.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank Philip Smith and the Galveston Bay Foundation for background information regarding the restoration sites and technical contributions during the project. Thank you to numerous students and volunteers who assisted with field and laboratory work. Thank you to collaborators Tia Fink and Amanda Hackney for their direct contributions to this work leading elements of the data collection and student mentoring. Thank you also to Yihfen Yen and John Jacob for their review of this manuscript, which resulted in substantive revision and improvement to the work.