ISSN:1061-2971    

DOI:10.1111/j.1526-100X.1995.tb00164.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:1061-2971    

DOI:10.1111/j.1526-100X.1995.tb00165.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:1061-2971    

DOI:10.1111/j.1526-100X.1995.tb00166.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThis paper reviews the events leading to the channelization of the Kissimmee River, the physical, hydrologic, and biological effects of channelization, and the restoration movement. Between 1962 and 1971, in order to provide flood control for central and southern Florida, the 166 km‐long meandering Kissimmee River was transformed into a 90 km‐long, 10 meter‐deep, 100 meter‐wide canal. Channelization and transformation of the Kissimmee River system into a series of impoundments resulted in the loss of 12,000–14,000 ha of wetland habitat, eliminated historic water level fluctuations, and greatly modified flow characteristics. As a result, the biological communities of the river and floodplain system (vegetation, invertebrate, fish, wading bird, and waterfowl) were severely damaged. Following completion of the canal, the U.S. Geological Survey released a report documenting the environmental concerns associated with channelization of the river. This action led to the 1971 Governor's Conference on Water Management in South Florida that produced a consensus to request that steps be taken to restore the fish and wildlife resources and habitat of the Kissimmee basin. In 1976, the Florida Legislature passed the Kissimmee River Restoration Act. As a result, three major restoration and planning studies (first federal feasibility study [1978–1985], the Pool B Demonstration Project [1984–1990], and the second federal feasibility study [1990‐present] were initiated (1) to evaluate measures and provide recommendations for restoring flood‐plain wetlands and improving water quality within the Kissimmee basin, (2) to assess the feasibility of the recommended dechannelization plan, and (3) to evaluate implementation of the dechannelization plan. The recommended plan calls for the backfilling of over 35 km of C‐38, recarving of 14 km of river channel, and removal of two water‐control structures and associated levees. Restoration of the Kissimmee River ecosystem will result in the reestablishment of 104 km2of river‐floodplain ecosystem, including 70 km of river channel and 11,000 ha of wetland habitat, which is expected to benefit over 320 speci

ISSN:1061-2971    

DOI:10.1111/j.1526-100X.1995.tb00167.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractA critical element of the ongoing effort to restore the ecological integrity of Florida's Kissimmee River ecosystem is the reestablishment of pre‐channelization habitat structure and function. Restoration of habitat will form the basis for responses by most biological components of the ecosystem and will provide a key indicator of the success of the restoration effort. This paper evaluates the relative importance of a range of abiotic and biotic habitat parameters in the existing and historic Kissimmee River ecosystem and provides a conceptual framework for predicting expected spatial and temporal responses of river and floodplain habitats to the restoration project. Among the ecological factors and process that influenced the development, dynamics, and maintenance of river and floodplain habitat structure, hydrology is expected to be of central importance in eliciting restoration responses in the Kissimmee River Ecosystem. Based on the assumption that the restoration plan will reestablish historic hydrologic characteristics, predictions are made of expected responses by geomorphic and vegetative components of the Kissimmee River's habitat structure. Recommendations are made regarding key habitat parameters requiring long term tracking and analysis and utilization of a geographic information system(GIS). A hierarchical habitat classification scheme is provided as a foundation for all components of the restoration evaluation progra

ISSN:1061-2971    

DOI:10.1111/j.1526-100X.1995.tb00168.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractWhen the Kissimmee River was channelized in the 1960s and 1970s and placed under stage‐fluctuation management, the dynamic interactions between the river and the flood‐plain were essentially removed. Correspondingly, aquatic invertebrate life in the river and floodplain ecosystem shifted from a riverine to a more lacustrine fauna. A relinkage of the Kissimmee River with the floodplain following restoration will result in numerous changes to such ecologically important factors as streamflow, substrate composition, food quality and quantity, and water quality, all of which will influence invertebrate communities. These factors and their function in the ecosystem as the fauna shifts from predominantly lacustrine back to riverine are presented in a conceptual model. As an integral component of all aquatic ecosystems and a key link between primary producers and higher trophic levels, aquatic invertebrates are a valuable group with which to evaluate the recovery of the Kissimmee River. Utilization of a geographic information system mapping approach linking expected increased habitat heterogeneity and invertebrate richness with restoration efforts is suggested as an economical means of monitoring recovery of the Kissimmee River ecosys

ISSN:1061-2971    

DOI:10.1111/j.1526-100X.1995.tb00169.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractEfforts to restore fish communities of the Kissimmee River will require carefully defined criteria for assessing success. A goal of regaining communities mirroring those in the historical river may not be an appropriate target because the ecological conditions of the river before channelization are poorly known. The Kissimmee River is in a biogeographic region historically low in fish diversity, and no comparable rivers in that region remain substantially unaltered by human activity to permit their use as reference sites indicative of conditions in the Kissimmee before channelization. I propose alternative criteria for assessing restoration success emphasizing expectations for ecosystem function in similar floodplain rivers. Assessing ecosystem function will be less simple than assessing criteria such as fish condition or density of selected species. But criteria based solely on fish‐population characteristics cannot be justified quantitatively. Information integrated from several levels of biotic organization (individuals, populations, communities, and systems) should be drawn upon in making conclusions about restoration success. I develop a conceptual model to outline aspects of ecosystem function that could serve as a basis for evaluation of the restoration of fish communities of the Kissimmee River. The model focuses on the dynamics of the flux of floodplain‐channel nutrients and the movement of larvae, juvenile, and adult fishes and macroinvertebrates. The present community may be dominated more by species tolerant of low‐oxygen conditions, such as gar and bowfin, than the restored community will be. I propose that nest sites may be the limiting recruitment success of substrate spawning species in the channelized river and that these species, including sunfish and large‐mouth bass, will increase in abundance after restoration. Also, species relying on floodplain habitats, including sun‐fish species, darters, and some minnows, may also increase in frequency with restoration of floodplain‐channel hydro‐logical conditions and habitats. The observation that no species are known to have disappeared from the Kissimmee River, and its relatively simple community structure compared to rivers of comparable size elsewhere, are encouraging for prospects of successfu

ISSN:1061-2971    

DOI:10.1111/j.1526-100X.1995.tb00170.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractTwo groups of waterbirds have been chosen to assist in measuring the success of restoration of the traditional channel configuration, hydrologic regimes, and floodplain wetlands of the Kissimmee River: waterfowl (Anseriformes) and waders (Ciconiiformes). Waterfowl are dominant, swimming omnivores that use seeds, foliage, and invertebrates; waders are mainly walking predators that eat fish of various sizes. Both can be censused by well‐established air and ground techniques, and both can be used to compare post‐restoration with channelized or pre‐channelization population data (waterfowl) or bird use of channelized versus restored wetlands (waders). In addition to use of population data, species richness and regularity of occurrence should provide a basis for assessing restoration of biological integrity. Conceptual models of avian habitat use for nesting and feeding demonstrate patterns of segregation that will aid assessments for some species. Other species show high overlap in foods and habitats and will require additional measures of response. To understand these patterns and reasons underlying waterbird use, measurements of habitat type, vegetation structure, and food resources will be essential. Integration of these high trophic‐level guilds with evaluations of other system components will ensure an ecosystem perspective. Predicted responses to restoration suggest an increase in species richness and number of individuals of many

ISSN:1061-2971    

DOI:10.1111/j.1526-100X.1995.tb00171.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractRestoration of the Kissimmee River and floodplain ultimately will involve restoring 70 km of river channel and riparian zone and 11,000 ha of wetland over a period of two decades. Restoring ecosystem integrity is a crucial goal of the project, and the evaluation program is designed to assess the success of this endeavor. Major components of the riverine and floodplain ecosystem will be evaluated, guided by conceptual models of their structure and function. These studies will be referenced to historic conditions of the past and to present‐day conditions in the channelized system. Enhanced connectivity and interactions between the river and floodplain, the interplay of abiotic and biotic variables, and interactions between trophic levels will restructure the channelized river and the largely drained floodplain that now exist. The key to evaluating the success of this ambitious project will be selecting measurements of the structure and function of the river and floodplain ecosystems that are responsive to this large‐scale manipulation. The timing and duration of floodplain inundation, improved dissolved oxygen conditions, germination and establishment of wetland vegetation, and enhancement and expansion of rheophilic benthic invertebrate populations are critical initial elements of restoration. Further expected outcomes are an increase in the primary productivity of the ecosystem, expansion of the fish community into the reopened channels and onto the reflooded floodplain, and improved visitation and use by waterbirds in the restored regions. We highlight predictions of some of these key linkages and primary structural and functional attributes of the restored river and floodplain that should be measu

ISSN:1061-2971    

DOI:10.1111/j.1526-100X.1995.tb00172.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY