Adaptive Management of Habitat Improvement Projects in the Niagara River

Session: 28. - Pilot Projects and Future Visions: Transdisciplinary Collaboration for Applied Research

Erin Redding, Gomez and Sullivan Engineers, [email protected]

Abstract

Since 2010, the New York Power Authority has been implementing habitat improvement projects on islands in the Niagara River near Buffalo, NY. These projects are collaborations among the hydropower industry, engineers, biologists, regulatory agencies, and local stakeholders. The goal of these projects has been to improve function and resilience of the Niagara River as a natural system.

 

The Niagara River has been developed by industry for centuries, and no pristine reference wetlands exist. Therefore, project designs at each location have been based on literature and site-specific assessments. Long-term monitoring shows that these projects are still stabilizing. Erosive wind, waves, and boat wakes have affected protective berms and emergent plantings, and reaching objectives for engineered structures and vegetative cover has been challenging. The projects have also had unanticipated benefits, such as providing breeding grounds for protected bird species. As planned, adaptive management has been essential.

 

Even as the project team works to ensure long-term success across the islands, the projects are being referenced for other habitat renewal efforts. To encourage effective restoration across the Great Lakes region, it is essential to share the successes and challenges that the project team has encountered and how the team has responded.

1. Keyword
monitoring

2. Keyword
ecosystems

3. Keyword
habitats

4. Additional Keyword
restoration

5. Additional Keyword
management

6. Additional Keyword
wetlands