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Reed Canary Grass Adaptive Management Project

USGS Priority Ecosystems Initiative-Platte River

Risk Analysis of Introduced Species NSF IGERT

Spring Peeper Meadow Restoration

Assessing Wetland Quality withe Ecological Indicators

"Speaking of Science" Interview with S. Galatowitsch

Research Projects & Publications

COMMUNITIY REASSEMBLY
The decision of whether to plant or not should be made based on knowledge of colonization efficiency, which has not been available for most ecosystems. Our research has explored colonization efficiency in two ecosystems: prairie wetlands of the midcontinental U.S. and headwater riparian forests of the Western Cape, South Africa. In both cases, ambitious goals for national programs were predicated on the assumption that native plants will efficiently colonize restoration sites. Our interest has been to determine the extent to which this is true and to determine the factors that govern recolonization.

Kettenring, K. and S. Galatowitsch. 2007. Tools for Carex revegetation in freshwater wetlands: understanding dormancy loss and germination temperature requirements. Plant Ecology (In press).

Richardson, D.M., P.M. Holmes, K.J. Eisler, S.M. Galatowitsch, J.C. Stromberg, S.P. Kirkman, P. Pysek, and R.J. Hobbs. 2007. Riparian vegetation: degradation, alien plant invasions, and restoration prospects. Diversity and Distributions 13: 126-139.

Galatowitsch, S.M. 2006. Restoring prairie pothole wetlands: does the species pool concept offer decision-making guidance for revegetation? Applied Vegetation Science 9: 261-270.

Kettenring, K., G. Gardner and S.M. Galatowitsch. 2006. Effect of light on seed germination of eight wetland Carex species. Annals of Botany 98:869-874.

Galatowitsch, S.M. and D.M. Richardson. 2005 Riparian scrub recover after clearing of invasive alien trees in headwater streams of the Western Cape , South Africa. Biological Conservation. 122: 509-521.

Mulhouse , J.M. and S.M. Galatowitsch. 2003. Revegetation of prairie pothole wetlands in the midcontinental US: twelve years post-reflooding. Plant Ecology 169: 143-159.

Lehtinen, R.M. and S.M. Galatowitsch. 2001. Colonization of restored wetlands by amphibians in Minnesota. American Midland Naturalist 145: 388-396.

Galatowitsch, S.M. and L.A. Biederman. 1998. Vegetation and seedbank composition of temporarily flooded Carex meadows and implications for restoration. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 24: 253-270.

Galatowitsch, S.M and A.G. van der Valk. 1996. Characteristics of newly restored prairie potholes. Wetlands 16: 75-83.

Galatowitsch, S.M. and A.G. van der Valk. 1996. Vegetation and environmental conditions in recently restored wetlands in the prairie pothole region of the U.S. Vegetatio 126: 89-99.

Galatowitsch, S.M. and A.G. van der Valk. 1996. The vegetation of restored and natural prairie wetlands. Ecological Applications 6: 102-112.

Galatowitsch, S.M. and A.G. van der Valk. 1995. Natural revegetation during restoration of wetlands in the southern prairie pothole region of North America. pp. 129-142 In Wheeler, B.D., S.S. Shaw, W.J. Foyt, and R.A. Robertson (eds.), Restoration of Temperate Wetlands. John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, England.

ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY AFTER INVASIVE SPECIES ERADICATION
Our studies of community reassembly and revegetation practices have led us to conclude that invasive perennial plants are as likely to govern resulting plant composition as are environmental conditions. Our work has focused on both improving invasive species control tactics and on managing ecosystems after invasive species are removed. Much of our focus has been on reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) that has become increasingly widespread in temperate North American wetlands in recent decades. We have investigated the role of competition of light and nitrogen as possible mechanisms to exploit for restoration.

Restoration of indigenous vegetation following invasive species removal is prone to failure, especially in riparian corridors where disturbances and propagule transport favor rapid reinvasion. In 2007, we (with C. Adams at UFlorida) launched a project to explore the use of adaptive management to develop large-scale restoration of floodplain forests and meadows on National Wildlife Refuges. In 2008, we (with D. Larson, USGS) anticipate beginning research on restoring active channels within the Platte River ( Nebraska). This system was recently invaded by Phragmites australis, threatening critical habitat for several endangered species, including the whooping crane. The Phalaris National Wildlife Refuge and Phragmites Platte River project both will capitalize on coupling field studies with modeling. I am also taking this approach for South African riparian systems, developing a frame-based model that compares the effectiveness of various Acacia clearing strategies for promoting the recolonization of indigenous vegetation. The model takes advantage of the knowledge of Acacia growth and removal costs from South African agencies responsible for these restorations.

Perry, L.G. and S.M. Galatowitsch. 2006. Light competition for invasive species control: A model of cover crop–weed competition and implications for Phalaris arundinacea control in sedge meadow wetlands. Euphytica 148: 121-134.

Reinhardt, C.H. and S.M. Galatowitsch. 2006. Increasing the effectiveness of Phalaris aundinacea L. (reed canary grass) control in wet meadow restorations. Restoration Ecology 14: 441-451.

Reinhardt Adams, C. and S. M. Galatowitsch. 2005. Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass): rapid growth and growth pattern in conditions approximating newly restored wetlands. Ecoscience 12: 569-573.

Perry, L.G., S.M. Galatowitsch, and C.J. Rosen. 2004. Competitive control of invasive vegetation: a native wetland sedge suppresses Phalaris arundinacea in carbon-enriched soil. Journal of Applied Ecology 41: 151-162.

Perry, L.G. and S.M. Galatowitsch. 2004. The influence of light availability on competition between Phalaris arundinacea and a native wetland sedge. Plant Ecology 170: 73-81.

Perry, L.G. and S.M. Galatowitsch. 2003. A test of two annual cover crops for controlling Phalaris arundinacea invasion in restored sedge meadow wetlands. Restoration Ecology 11: 297-307.

Perry, L.G., C. Neuhauser, and S. M. Galatowitsch. 2003. Founder control and coexistence in a simple model of asymmetric competition for light. Journal of Theoretical Biology 222: 425-436.

Green, E.K. and S.M. Galatowitsch. 2002 Effects of Phalaris arundinacea and nitrate-N addition on wetland plant community establishment. Journal of Applied Ecology 39: 134-144.

Green, E.K. and S.M. Galatowitsch. 2001. Differences in wetland plant community establishment with additions of nitrate-N and invasive competitors (Phalaris arundinacea L. and Typha x glauca Godr.). Canadian Journal of Botany 79: 170-178.

Galatowitsch, S.M., N.O. Anderson, P.A. Ascher. 1999. Invasiveness in wetland plants of temperate North America. Wetlands 19: 733-755.

ASSESSING RISKS OF INTRODUCED SPECIES
The growing interest in water gardening, wetland and lake restorations, and aquarium hobbies has triggered dramatic growth in the aquatic plant segment of the horticulture industry in the US. Increased commercial availability of aquatic plants could support efforts to revegetate lakeshore and wetlands. Many are concerned, however, that what the public can buy and put (either deliberately or inadvertently) in public waters ranges from locally suitable native species to prohibited exotic species. We conducted a pair of studies as a cooperative project with SeaGrant and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, to begin to assess the risks of introduced aquatic plants. We also have explored (with Neil Anderson) how risks of invasion can be reduced during domestication of new horticultural crops. This research topic will receive more attention in the future as part of the NSF IGERT on Risk Analysis of Introduced Species and Genotypes.

Anderson, N., Galatowitsch, S., and N. Gomez. 2006. Selection strategies to reduce invasive potential in introduced plants. Euphytica 148: 203-216.

Anderson, N., Gomez, N. and S. Galatowitsch. 2006. A non-invasive crop ideotype to reduce invasive potential. Euphytica 148: 185-202.

Maki, K.G. and S.M. Galatowitsch. 2004. Movement of invasive aquatic plants into Minnesota (USA) through horticultural trade. Biological Conservation 118: 389-396.

Van Gaal, T., S.M. Galatowitsch, and M. Strefeler. 1998. Ecological consequences of hybridization between a wild species (Echinacea purpurea) and related cultivar (E. purpurea “White Swan’). Scientia Horticulturae 76:73-88.

IMPROVING REVEGETATION PRACTICE
Restoration sites that are likely to experience long lags to native plant colonization are candidates for seeding or planting, but whether this will be feasible to pursue depends on several factors. Plants or seeds for a reasonable diversity of species need to be available (usually commercially), these species need to be available in sufficient quantities, and they need to survive establishment. Problems with availability and establishment success have plagued many restorations. Availability is unlikely to improve until restorationists are confident that the extra cost will improve success. Learning how to maximize establishment success of planting and seeding has been an important focus for our research program. In 1996, we restored a demonstration wetland at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to test ideas about best restoration practices. We have studied ways to improve practice in prairie wetlands, as well as in lakeshores, South African streams and in oil and gas roads.

Galatowitsch, S.M. 2008. Seedling establishment in restored ecosystems. Chapter 15: Seedling Ecology and Evolution. M. Leck and T. Parker (Ed.). Cambridge Press, Forthcoming.

Budelsky, R.A. and S.M. Galatowitsch. 2004. Establishment of C. stricta seedlings in experimental wetlands with implications for restoration. Plant Ecology 175: 91-105.

Budelsky, R. and S. Galatowitsch. 2000. Effects of water regime and competition on the establishment of a native sedge, Carex lacustris, in restored wetlands. Journal of Applied Ecology 37: 971-985.

Bohnen, J. and S. Galatowitsch. 2001. Restoration of wetland plant communities. P 187-206, Chapter 18 In R. Rader, D. Batzer and S. Wissinger (Ed.). Biomonitoring and management of North American Freshwater Wetlands. John Wiley and Sons, NY.

Yetka, L.A. and S.M. Galatowitsch. 1999. Factors affecting revegetation of Carex lacustris Willd. and Carex stricta Lam. from rhizomes. Restoration Ecology 7: 162-171. Wetlands 16: 75-83.

Budelsky, R.A. and S.M. Galatowitsch. 1999. Effects of moisture, temperature, and time on seed germination of five wetland Carices: implications for restoration. Restoration Ecology 7:86-97.

Bohnen, J., S. Galatowitsch, and P. Olin. 1999. Horticultural practices in sedge meadow restoration. P. 177-184. In Springer, J.T. (Ed.), Proceedings of the 16th North American Prairie Conference, University of Nebraska at Kearney, July 1998.

Galatowitsch, S.M., R. Budelsky, and L. Yetka. 1999. Revegetation strategies for northern temperate glacial marshes and meadows. Pp. 225-241 In Streever, W. J. (ed.), An International Perspective on Wetland Rehabilitation. Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Galatowitsch, S.M. and A.G. van der Valk. 1994. Restoring Prairie Wetlands: An Ecological Approach. Iowa State University Press. 246 p. (Second Printing, 1998)

ECOLOGICAL MONITORING
Periodic monitoring of key ecosystem traits is necessary to determine whether restorations are becoming more similar to their natural counterparts over time. What traits should be measured? How often? Identifying metrics that reflect the quality of wetlands was an early focus of our research.

Miklovic, L.G. and S.M. Galatowitsch. 2005. Effects of NaCl and Typha angustifolia on marsh community establishment: a greenhouse study. Wetlands 25: 420-429.

Mayer, P. and S. Galatowitsch. 2001. Assessing the ecosystem integrity of restored prairie wetlands from species production -diversity relationships. Hydrobiologia 443 (1/3): 177-185.

Whited, D.C., S.M. Galatowitsch, J.R. Tester, K. Schik, R. Lehtinen, and J. Husveth. 2000. Importance of local and regional factors in predicting effective conservation planning strategies for wetland bird communities in agriculture and urban landscapes. Landscape and Urban Planning 49: 49-65.

Mayer, P. and S. Galatowitsch. 1999. Diatom communities as ecological indicators of recovery in restored prairie wetlands. Wetlands 19: 765-774.

Galatowitsch, S.M., D.C. Whited, R.M. Lehtinen, J. Husveth, and K. Schik. 1999. The vegetation of wet meadows in relation to their land use. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 60: 121-144.

Galatowitsch, S.M., D.C. Whited, and J.R. Tester. 1999. Development of community metrics to evaluate recovery in Minnesota wetlands. Journal of Aquatic Ecosystem Stress and Recovery 6: 213-234.

Lehtinen, R.M., S.M. Galatowitsch, and J.R. Tester. 1999. Consequences of habitat loss and fragmentation for wetland amphibian assemblages. Wetlands 19: 1-12.

Mensing, D.M., S.M. Galatowitsch, and J.R. Tester. 1998. Anthropogenic effects on the biodiversity of riparian wetlands of a northern temperate landscape. Journal of Environmental Management 53: 349-377.

RESTORATION PLANNING
The following publications sythesize information on restoration to develop new or improved approaches for restoration decision-making .

Detenbeck, N., S.M. Galatowitsch, J. Atkinson, H. Ball. 1999. Evaluating perturbations and developing restoration strategies for inland wetlands in the Great Lakes Basin. Wetlands 19: 789-820.

Geist, C. and S. M. Galatowitsch. 1999. A reciprocal model for meeting ecological and human needs in restoration projects. Conservation Biology 13: 970-979.

Galatowitsch, S.M. 1998. Ecological design for environmental problem solving. Landscape Journal, Special Issue, Ecorevelatory Design: Nature Constructed/ Nature Revealed, p. 99-107.

Galatowitsch, S.M., A.G. van der Valk, and R.A. Budelsky. 1998. Decision-making for prairie wetland restorations. Great Plains Research 8: 137-156.

Galatowitsch, S.M. 1990. Using the original land survey notes to reconstruct presettlement landscapes in the American west. Great Basin Naturalist 50: 181-191.