SGER: Large Scale Restoration Projects as Ecological Experiments

全球淡水生态系统面临的两大威胁包括分水和外来物种。与自然资源管理者合作的科学家正在开发恢复河流生态系统的方法，并评估包括鱼类和无脊椎动物在内的本地物种是否会对恢复行动做出积极反应。这项研究使用亚利桑那州的化石溪作为一个模型系统，研究修复行动是否可以恢复当地的食物网。即将到来的修复项目包括通过退役一座大型水电站大坝和化学清除外来鱼类来恢复全部水流。这项研究将结合鱼类和无脊椎动物调查与修复处理前后食物网结构的稳定同位素分析，以评估河流在经历了一个世纪的干扰后是否可以恢复。这一案例研究的结果将适用于全国其他大型修复项目。

Two of the major threats to freshwater ecosystems worldwide include water diversions and exotic species. Scientists working with natural resource managers are developing methods for restoring stream ecosystems and evaluating whether native species, including fish and invertebrates will respond positively to restoration actions. This research uses Fossil Creek, Arizona as a model system for studying whether restoration actions can restore native food webs. Upcoming restoration projects include returning full flows by decommissioning a large hydropower dam and chemical removal of exotic fish. This study will combine fish and invertebrate surveys with stable isotope analysis of food web structure prior to and following the restoration treatments to evaluate whether rivers can be restored following a century of disturbance. Results from this case study will be applicable to other large restoration projects throughout the country.