A Baseline Study of Edaphic Characteristics, Vegetation Structure, and Recruitment of Native Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum (L). Rich. Var. distichum) in the Newly Restored Wetland of the VCU Rice Rivers Center

In theory, the ideal of ecological restoration is to reestablish a completely functioning ecosystem, however restoration success is often elusive (Stanturf et al. 2001). There is a significant gap in the current research on the impacts of restoration management of restored wetlands on ecosystem functions, especially biogeochemical cycling (Bernal & Mitsch 2013). Furthermore, there are many questions about management techniques when it comes to ecological engineering versus self-design (Bernal & Mitsch, 2013). However, we do know that it is critical to understand the species’ life history, habitat template, and spatio temporal scope when attempting to re-establish populations (Lake et al. 2007). Since resources for conservation and restoration of wetlands are limiting there is a great need to fully understand both the biogeochemical cycling and life history strategies of recruitment and population expansion of target wetland species in restored wetlands in order to have the best chance of restoration success (Mitsch & Gosselink 2007)