Wetland Mitigation Types

Wetland Restoration

• Definition: Returning a degraded or former wetland to its previous wetland condition.
• Methods: Re-establishing water flow, replanting native vegetation, removing invasive species.
• Benefits and Challenges: Discuss ecological benefits and possible difficulties in restoring natural conditions.

Wetland Creation

• Definition: Developing a wetland where one did not previously exist.
• Methods: Earth-moving to create suitable wetland hydrology, planting appropriate wetland species.
• Benefits and Challenges: Highlight potential for increasing wetland areas, but note complexities in establishing a functioning ecosystem.

Wetland Enhancement

• Definition: Improving specific functions of an existing wetland.
• Methods: Altering hydrology, vegetation management, controlling pollution sources.
• Benefits and Challenges: Focus on enhancing certain ecosystem services, but risk of altering existing ecological balances.

Wetland Preservation

• Definition: Protecting existing wetlands from degradation or conversion.
• Methods: Legal protections, conservation easements, land purchases.
• Benefits and Challenges: Emphasize long-term conservation, but discuss potential conflicts with land development interests.