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Plant-Focused Bioengineering Techniques in dynamic coastal wetlands

Plant-Focused Bioengineering Techniques in dynamic coastal wetlands. Seth Wilkinson, President & Restoration Ecologist Wilkinson Ecological Design, Inc. Why so many Coir-Based Bioengineering Products. Coir resists biological degradation in a marine environment Coir photo-degrades in sunlight

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Plant-Focused Bioengineering Techniques in dynamic coastal wetlands

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  1. Plant-Focused Bioengineering Techniques in dynamic coastal wetlands Seth Wilkinson, President & Restoration Ecologist Wilkinson Ecological Design, Inc.

  2. Why so many Coir-Based Bioengineering Products • Coir resists biological degradation in a marine environment • Coir photo-degrades in sunlight • Life-expectancy of coir is well-matched with needs to stabilize sediment sufficiently for establishment of plants in a marine environment

  3. Case Study #1 - Fiber Roll ArraySevere Destabilization Prior

  4. As slope angle was undercut, bank was re-graded to a more stable angle

  5. Installation of Fiber Rolls Using More Robust Methods

  6. Project was Tested before Completion

  7. Fiber Roll Array Excelled through Hurricane Sandy

  8. Fiber Roll Array Also Excelled through Nemo and March ‘13 Nor’easter

  9. Following Winter 2012 /’13, array was increased by 90 feet in length

  10. Fringe Salt Marsh Restorations with Coconut Fiber-Based Materials

  11. Case Study 2(a)- Goal: Mitigate End Scour & Construct Fringe Marsh

  12. Heavy Coir Erosion Control Blankets to Hold Sediment During Plant Establishment Period

  13. Initial “Lessons” – Erosion Control Blankets & Planting Not Sufficient

  14. 2nd Try - Coir Pillows are Well Vegetated Prior to Installation

  15. Importance of Fringe Marshes in Coastal Stabilization is Frequently Overlooked • Fringe Marshes can intercept storm energy & stabilize fluctuating beach elevations, which protects nearby upland resources from erosion

  16. “Simulated Salt Marsh” Pre-Vegetated Peat Shelf / Fringe Marsh

  17. After 1st Winter – Plants Dormant, Bioengineering is in Great Shape

  18. Case Study 2(a) – Vegetation did not take and project not a success

  19. Case Study 2(b)– Learning from other Wilkinson Eco. Projects in Same Estuary

  20. Initial Installation of Coir Blankets Followed by Immediate Planting

  21. Case Study 2(b) – Great Colonization in 2nd & 3rd Years

  22. Case Study 2(b) – Monitoring Data & Algae Colonization

  23. Case Study 2(b) – Storm Performance Post sandy Post nemo

  24. Combining Lessons Learned in Case Study 2a & 2b to Achieve Successful Salt Marsh Restoration

  25. Case Study 3 – Pre-Vegetated Fiber Rolls

  26. Installing Fiber Rolls with a Season’s Growth Ahead

  27. Coir Fiber Rolls are Buried to facilitate Plant Growth & Sunscreen

  28. Case Study 3– Post Sandy

  29. Case Study 3– Post Nemo

  30. Case Study 3 – 1st Growing Season

  31. Combined Strategies to Stabilize Beach Elevation and Manage Erosion

  32. Pre-Vegetated Fiber Rolls Used with Pre-Vegetated Marsh Mats

  33. The Future? Progressive Salt Marsh Creation in the Netherlands

  34. Thank you for listening

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