Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Response of aquatic vegetation communities and other wetland cover types to floodplain restoration at Emiquon Preserve

  • RIVER FLOODPLAIN RESTORATION
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

More than half of the natural wetlands in the Illinois River valley (IRV) have been lost through conversion of floodplain wetlands and lakes to drainage and levee districts for agricultural production. During 2007–2013, we monitored the response of wetland vegetation communities to restoration at Emiquon Preserve, a former floodplain that was drained and farmed for more than 80 years. Spatial coverage of wetland vegetation and other cover types rapidly expanded from 252 ha in 2007 to 1,944 ha in 2013 (mean 1,512 ± 239 ha) with little supplemental planting or hydrological management. Restored vegetation emulated aquatic plant communities that were largely eliminated from the IRV, most importantly floating-leaved and submersed aquatic vegetation. Mean annual wetland cover included aquatic bed (44%), open water (20%), persistent emergent vegetation (10%), hemi-marsh (10%), and nonpersistent emergent vegetation (9%). Average moist-soil seed and tuber density was similar to managed wetlands in the IRV (mean 724 ± 224 kg/ha). A viable option for restoration of diverse aquatic macrophyte communities within degraded wetlands of large river systems includes passive restoration of hydrology and vegetation behind levees while maintaining infrastructure to facilitate drawdowns when necessary or to mimic historical conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bajer, P. G., G. Sullivan & P. W. Sorenson, 2009. Effects of a rapidly increasing population of common carp on vegetative cover and waterfowl in a recently restored Midwestern shallow lake. Hydrobiologia 632: 235–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beatty, W. S., E. B. Webb, D. C. Kesler, A. H. Raedeke, L. W. Naylor & D. D. Humburg, 2014. Landscape effects on mallard habitat selection at multiple spatial scales during the non-breeding period. Landscape Ecology 29: 989–1000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellrose, F. C., 1941. Duck food plants of the Illinois River valley. Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin 21: 235–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bellrose, F. C., F. L. Paveglio Jr. & D. W. Steffeck, 1979. Waterfowl populations and the changing environment of the Illinois River valley. Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin 32: 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bellrose, F. C., S. P. Havera, F. L. Paveglio, Jr. & D. W. Steffeck, 1983. The fate of lakes in the Illinois River valley. Illinois Natural History Survey Biological Notes 119.

  • Bohm, W., 1979. Methods of studying root systems. Springer, Berlin.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Bowyer, M. W., J. D. Stafford, A. P. Yetter, C. S. Hine, M. M. Horath & S. P. Havera, 2005. Moist-soil plant seed production for waterfowl at Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois. American Midland Naturalist 154: 331–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brock, M. A., D. L. Nielsen, R. J. Shiel, J. D. Green & J. D. Langley, 2003. Drought and aquatic community resilience: the role of eggs and seeds in sediments of temporary wetlands. Freshwater Biology 48: 1207–1218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casanova, M. T., 2012. Does cereal crop agriculture in dry swamps damage aquatic plant communities? Aquatic Botany 103: 54–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casper, A. F., T. D. VanMiddlesworth, N. N. McClelland & G. G. Sass, 2016. Response of submerged aquatic vegetation to 7 years of floodplain restoration. Hydrobiologia (In Review).

  • Central Valley Joint Venture, 2006. Central Valley Joint Venture implementation plan – conserving bird habitat. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento, CA.

  • Changnon, S. A. & A. Black, 2009. 2008: a record wet and stormy year in Illinois. Report of Investigation 117. Illinois State Water Survey, Champaign, IL.

  • Changnon, S. A., J. Angel & D. Kristovich, 2010. The unusual weather of 2009 in Illinois created major economic impacts. Report of Investigation 120. Illinois State Water Survey, Champaign, IL.

  • Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet & E. T. LaRoe, 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish Wildlife Service FWS/OBS 79/31. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.

  • Crook, S. L., W. C. Conway, C. D. Mason & K. J. Kraai, 2009. Winter time-activity budgets of diving ducks on eastern Texas reservoirs. Waterbirds 32: 548–558.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, T. E., 1990. Wetlands losses in the United States, 1780s to 1980s. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC.

  • Fredrickson, L. H. & T. S. Taylor, 1982. Management of seasonally flooded impoundments for wildlife. United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Resource Publication 148, Washington, DC.

  • Galat, D. L., L. H. Fredrickson, D. D. Humburg, K. T. Bataille, J. R. Bodie, J. Dohrenwend, G. T. Gelwicks, J. E. Havel, D. L. Helmers, J. B. Hooker, J. R. Jones, M. F. Knowlton, J. Kubisiak, J. Mazourek, A. C. McColpin, R. B. Renken & R. D. Semlitsch, 1998. Flooding to restore connectivity of regulated, large-river wetlands. BioScience 48: 721–733.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, M. J., H. M. Hagy, J. A. Nyman & J. D. Stafford, 2013. Management of wetlands for wildlife. In Anderson, J. T. & C. A. Davis (eds), Wetland Techniques, Vol. 3: Applications and Management: 121–180.

  • Greer, A. K., B. D. Dugger, D. A. Graber & M. J. Petrie, 2007. The effects of seasonal flooding on seed availability for spring migrating waterfowl. Journal of Wildlife Management 71: 1561–1566.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagy, H. M., J. N. Straub & R. M. Kaminski, 2011. Estimation and correction of seed recovery bias from moist-soil cores. Journal of Wildlife Management 75: 959–966.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagy, H. M., C. S. Hine, A. P. Yetter, M. M. Horath, R. V. Smith & J. D. Stafford, 2016. Response of waterbirds to wetland restoration in the Illinois River valley: a case study at Emiquon Preserve. Hydrobiologia (In Review).

  • Havera, S. P., A. P. Yetter, C. S. Hine & M. M. Georgi, 1995. Some misconceptions about conflicts between waterfowl and fisheries management. In Proceedings of the 51st Annual Meeting of the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee: 26–41.

  • Havera, S. P., 1999. Waterfowl of Illinois: status and management. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 21: 436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havera, S. P., K. E. Roat & L. L. Anderson, 2003. The Thompson Lake/Emiquon story: the biology, drainage, and restoration of an Illinois River bottomland lake. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 25.

  • Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 2013. The drought of 2012: a report of the governor’s drought response task force.

  • Irons, K. S., S. A. DeLain, E. Gittinger, B. S. Ickes, C. S. Kolar, D. Ostendorf, E. N. Ratcliff & A. J. Benson, 2009. Nonnative fishes in the Upper Mississippi River System. U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report.

  • Jackson, C. R. & C. M. Pringle, 2010. Ecological benefits of reduced hydrologic connectivity in intensively developed landscapes. BioScience 60: 37–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, B. L. & C. A. Jennings, 1998. Habitat associations of small fishes around islands in the Upper Mississippi River. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 18: 327–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaminski, R. M. & H. H. Prince, 1981. Dabbling duck and aquatic macroinvertebrate responses to manipulated wetland habitat. Journal of Wildlife Management 45: 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaminski, R. M., J. B. Davis, H. W. Essig, P. D. Gerard & K. J. Reinecke, 2003. True metabolizable energy for wood ducks from acorns compared to other waterfowl foods. Journal of Wildlife Management 67: 542–550.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kross, J., R. M. Kaminski, K. J. Reinecke, E. J. Penny & A. T. Pearse, 2008. Moist-soil seed abundance in managed wetlands in the Mississippi Alluvial valley. Journal of Wildlife Management 72: 707–714.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemke, M. J., A. F. Casper, H. M. Hagy & H. Chen, 2016a. Floodplain wetland restoration in the Midwest. In Ecological Restoration in the Midwest: Building on the Legacy. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City.

  • Lemke, A. M., J. Herkert., D. Blodgett & J. Walk, 2016b. Restoration planning: developing targets and key ecological attributes to guide ecological restoration & management. Hydrobiologia (In Review).

  • Low, J. B. & F. C. Bellrose, 1944. The seed and vegetative yield of waterfowl food plants in the Illinois River valley. Journal of Wildlife Management 8: 7–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madsen, J. D., P. A. Chambers, W. F. James, E. W. Koch & D. F. Westlake, 2001. The interactions between water movement, sediment dynamics and submersed macrophytes. Hydrobiologia 444: 71–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McFarland, D. G. & S. J. Rogers, 1998. The aquatic macrophyte seed bank in Lake Onalaska, Wisconsin. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 36: 33–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGarigal K. & B. J. Marks, 1995. FRAGSTATS: spatial pattern analysis program for quantifying landscape structure. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-351. USDA, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland.

  • McGarigal, K., S. A. Cushman & E. Ene, 2012. FRAGSTATS v4: Spatial Pattern Analysis Program for Categorical and Continuous Maps. University of Massachusetts, Amherst [available on internet at http://www.umass.edu/landeco/research/fragstats/fragstats.html].

  • Mills, H. B., W. C. Starrett & F. C. Bellrose, 1966. Man’s effect on the fish and wildlife of the Illinois River. Illinois Natural History Survey Biological Notes 57.

  • Mitsch, W. J., L. Zhang, K. C. Stefanik, A. M. Nahlik, C. J. Anderson, B. Bernal, M. Hernandez & K. Song, 2012. Creating wetlands: primary succession, water quality changes, and self-design over 15 years. BioScience 62: 237–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, M., S. P. Romano & T. Cook, 2010. Synthesis of upper Mississippi River system submersed and emergent aquatic vegetation: past, present, and future. Hydrobiologia 640: 103–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naylor, L. W., 2002. Evaluating moist-soil seed production and management in Central Valley wetlands to determine habitat needs for waterfowl. Master’s Thesis. University of California–Davis.

  • Parrish, J. D., D. P. Braun & R. S. Unnasch, 2003. Are we conserving what we say we are? Measuring ecological integrity within protected areas. BioScience 53: 851–860.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pavelis, G. A., 1987. Economic survey of farm drainage. In Farm drainage in the United States: history, status, and prospects. Miscellaneous Publication 1455. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC.

  • Pearse, A. T., R. M. Kaminski, K. J. Reinecke & S. J. Dinsmore, 2012. Local and landscape associations between wintering dabbling ducks and wetland complexes in Mississippi. Wetlands 32: 859–869.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raibley, P. T., D. Blodgett & R. E. Sparks, 1995. Evidence of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) reproduction in the Illinois and Upper Mississippi Rivers. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 10: 65–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke, K. J., R. M. Kaminski, K. J. Moorehead, J. D. Hodges & J. R. Nassar, 1989. Mississippi Alluvial valley. In Smith, L. M., R. L. Pederson & R. M. Kaminski (eds.), Habitat management for migrating and wintering waterfowl in North America. Texas Tech University Press, Lubbock: 203–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R. V., J. D. Stafford, A. P. Yetter, M. M. Horath, C. S. Hine & J. P. Hoover, 2012. Foraging ecology of fall-migrating shorebirds in the Illinois River valley. PLoS One 7(9): e45121. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045121.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Soulliere, G. J., B. A. Potter, J. M. Coluccy, R. C. Gatti, P. W. Brown, C. L. Roy Nielsen, M. W. Eichholz & D. R. Luukkonen, 2007. Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture Waterfowl Habitat Conservation Strategy. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Snelling, MN.

  • Sparks, R. E., 1995. Need for ecosystem management of large rivers and their floodplains. BioScience 45: 168–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparks, R. E., J. C. Nelson & Y. Yin, 1998. Naturalization of the flood regime in regulated rivers. BioScience 48: 706–720.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stafford, J. D., R. M. Kaminski, K. J. Reinecke & S. W. Manley, 2006. Waste rice for waterfowl in the Mississippi Alluvial valley. Journal of Wildlife Management 70: 61–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stafford, J. D., M. M. Horath, A. P. Yetter, R. V. Smith & C. S. Hine, 2010. Historical and contemporary characteristics and waterfowl use of Illinois River valley wetlands. Wetlands 30: 565–576.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stafford, J. D., A. P. Yetter, C. S. Hine, R. V. Smith & M. M. Horath, 2011. Seed abundance for waterfowl in wetlands managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 2: 3–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suloway, L. & M. Hubbell, 1994. Wetland resources of Illinois: an analysis and atlas. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 15.

  • van der Valk, A. G. & C. B. Davis, 1978. The role of seed banks in the vegetation dynamics of prairie glacial marshes. Ecology 59: 322–335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van der Valk, A. G. & C. B. Davis, 1980. The impact of a natural drawdown on the growth of four emergent species in a prairie glacial marsh. Aquatic Botany 9: 301–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • VanMiddlesworth, T. D., N. N. McClelland & A. F. Casper, 2016. Emiquon fish community response to six years of restoration. Hydrobiologia. doi:10.1007/s10750-016-2696-8.

  • Walk, J. W., D. Blodgett, and A. M. Lemke, 2016. Emiquon: overview of a large-scale floodplain restoration. Hydrobiologia (In Review).

  • Weller, M. W. & C. E. Spatcher, 1965. Role of habitat in the distribution and abundance of marsh birds. Iowa State University, Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station Special Report 43.

  • Weller, M. W. & L. H. Fredrickson, 1973. Avian ecology of a managed glacial marsh. Living Bird 12: 269–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wienhold, C. E. & A. G. van der Valk, 1989. The impact of duration of drainage on the seed banks of northern prairie wetlands. Canadian Journal of Botany 67: 1878–1884.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yin, Y. & H. Langrehr, 2005. Multiyear synthesis of the aquatic vegetation component 1991– 2002 for the long term resource monitoring program. U.S. Geological Survey, La Crosse.

Download references

Acknowledgments

Funding for this project was provided by The Nature Conservancy’s Illinois River Project Office, contract number C07-032. We would like to thank D. Blodgett, J. Beverlin, T. Hobson, M. Lemke, S. McClure, J. Herkert, and J. Walk of The Nature Conservancy for their input and guidance in our research activities. We also appreciate our colleagues at the Illinois Natural History Survey’s Illinois River Biological Station for use of field and laboratory equipment. Finally, we thank G. Fretueg and K. Hardy for their assistance in the field and laboratory. All required permissions and permits were acquired to conduct this research in accordance with guidelines established by the University of Illinois and state and federal policies.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Randolph V. Smith

    Present address: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL, 62702, USA

  2. Joshua D. Stafford

    Present address: U.S. Geological Survey, South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University, NPB 138, Box 2140B, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Illinois Natural History Survey, Forbes Biological Station – Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, P.O. Box 590, Havana, IL, 62644, USA

    Christopher S. Hine, Heath M. Hagy, Michelle M. Horath, Aaron P. Yetter, Randolph V. Smith & Joshua D. Stafford

Authors
  1. Christopher S. Hine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Heath M. Hagy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michelle M. Horath
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Aaron P. Yetter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Randolph V. Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Joshua D. Stafford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher S. Hine.

Additional information

Guest editors: Michael J. Lemke, A. Maria Lemke & Jeffery W. Walk / Large-Scale Floodplain Restoration in the Illinois River valley

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hine, C.S., Hagy, H.M., Horath, M.M. et al. Response of aquatic vegetation communities and other wetland cover types to floodplain restoration at Emiquon Preserve. Hydrobiologia 804, 59–71 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-016-2893-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-016-2893-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation