River Restoration Research Articles

Diverse portfolios: Investing in tributaries for restoration of large river fishes in the Anthropocene

Rehabilitation of large Anthropocene rivers requires engagement of diverse stakeholders across a broad range of sociopolitical boundaries. Competing objectives often constrain options for ecological restoration of large rivers whereas fewer competing objectives may exist in a subset of tributaries. Further, tributaries contribute toward building a “portfolio” of river ecosystem assets through physical and biological processes that may present opportunities to enhance the resilience of large river fishes. Our goal is to review roles of tributaries in enhancing mainstem large river fish populations. We present case histories from two greatly altered and distinct large-river tributary systems that highlight how tributaries contribute four portfolio assets to support large-river fish populations: 1) habitat diversity, 2) connectivity, 3) ecological asynchrony, and 4) density-dependent processes. Finally, we identify future research directions to advance our understanding of tributary roles and inform conservation actions. In the Missouri River United States, we focus on conservation efforts for the state endangered lake sturgeon, which inhabits large rivers and tributaries in the Midwest and Eastern United States. In the Colorado River, Grand Canyon United States, we focus on conservation efforts for recovery of the federally threatened humpback chub. In the Missouri River, habitat diversity focused on physical habitats such as substrate for reproduction, and deep-water habitats for refuge, whereas augmenting habitat diversity for Colorado River fishes focused on managing populations in tributaries with minimally impaired thermal and flow regimes. Connectivity enhancements in the Missouri River focused on increasing habitat accessibility that may require removal of physical structures like low-head dams; whereas in the Colorado River, the lack of connectivity may benefit native fishes as the disconnection provides refuge from non-native fish predation. Hydrologic variability among tributaries was present in both systems, likely underscoring ecological asynchrony. These case studies also described density dependent processes that could influence success of restoration actions. Although actions to restore populations varied by river system, these examples show that these four portfolio assets can help guide restoration activities across a diverse range of mainstem rivers and their tributaries. Using these assets as a guide, we suggest these can be transferable to other large river-tributary systems.

Calculation and evaluation of suitable ecological flows for eco-environmental recovery of cascade-developed rivers

River cascade development affects the hydrological and habitat characteristics of the region and disrupts the dynamic balance of stable river ecosystems. The most profound impact of river cascade development is on the resident fish species. River ecosystem restoration for maximum river habitat improvement is generally based on water security and environment improvement and effectively embodies the nature-based solutions (NbS) concept of naturalized restoration. Yuanjiang (Y.J.) River is an international river in southwest China seriously affected by cascade development. By determining the response of the river ecosystem and using the key performance indicator method, Yuanjiang carp (Cyprinus carpio rubrofuscus) and red giant catfish (Bagarius rutilus) were identified as the key species in the main stream of the Y.J. River., and the ecological effects of river cascade development on them were studied by applying two-dimensional hydrodynamic physical habitat simulation and multi-objective ecological scheduling models. Based on the calculation results for ecological operation optimization of cascade reservoirs, an improved progressive optimality algorithm was used to calculate the ecological flows required to maintain the stability of the river ecosystem. With the increasing extent of cascade development in the river, important indicators, such as the intra-annual, extreme, high, and low flows have changed significantly, and the hydrological characteristics of the main stream have changed rapidly and comprehensively. Habitat suitability curves were used to determine the appropriate water depth and delineate the weighted usable area required for the spawning, nursing, and growing periods of the key fish species. The suitable ecological flows required for the three life-cycle stages of the C. carpio rubrofuscus accounted for 34, 45, and 62 %, respectively, of the multi-year mean natural water inflow at the Qiaotou (Q.T.) cascade, whereas those required for the three respective periods of B. rutilus accounted for 47, 98, and 27 %, respectively, of the multi-year mean natural water inflow at the Madushan (M.D·S.) cascade. Considering the physiological lifecycle demands of the indicator/key fish species and the upper limit of water resources development and utilization in the key river section, the ecological flow precipitation frequency in the Q.T.-Luodie (Q.T.-L.D.) and M.D·S.-Xinjie (M.D·S.-X.J.) sections (currently at 25, 50, and 75 %, respectively) can be increased to 100 % under optimal operating conditions (cascade hydropower station optimal operation). After implementing the multi-objective ecological operation at the Y.J. River main-stream cascade reservoirs, the suitable habitat area for C. carpio rubrofuscus and B. rutilus increased significantly (>10 % and 15 %, respectively). In general, the NbS-based ecological flow calculation method for cascade-developed rivers has a wide range of applications, which can be useful for the eco-environment restoration of rivers and improving the living habitats of waterway organisms.

Using Simple LSTM Models to Evaluate Effects of a River Restoration on Groundwater in Kushiro Wetland, Hokkaido, Japan

Wetland ecosystems with proper functioning provide various ecosystem services. Therefore, their conservation and restoration are of fundamental importance for sustainable development. This study used a deep learning model for groundwater level prediction to evaluate a wetland restoration project implemented in the Kushiro Wetland in Japan. The Kushiro Wetland had been degraded due to river improvement work. However, in 2010, a wetland restoration project was carried out to restore the meandering river channel, and a decade has passed since its completion. In this study, the wetland restoration project was evaluated by comparing the response of the groundwater level using a model that reproduced physical conditions with different characteristics before and after the restoration. At first, a deep learning model was created to predict groundwater levels pre- and post-restoration of a meandering river channel using observation data. Long short-term memory (LSTM) was used as the deep learning model. The most important aspect of this study was that LSTM was trained for each of the pre- and post-restoration periods when the hydrological and geological characteristics changed due to the river channel’s restoration. The trained LSTM model achieved high performance with a prediction error of the groundwater levels within 0.162 m at all observation points. Next, the LSTM models trained with the observation data of the post-restoration period were applied to evaluate the effectiveness of the meandering channel restoration. The results indicated that the meandering channel restoration improved hydrological processes in groundwater levels, i.e., their rainfall response and average groundwater water levels. Furthermore, the variable importance analysis of the explanatory variables in the LSTM model showed that river discharge and precipitation significantly contributed to groundwater level recovery in the Kushiro Wetland. These results indicated that the LSTM model could learn the differences in hydrological and geological characteristics’ changes due to channel restoration to groundwater levels. Furthermore, LSTM is a data-driven deep learning model, and by learning hydrological and geological conditions to identify factors that may affect groundwater levels, LSTM has the potential to become a powerful analysis method that can be used for environmental management and conservation issues.

Contribution of a groundwater-influenced hinterland drainage system to the restoration of salmonid spawning grounds at the upper river Danube

Groundwater-influenced ditches, so called hinterland drainage systems (HDS), accompany many heavily modified water bodies (HMWBs). Herein, we evaluate the usefulness of including HDS as functional habitats in river restoration approaches by assessing their role as salmonid recruitment areas in HMWBs. We tested the functionality of spawning grounds in a groundwater-influenced HDS compared to the quality of those not influenced by groundwater (OHB 1 and OHB 2), based on bioindication using brown trout eggs. Eggs were placed in each compartment of a two-layered container of 20 cm diameter and 30 cm total depth (known as the HydroEcoSedimentary Tool or HEST) pre-filled with sediment, mimicking hyporheic conditions. A total of 81 HESTs were evenly distributed across the three sites to assess egg and larvae mortality whilst exposed at two substrate depths (5–10 cm and 17–22 cm). In addition, key physico-chemical variables such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, turbidity, electric conductance and substratum composition were analyzed. Mean egg mortality in the HDS was 33% lower than in both non-groundwater-influenced spawning grounds, whereas mean larval mortality was highest in the HDS (95%) compared to 74% at OHB 1 and 66% at OHB 2. The exposure depth of eggs had a significant influence on mortality, with more dead eggs and larvae in the deeper substrate layers, most likely attributed to an increase of fine sediment and a decrease of oxygen availability over time. Particularly the HDS revealed high mortality rates of larvae since it had a 17% lower mean oxygen level compared to the other spawning grounds. These findings suggest that if additional measures such as substratum restoration were undertaken to increase oxygen availability within HDS, these groundwater-dominated ditches could be incorporated as part of an efficient river restoration strategy.

Integrating the flow regime and water quality effects into a niche-based metacommunity dynamics model for river ecosystems

Aquatic community dynamics are closely dominated by flow regime and water quality conditions, which are increasingly threatened by dam regulation, water diversion, and nutrition pollution. However, further understanding of the ecological impacts of flow regime and water quality conditions on aquatic multi-population dynamics has rarely been integrated into existing ecological models. To address this issue, a new niche-based metacommunity dynamics model (MDM) is proposed. The MDM aims to simulate the coevolution processes of multiple populations under changing abiotic environments, pioneeringly applied to the mid-lower Han River, China. The quantile regression method was used for the first time to derive ecological niches and competition coefficients of the MDM, which are demonstrated to be reasonable by comparing them with the empirical evidence. Simulation results show that the Nash efficiency coefficients for fish, zooplankton, zoobenthos, and macrophytes are more than 0.64, while the Pearson correlation coefficients for them are no less than 0.71. Overall, the MDM performs effectively in simulating metacommunity dynamics. For all river stations, the average contributions of biological interaction, flow regime effects, and water quality effects to multi-population dynamics are 64%, 21%, and 15%, respectively, suggesting that the population dynamics are dominated by biological interaction. For upstream stations, the fish population is 8%–22% more responsive to flow regime alteration than other populations, while other populations are 9%–26% more responsive to changes in water quality conditions than fish. For downstream stations, flow regime effects on each population account for less than 1% due to more stable hydrological conditions. The innovative contribution of this study lies in proposing a multi-population model to quantify the effects of flow regime and water quality on aquatic community dynamics by incorporating multiple indicators of water quantity, water quality, and biomass. This work has potential for the ecological restoration of rivers at the ecosystem level. This study also highlights the importance of considering threshold and tipping point issues when analyzing the “water quantity-water quality-aquatic ecology” nexus in future works.

Which knowledge counts? Contested meanings of water quality, responsibility and involvement in river restoration discourse in Indonesia

Since 2001, the Indonesian government has formulated and implemented several restoration programs to improve the Citarum’s water quality. However, these programs were often contested, particularly concerning the meanings of ‘water quality’ and how those informed approaches to responsibility and involvement. This paper problematises river restoration in view of these controversies towards improving people’s lives and their environment. Our investigation found (1) a selective use of scientific knowledge of water quality and related responsibilities; (2) a tension between broader inclusion and military involvement in river restoration; and (3) a diverse host of informal restoration practices that largely remain unnoticed in view of the government programs. The findings indicate that river governance can benefit from recognising and tuning into below-the-radar restoration practices to tackle river pollution.

Comparison among Soil Taxonomy (2014), WRB (2014), and WRB (2022) Systems on Anthropogenic Soils in Korea

The remodeling agricultural land in South Korea is an anthropogenic soils created by reclaimed dredging generated from the Four Major River Restoration Project. The area of ​​the remodeled agricultural land is 7,727 ha, and many of the area are located near the Four Major Rivers. Soils made artificially by human activities differ from natural soil in terms of development as well as soil properties. Thus, this study attempted to classify the soil of the remodeled agricultural land using 3 soil classification system 1) Soil Taxonomy, 2) WRB (2014), 3) WRB (2022). Inchang series, a remodeled agricultural land, is fine, mesic family of Anthroportic Udorthents for Soil Taxonomy. WRB (2014) is recognized as Spolic Urbic Technosols (Siltic, Anthraquic, Gleyic, Transportic) and WRB (2022) is classified as Stagnic Gleyic Spolic Urbic Technosols (Siltic, Anthraquic, Transportic). Soil Taxonomy is limited in understanding soil properties because it categorizes anthropogenic soils into subgroups. On the other hand, WRB classifies anthropogenic soils into Anthrosols and Technosols into RSG, and continuously revises the classification system for accurate classification of anthropogenic soils. Therefore, it is necessary to revise classification of Korean soils according to the revised classification system for accurate soil classification. Furthermore, for soil classification suitable for Korean soil, it is necessary to create a soil classification system by referring to the WRB as well as Soil Taxonomy.Results of classification of Inchang series using Soil Taxonomy (2014), WRB (2014) and WRB (2022) are fine, mesic family of Anthroportic Udorthent, Spolic Urbic Technosols (Siltic, Anthraquic, Gleyic, Transportic) and Stagnic Gleyic Spolic Urbic Technosols (Siltic, Anthraquic, Transportic).

Rewilding with the beaver in the iberian peninsula - Economic potential for river restoration

Nature restoration is essential to tackle the loss of biodiversity and to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change. Recently the United Nations declared 2021 - 2030 the decade for the Restoration of Ecosystems, while the European Union 2030 Biodiversity Strategy includes restoration as a core pillar.Rivers and streams are a key component of ecosystems, yet many are in poor ecological condition. The Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) ran a program from 2018 to 2020 to restore degraded watercourses through bioengineering interventions. Yet these do not restore missing ecological processes, while additional funding would be required to expand their range. Thus long-term improvement is not assured.Beavers used to inhabit the Iberian Peninsula and they have already been brought back to other areas, as a means to restore freshwater ecosystems. Beavers are ecosystem engineers, building dams, digging canals and cutting shrubs and trees. As a keystone species, beavers allow many others to thrive, delivering significant environmental and economic benefits.In this work we select, among the actions listed in the APA river restoration guide, those that beavers might perform. We value these actions in monetary terms as avoided costs, taking into consideration price intervals and expected beaver colony activity.We conclude that beavers have the potential to replicate many commonly-used river restoration actions, possibly saving millions of euros in interventions. Bringing back the beaver therefore seems a worthwhile endeavour, not only in Portugal but in the main river basins of the Iberian Peninsula. Furthermore, beavers could provide a boost to wildlife, increase landscape resilience to climate change and bring hope in the face of environmental challenges.

Transformation of River Restoration Movement Network

A study on social network transformation of river restoration movement is very important as it is related to the network’s ability of adapting to various changes and a movement’s sustainability. This research aims to reveal the history of movement emergence, tactic, and strategy, process and procedure of social network establishment and social network transformation. An ethnographic approach was chosen by involving Komunitas Pemerti Kali Code (Code River Observer Community) as the main subject of current research. Data collection was conducted through live-in-society process for 2 months to conduct participant observation, in-depth interview and Focus Group Discussion. Data analysis was constructed using Mario Diani’s theory about social movement as a network. The result of research shows that the first factor is the emergence of problem and grievance about river contamination by rubbish and waste due to people’s poor literacy about river. The second one is movement strategy and tactic used in the form of structural and cultural approach to restore the river. The third is the process of creating social network based on shared idea, value, norm, collective identity, and interest related to the river. The fourth is social network experiencing transformation from spontaneity, institutionalization to autonomy phase as the attempt of adapting to and reconciling with the form of change to maintain the movement sustainability.
 Keywords: River Restoration Movement, Movement Strategy, Social Network Establishment, and Social Network Transformation

Water temperature dynamics in a headwater forest stream: Contrasting climatic, anthropic and geological conditions create thermal mosaic of aquatic habitats.

The thermal regime of streams is a relevant driver of their ecological functioning. As this regime is presently submitted to numerous alterations (among others, impoundments, and climate change), it seems important to study both their effects and potential recovery from the latter. Thus, we investigated the surface and hyporheic water temperature along a small headwater stream with contrasting environmental contexts: forest landscape, open grassland landscape without riparian vegetation, several artificial run-of-the-river impoundments and one discharge point of a by-pass impoundment. The main objectives were to study the influence of these contrasting contexts on surface and subsurface water temperature at a local scale. Contrasting contexts were supposed to create effects on both surface and hyporheic thermal regimes at a local scale. Differences of thermal regimes between surface and hyporheos were expected, as well as between geological contexts. Sensors located at multiple stations allowed monitoring of stream and hyporheos temperature along the stream, while comparison with adjacent reference stream allowed for surface water thermal regime benchmark. Impoundments and landscapes significantly influenced stream thermal regime at a local scale (impoundments created up to +3.7°C temperature increase in average). Their effect on hyporheos thermal regime was less marked than the ones generated by solar radiation or geological features. Hyporheos thermal regime varies from stream one by temperature dynamics delay (up to 18h) and decrease (up to -7°C between surface and hyporheos temperature in average). These coupled effects create a mosaic of thermal habitats, which could be used for river biodiversity preservation and restoration.

Turbulence Characteristics in Mild and Steep Entrance Slopes of Pool-Riffle Sequences

This study investigates the distributions of velocity and Reynolds stress in an artificial pool-riffle sequence for two entrance slopes of 5° and 20° in a laboratory and compares the results with a similar pool-riffle sequence in a gravel-bed river in central Iran. Quadrant analysis is applied to find out the contributions of different events on turbulent flow structures. At an entrance slope of 5°, the velocity distribution follows an exponential trend without flow separation, but for the entrance slope of 20°, the velocity distribution indicates a S-shaped pattern with flow separation. Variation of entrance slope does not influence the convex form of Reynolds stress (RS) distribution, but it influences the location of the maximum value of RS and the flow separation zone length. The results reveal that outward and ejection are the dominant events for both field and laboratory settings. The sweep displays a decreasing trend from near the bed toward the water surface, however, the outward contribution indicates an increasing trend from the bed toward the water surface. The agreement between laboratory and field results in velocity and Reynolds stress will help the river engineers to better manage complex fluvial processes. Bursting process events depend on the aspect ratio for the same entrance pool slope. The agreement in the results of velocity and Reynolds stress distributions and the dominant events of bursting process in the laboratory and field are encouraging for better restoration of rivers and decreasing the cost of projects.

Grain shear stress and bed-load transport in open channel flow with emergent vegetation

The prediction of bedload transport capacity in riverbed with aquatic vegetation is a pressing need for river restoration. Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the weak bed-load transport rates with emergent vegetation for different energy slopes and vegetation densities. Such rate was observed to increase as the energy slope increased and the vegetation density decreased. The bed shear stress calculated by subtracting the vegetation drag from the total flow driving force was unable to predict the measured bed-load transport rate. On the other side, the estimation of the grain shear stress using the Einstein partitioning method considering the form drag provided a reasonable prediction. On the basis of these results, an explicit formulation for estimating grain shear stress was developed to predict the bed-load transport rate in a vegetated channel by considering the superimposition of forces. In addition, a simple relationship between grain shear stress and total shear stress was established by the boundary layer model. It was inferred that bed-load transport rate decreases with the increase of vegetation blocking factor while the total shear stress remains constant. Comparatively, the proposed models were more accurate than literature models, improving the understanding of the bed-load transport in a vegetated flow.

Fish Assemblages in the Penobscot River: A Decade after Dam Removal

AbstractThe Penobscot River Restoration Project in Maine was a large river rehabilitation project that culminated in the removal of the two lowermost dams and improvements to fish passage on several remaining dams. Fish assemblages were surveyed for 3 years prior to rehabilitation, 3 years after rehabilitation, and 8 years after rehabilitation. Approximately 475 km of shoreline were sampled via boat electrofishing, yielding 133,394 individual fish of 41 species. The greatest shifts in assemblage structure occurred immediately after dam removal in formerly impounded sections, with an increased prevalence of riverine and migratory species. Long‐term sampling documented changes within tributaries and tidally influenced river segments, where large schools of adult and young‐of‐the‐year alosines increased in abundance. Upstream of the lowermost dam, the river remains dominated by lacustrine species, while adult anadromous fishes continue to be most abundant immediately downstream of the lowermost dam. Our results provide increased evidence that dam removals result in altered fish assemblages, which are now dominated by riverine and anadromous species in previously impounded habitats. Alosines in the Penobscot River have exhibited the greatest long‐term response to river restoration efforts.

Characteristics of sediment particle size distribution in the Pisha sandstone area of the middle Yellow River under the effects of vegetation and complex erosion

AbstractPisha sandstone is a soft bedrock composed of sandstone, sand shale and mudstone, with very low diagenesis and erosion resistance. The sources of coarse sediment and the processes of sediment production and transportation in Pisha sandstone areas are currently little understood. Understanding these processes will help us to comprehend the characteristics of sediment particle size distribution on slopes and gullies under the effects of vegetation and complex erosion. This will provide a scientific basis for the control of coarse sediments of the Yellow River and ecological restoration of the Pisha sandstone area. In this study, the process of sediment selectivity and transportation in the slope–gully system was analyzed through soil sampling in different seasons in the Erlaohugou small watershed, China. There is a clear selectivity phenomenon in the process of transporting sediment particles from the slope to the gully, and the coarse sediment particles are transported preferentially from the slope to the gully. There is a good response relationship between the distribution characteristics of sediment particles and the multi‐dynamic interaction. The complex erosion type in different seasons has a significant impact on sediment production and transportation, and most particles were transported under hydraulic power.

Water quality simulation under river restoration measures for the Delhi stretch of river Yamuna, India

Water quality simulation under river restoration measures for the Delhi stretch of river Yamuna, India

Modulation of sediment load recovery downstream of Three Gorges Dam in the Yangtze River

The sediment load in the Yangtze River downstream of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) has substantially declined in recent decades. The decrease is more profound below the TGD, e.g., a 97% decrease at Yichang, compared with that at the delta apex, 1200 km downstream, e.g., a 75% decrease, implying along-river sediment recovery. Two large river-connected lakes, i.e., Dongting and Poyang Lakes, may play a role in the re-establishment of the river’s morphodynamic equilibrium, but a quantitative data-based understanding of this interaction is not yet available. In this work, we collected a series of field data to quantify the sediment gain and loss in the river-lake system in the middle-lower Yangtze River, and evaluate the lake’s response to the reduction in riverine sediment supply. We find that Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake shifted from net sedimentation to erosion in 2006 and 2000, and back to a sedimentation regime again after 2017 and 2018, respectively. Natural morphodynamic adaptation and sand mining play an important role in the regime changes in the Dongting Lake whereas sand mining dominates the abrupt changes in the Poyang Lake. The Dongting and Poyang Lake contributed maximum by 38% (2015) and 17% (2006) (respectively) to the sediment recovery in the erosion regime, whereas the riverbed erosion dominates the main sediment source. These changes in the relative contribution of sediment sources also indicates a response time of ~ 20 years in the lakes towards a new equilibrium state. It is noteworthy that the lakes’ buffer effects may be overestimated as the supplied sediment from the lakes is rather small compared to the significant dam trapping in the upstream basin and sediment source from downstream degradation. The results imply that river management and restoration should take into account of the river-lake interactions and feedback impact at decadal time scales.

Landscape Reading for Alpine Rivers: A Case Study from the river Biya

Anthropogenic stressors have altered the hydromorphological characteristics of rivers worldwide. Environmental guiding principles are essential for planning sustainable river restoration measures. The alpine river Biya, located in the Russian Altai mountains, originates from Lake Teletskoye and joins the Katun near Biysk, forming the Ob. The Biya represents a hydromorphological reference system in anthropogenically ‘least-disturbed’ condition. The presented study aimed to assess the river’s undisturbed morphology in relationship with the geological history of three different river stretches based on an adapted landscape reading approach using remote sensing information (ASTER GDEM v3). The established widths of the active channel, active floodplain and morphological floodplain as well as the longitudinal section were used to explain the differences between upper, middle, and lower Biya. The results confirm differences in the geological origins between the upper Biya, which has previously been described as the least developed and narrowest, and the other two stretches based on the analyses of morphological parameters. Morphological floodplain width could best explain the differences between upper (0-86 km), middle (86-196 km), and lower Biya (196-301 km). The study further showed a clear relationship between the variations in river patterns and adjacent topographic structures (valley confinements, tributary interactions), highlighting that any assessment of river morphology must consider the wider surroundings of a river stretch. The presented morphological observations and analyses of the Biya show that easily obtainable parameters can detect differences in the morphological history of river stretches within the same catchment, supporting process understanding.

Ecological Health Assessment with the Combination Weight Method for the River Reach after the Retirement and Renovation of Small Hydropower Stations

This study aimed to effectively evaluate the ecological restoration of the river reach where a small hydropower station was retired or renovated. An ecological health index system was constructed based on the environmental characteristics of the upstream and downstream of the small hydropower station after its retirement and renovation. Based on the combination weighting concept of game theory, the combination weights were obtained by the comprehensive analytic hierarchy process (subjective weight) and entropy method (objective weight). This ecological health assessment with fuzzy comprehensive evaluation was applied to assess the health status of Shimen (dam removal) and Changqiao (renovation in ecological flow) reaches of the Tufang River in Changting County, China. The results showed that the ecological health assessment index system proposed in this study was comprehensive and reasonable, and the revision degree of the hydropower station obviously influenced the process of ecological river restoration. The findings from this study would benefit for the rational utilization of water resources and the river ecological health maintenance in mountainous areas.

Collective storytelling as a river restoration tool: The role of catchment communities in inspiring environmental change

In Aotearoa New Zealand, catchment communities have been actively working to restore the health of their rivers, in some cases for many decades. Their knowledge offers a valuable resource that could motivate and empower other groups to do the same, making river restoration more effective at large scales. We spoke to five catchment groups across Aotearoa New Zealand to conceptualize and define how knowledge sharing through storytelling could be used as a tool to inspire freshwater restoration action amongst their own community and elsewhere. Each group created a “Catchment Journey,” a graphical artwork that told a story of their land and people, and their restoration activities. Whilst each of these “Journeys” was unique, the following common elements were important for knowledge sharing: (1) the role of respected storytellers (e.g., community champions) in influencing restoration in their community; (2) recognition of responsibility to act (e.g., concern for future generations, land stewardship, prosperity and community cohesion); and (3) authenticity (e.g., true and honest stories, including weaknesses, threats and hardship). Participants recommended including each of these key elements in collective catchment storytelling to encourage large scale freshwater restoration.

Broadening Benefits and Anticipating Tradeoffs with a Proposed Ecosystem Service Analysis Framework for the US Army Corps of Engineers

Would-be adopters of ecosystem service analysis frameworks might ask, ‘Do such frameworks improve ecosystem service provision or social benefits sufficiently to compensate for any extra effort?’ Here we explore that question by retrospectively applying an ecosystem goods and services (EGS) analysis framework to a large river restoration case study conducted by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and comparing potential time costs and outcomes of traditional versus EGS-informed planning. USACE analytic methods can have a large influence on which river and wetland restoration projects are implemented in the United States because they affect which projects or project elements are eligible for federal cost-share funding. A new framework is designed for the USACE and is primarily distinguished from current procedures by adding explicit steps to document and compare tradeoffs and complementarity among all affected EGS, rather than the subset that falls within project purposes. Further, it applies economic concepts to transform ecological performance indicators into social benefit indicators, even if changes cannot be valued. We conclude that, for large multi-partner restoration projects like our case study, using the framework provides novel information on social outcomes that could be used to enhance project design, without substantially increasing scoping costs. The primary benefits of using the framework in the case study appeared to stem from early comprehensive identification of stakeholder interests that might have prevented project delays late in the process, and improving the communication of social benefits and how tradeoffs among EGS benefits were weighed during planning.