In 1996, an international wetland restoration project was initiated when Dr. Easter-Pilcher was invited to collaborate on a beaver (Castor fiber) reintroduction project on the Volga-Kama preserve.Ground truthing was done in August of 1997 to aid in classification of remote sensing images. These images will be used to track changes in water distribution resulting from beaver influences on hydrology of the preserve. Remote sensing will also be used to track vegetation changes over time. Baseline herbaceous and woody vegetation data were collected in August of 1997 on randomly located permanent transects along lakes and streams within the preserve. These transects will be used in subsequent years to evaluate changes in woody and herbaceous species richness and abundance, changes in standing dead wood, use of woody taxa by beavers and changes in tree diameter distribution. Baseline stream characteristics and vegetation zones of dominance were determined at all sampling locations.
In August of 1996 and 1997, 6 and 8 beavers (2 adults with transmitters)respectively were released into the preserve. Annual population counts will allow for correlation of beaver numbers with surrounding community changes including plant diversity.
Our methodology combines the use of satellite technology with on the ground data collection to assess recovery of biodiversity. Our analyses will allow us to track the influence of a reintroduced keystone species on ecosystem recovery. We expect that satellite technology will be an effective documentation and monitoring tool for use in ecological restoration around the world. Our project will demonstrate the effectiveness of this technology.
| Mail: | Dr. Andrea L. Easter-Pilcher |
|
Department of Environmental Science |
| Western Montana College of the University of Montana | |
| WMC93, 710 S. Atlantic | |
| Dillon, MT 59725 |
| E-mail: | a_easterpilc@wmc.edu |
| Phone: | (406) 683-7910 |
| FAX: | (406) 683-7493 |
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