Low-Tech Restoration making a difference if you can measure it from space!

Together with Nick Silverman and a team of researchers from University of Montana, NRCS's Sage Grouse Initiative in this paper we show that low-tech, process based restoration can make a measurable difference in productivity of mesic habitats (i.e. wet meadows).  Using three iconic restoration projects as examples:

• Gunnison, CO - Zeedyk Structures
• Bridge Creek, OR - Beaver Dam Analogues
• Maggie Creek, NV - Grazing Management & Beaver Recovery

We show not only can these cheaper and affordable restoration techniques achieve the desired results by affecting large areas, they can also be measured simply from space with satellite imagery. The calculations shown in the paper can be done by anyone, for mesic habitats in the Western US using SGI's Mapping Tools.

Do calculations yourself with SGI's Mapper

Leveraging Google Earth Engine and SGI's Mesic Habitat Mapper, this paper shows three low-tech restoration projects that hit the system hard enough you could measure it from space with the blunt instrument of 30 m resolution satellite imagery (i.e. LANDSAT).

1. Silverman NL, Allred BW, Donnelly JP, Chapman TB, Maestas JD, Wheaton J, White J and Naugle DE. 2018. Low-tech riparian and wet meadow restoration increases vegetation productivity and resilience across semi-arid rangelands. Restoration Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/rec.12869.​