ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE DEGRADED STREAM ECOSYSTEMS: LESSONS FROM THE STATE OF INDIANA, USA.

A.H. Moerke, K.J. Gerard, G.A. Lamberti, and R.A. Hellenthal. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0369

Aquatic resource managers have attempted to restore stream ecosystems for decades, but limited information is available on approaches used to restore streams in the midwestern U.S. For the state of Indiana (USA), we conducted a survey of reach-scale restorations to determine restoration approaches, objectives, and degree of pre- and post-restoration assessment. Our survey suggests that streams are being restored for numerous reasons, including aesthetics, water quality improvement, and permitting requirements, but evaluations of these restorations are rare. Restored reaches had higher Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index scores and a greater volume of large woody debris than did upstream degraded reaches, which suggests that current restoration approaches are effective at improving habitat quality. To better understand stream restoration practices in Indiana, we intensively evaluated one restoration (Juday Creek) for five years. Changes in habitat and water quality, periphyton, macroinvertebrates, and fishes were evaluated in the restored reaches and compared to unrestored reaches. Results suggest that an initial increase in habitat quality in restored reaches drove positive changes in higher trophic levels (i.e., macroinvertebrates and fishes), but over time differences between reach types diminished because sedimentation from upstream sources reduced habitat complexity in restored reaches.