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~q7 •~YauFf-~a.~, J. Saone, e~-a~.
<br />WATERSHED RESTORATION
<br />An Ecological Perspective of
<br />Riparian and Stream Restoration
<br />Ih the Western Ilnitarl cta+oc
<br />By J. Boone Kauffman,~Robert LrBeschta~ Nick Otting,
<br />and Danila Lytjen
<br />ABSTRACT
<br />There is an unprecedented need to preser~•e and restore aquatic and
<br />riparian biological diversity before extinction eliminates the opportuni-
<br />ty. Ecolo~~~ia~l restorntioir is the reestablishment of processes, functions,
<br />and related biological, chemical, and physical linkages between the
<br />aquatic and associated riparian ecosystems; it is t11e repairing of dam-
<br />age caused by human activities. The first and most critical step in eco-
<br />logical restoration is passive restoratio~i, the cessation of those anthro-
<br />pogenic activities that are causing degradation or pre~-enting recovery.
<br />Given the capacity of riparian ecosystems to naturally recover, often
<br />this is all that is needed to achieve successful restoration. Prior to
<br />implementation of active restoration approaches (e.g., instream struc-
<br />tures, channel and streambank reconfiguration, and planting pro-
<br />grams), aperiod of time sufficient for natural recovery is recommend-
<br />ed. Unfortunately; structural additions and active manipulations are
<br />frequently undertaken ~ti-ithout halting degrading land use activities or
<br />allowing sufficient time for natural recovery to occur. These scenarios
<br />represent a misinterpretation of ecosystem needs, can exacerbate the
<br />degree of degradation, and can cause further difficulties in restoration.
<br />Restoration should be undertaken at the watershed or landscape scale.
<br />Riparian and stream ecosystems have largely been degraded by ecosy~-
<br />temwide, off-channel activities and, therefore, cannot be restored by
<br />focusing solely on manipulations within the channel. While ecological
<br />restoration comes at a high cost, it also is an investment in the. natural
<br />capital of riparian and aquatic systems and the environmental wealth
<br />of the nation.
<br />~-~;.
<br />raditionalh; the use and management of
<br />~~' rivers, riparian zones, and wetlands have
<br />~.
<br />~ focused on activities that led to increases in
<br />F~. the social well-being or material wealth of a
<br />society. These included such endeavors as trans-
<br />portation, hydroelectric power generation, flood con-
<br />trol, and the use of water for agricultural, industrial,
<br />• and municipal uses {i\lational Research Council 1992),
<br />j. Boone Katiffmnn is nn associate professor nt Oreoon
<br />State Univer'sitt~'s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife,
<br />541/737-1625;~Krznff~nab«ecmail.orst.edu. Robert L.
<br />Beschta is a professor at the Deparhnenf of Forest Enoineer-
<br />ing. Nick Otting and Dnnnn LJtjen are gradarate research
<br />assistmtts for the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Ore-
<br />gor. Stag Llr.i~ersit:/, Cor~al?is, Ol? 97339.
<br />12 ~ Fisheries
<br />~a~3
<br />A fence-line contrast of a five-
<br />year-old exclosure (~l~ithout live-
<br />stock grazing) and an area
<br />grazed season-tong on a trit;u-
<br />tary of the Deschutes River,
<br />Oregon. The cessation of those
<br />zctivities that are causing degra-
<br />dztion or preventing recovery is
<br />the most important step in eco-
<br />o;iczl restorati~~n. Given the
<br />~._:ral resilience capaci^y of
<br />gran ecosystems, passh~e
<br />.=",-a ti0n Such as halLng
<br />__ssive !i~estoc'~R ;razing is all
<br />_- _ .__~ed to resor_
<br />As a result of these pr__~_~-. _ ~ ~~~~.~-~_ ~; ~.rtt iri~~; ~rrch
<br />as channelization, road _ :~._ :..--,~tion, tunbcr h~ r~ esting,
<br />livestock grazing, nunin~, t~n_, ~.~ ah~r diE e rsiun, numer-
<br />ous riparian zones in the fresten,~ United Mates ha~~e
<br />been extensively altered sine %uro-,american settl~-
<br />ment (National Research C~~u~ ~ci! 7 ~19~, lc~9fi). Tl~e
<br />resulting decreases in diversity, hmctions, and produc-
<br />tivity of riparian and aquatic ecosystems limit their
<br />future integrity, value, and use. -ibis is an important
<br />societal concern since riparia». zones are .~mon~, the
<br />nation's most highly vai:~_~, ..' threatened natural
<br />ecosystems (Johnson and `.;~'_.~-tni~k I~J;c); Aati~~nal
<br />Research Council 199`
<br />Riparian and aquat;,_ - ~ _ ~_, . , ~_`~ bei=.1~
<br />altered, impacted, or _- - _ -
<br />any tame in history (' .
<br />Special Issue on Watershed Restoration
<br />,__ ~,c 5
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