Part A: Development of Standards and Practices
One of the most important and pervasive contemporary issues in the field of ecological restoration is that of biological invasion, particularly by non-native species. Current performance standards for invasive species in compensatory mitigation often necessitate the use of targeted (or even broadcast) herbicides, a practice that introduces synthetic chemicals into natural systems and can result in collateral damage to desirable species. The purpose of this RFP is to stimulate scientific investigation that will fill these important research gaps, with a focus on compensatory mitigation sites in Virginia. This work is being conducted by the College of William & Mary.
The overall goal is to provide standards and practices that can be utilized in Mitigation Banking Instruments for invasive species control in terms of:
- Specific treatments
- Seeding methods
- Planting protocols
- Monitoring and maintenance
The standards should be practicable and be implementable by bank sponsors and individual mitigation site permittees.
Request for Proposals
- Original Request for Proposals: Invasive Species Research in Compensatory Mitigation, 2017
- Addendum #1
- Addendum #2
Amount awarded: $491,173
Final Research Report
- Invasive Species Research in Non-Tidal Compensatory Mitigation. Final Report: 2021. Douglas A. DeBerry and Dakota Hunter, College of William and Mary.
- Invasive Species Research in Non-Tidal Compensatory Mitigation: Greenhouse Study. Final Report Addendum, March 2023. Douglas A. DeBerry and Samuel M. Dutilly. Environmental Science and Policy Program, William & Mary.
Research Reports
- Invasive Species Research in Non-Tidal Compensatory Mitigation. Progress Report: October 2019. Douglas A. DeBerry, College of William & Mary.
- Invasive Species Research in Compensatory Mitigation: November 2018 Updates. Douglas A. DeBerry and Dakota M. Hunter, College of William & Mary.
- Invasive Species Research in Non-Tidal Compensatory Mitigation – Annotated Bibliography. 2018. Douglas A. DeBerry and Dakota M. Hunter, College of William & Mary.
Published Paper
- Environmental Drivers of Plant Invasion in Wetland Mitigation. 2023. Dakota M Hunter and Douglas A. DeBerry. Wetlands (2023) 43:81.
Theses and Dissertations
- Invasive Species Research in Compensatory Wetland Mitigation: Investigating Plant Community Composition and Environmental Correlates with Three Invasive Plants. Dakota M. Hunter, M.S. thesis, College of William & Mary, 2019.
Part B: Invasive, Nuisance, & Undesirable (INU) Plant Management
The objective of this project is to study invasive, nuisance, and undesirable (INU) plant management in both uplands and wetlands restoration areas along a restored stream (Northern Virginia Stream Restoration Bank in Reston, VA) using a random block research design (or similar layout) in which several different management approaches will be implemented in a controlled field setting. Methods will include (but not be limited to) traditional herbicide treatment, cultural practices (e.g., strategic plantings, soil amendments, etc.), and mechanical removal techniques. The eventual study design, as well as the specific methods chosen, will be informed by a comprehensive literature review that will be conducted at the outset of the study, as well as an INU species inventory throughout the study area. This phase of the project will also derive from the results of recent research on invasive species in compensatory mitigation conducted by PI Doug DeBerry under RPG grant RFP #08. The College of William and Mary, in association with Virginia Tech and George Mason University, is leading this project.
Results from this research program will be directed at filling important information gaps in INU species management on mitigation sites, including: 1) viable approaches for invasive species management that can be used effectively as alternatives to herbicide; 2) proactive management techniques that can be used to reduce risk of invasion during site development and establishment; and, 3) broadly applicable techniques that are effective for multiple invasive species – with its results presented in a format suitable for use by both regulations and practitioners of wetlands and stream restoration.
Request for Proposals
- Original Request for Proposals: Stream RFP #05 – Invasive Species Management in Nontidal Wetland and Stream Mitigation Sites – April 26, 2021
- Amendment: Invasive Species Management in Nontidal Wetland and Stream Mitigation (RPG Stream RFP #05)
Amount awarded to date: $725,014
Seed Bank Research Protocol
- An Introduction to Wetland Seed Banks: Spring 2000. Douglass A. DeBerry and James E. Perry. Wetlands Program Technical Report, No. 00-2, College of William & Mary.
- Wetland Seed Banks: Research in Natural and Created Wetlands: Summer 2000. Douglas A. DeBerry and James E. Perry. Wetlands Program Technical Report, No. 00-4, College of William & Mary.