Introduction
The purpose of this grant program was to stimulate a series of small research projects (< $50 k each) suitable for undergraduate level students and a limited number of M.S. level students. This led to a wide range of varied research programs at Duke University, George Mason University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Tech and the College of William & Mary/VIMS. Many of these projects have resulted in larger research awards.
Request for Proposals
Amount awarded to all institutions: $541,201
Task #1: Changes in Soil-Water Characteristics Due to Construction Practices of a Mitigation Bank Wetland in the Virginia Piedmont – George Mason University
- Assessment of water budgets and hydrologic performance of a created mitigation wetland – a modeling approach (journal article). Bradley J. Petru and Changwoo Ahn, George Mason University; George Chescheir, North Carolina State University. Ecological Engineering 71: 667-676. 2014
- Alteration of soil hydraulic properties during the construction of mitigation wetlands in the Virginia Piedmont (journal article). Bradley J. Petru and Changwoo Ahn, George Mason University; George Chescheir, North Carolina State University. Ecological Engineering 51: 140-150. 2013.
- Impacts of construction practices on soil properties and water budget prediction in created mitigation wetlands (thesis abstract). Bradley J. Petru, M.S. Thesis, George Mason University. 2012.
- Alteration of soil hydraulic properties during the construction of mitigation wetlands in the Virginia Piedmont (presentation). Bradley J. Petru and Changwoo Ahn, George Mason University. Wetland Studies/Peterson Foundation Wetland Mitigation Research Symposium. 2013.
- Water distribution in constructed wetland soil profiles (poster). Bradley J. Petru and Changwoo Ahn, George Mason University; George Chescheir, North Carolina State University. 2011.
Task #2: A Comparison of Wetland Functions and Services on Restored Wetlands of the Piedmont Carbon and Nitrogen Storage Release Estimates – Duke University
- A cost-effective method for reducing soil disturbance-induced errors in static chamber measurement of wetland methane emissions (journal article). R.S. Winton and C.J. Richardson. Wetland Ecology Wetlands Ecology and Management 24: 419–425. 2016.
- The Effects of Organic Matter Amendments and Migratory Waterfowl on Greenhouse Gas and Nutrient Dynamics in Managed Coastal Plain Wetlands (chapters 2 and 3). R. Scott Winton, Duke University, Ph.D dissertation. 2016.
- The effects of organic matter amendments on greenhouse gas emissions from a mitigation wetland in Virginia’s Coastal Plain (journal article and erratum). R.S. Winton and C.J. Richardson. Wetlands 35: 969–979. 2015.
- WSSI Consortium Projects Progress Report. R. Scott Winton and Curtis J. Richardson, Duke University Wetland Center. 2014.
Task #3: Determination of Wetland Soil Hydroperiod, Rooting Depth, and Organic Matter Levels in Natural vs. Created Wetlands – Virginia Tech
- Determination of wetland soil hydroperiod, rooting depth, and organic matter levels in natural vs. created wetlands (research report). W. Lee Daniels, Erik Severson, and Mike Beck, Dept. of Crop & Soil Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech. 2017.
- Hydroperiod and associated soil morphological properties of Piedmont wetlands in Northern Virginia, USA (presentation). W. Lee Daniels, Erik Severson, and Mike Beck, Virginia Tech. Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting. 2017.
Task #4: Assessing Availability of Groundwater Resources for Piedmont Mitigation Wetlands – Old Dominion University
- Groundwater and stratigraphy in two valley bottom wetlands: Central Piedmont, Virginia, USA (poster). Kerby Dobbs and G. Richard Whittecar, Old Dominion University. 2012
- Historical groundwater fluctuation in Suffolk, Virginia: Simulated using effective monthly recharge (Wem) model (poster). G. Richard Whittecar, John McLeod and Tracy Thornton, Old Dominion University. 2011.
Task #5: Improving Wetland Creation and Restoration: Species Selection, Site Preparation, and Planting Techniques – Virginia Tech
- Assessment of Silvicultural Practices to Improve Survival and Growth of Pioneer and Mid-Successional Hardwoods on Old Field Restoration Sites. Jason K. Steele, Virginia Tech, Ph.D. dissertation. 2020.
- Five Year Survival and Growth of Willow Oak and American Sycamore for Wetland Restoration in the Virginia Piedmont as Influenced by Site Preparation, Planting Aids, and Planting Stock (research report). J. Steele, M. Aust, and J. Seiler, Virginia Tech. 2018.
- Survival & Growth of Restored Piedmont Riparian Forests as Affected by Site Preparation, Planting Stock, and Planting Aids (research report). C.M. Curtis, W.M. Aust, J.R. Seiler, and B.D. Strahm, Virginia Tech. 2015.
- Survival & Growth of Restored Piedmont Riparian Forests as Affected by Site Preparation, Planting Stock, and Planting Aids (poster). C.M. Curtis, W.M. Aust, J.R. Seiler, and B.D. Strahm, Virginia Tech. 2013.
- The effects of site preparation, planting stock, and planting aids on growth of American sycamore and willow oak for Piedmont wetland restoration (presentation). Mike Aust, Virginia Tech. Wetland Studies/Peterson Foundation Wetland Mitigation Research Symposium. 2013.
- Evaluation of riparian forests established by the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) in Virginia (journal article). B.N. Bradburn, W.M. Aust, C.A. Dolloff, D. Cumbia, and J. Creighton. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 65 (2) 105-112. 2010.
Task #6: Determining Physiochemical Parameters to Enhance Tree Growth and Design Plans for Piedmont Created Wetlands – Virginia Tech
- Funds for this program were incorporated into the project led by Dr. Mike Aust under Task #5 above.
Task #7: Development of a Wetland Vegetation Hydraulic Properties Database
- Surface Water Flow Resistance Due to Emergent Wetland Vegetation. Karen L. Hall, Virginia Tech, M.S. thesis. 2012
- Surface water flow resistance due to emergent wetland vegetation. (presentation). Karen L. Hall, Virginia Tech.
- Hydraulic Resistance due to Emergent Wetland Vegetation. Candice D. Piercy, Virginia Tech, Ph.D. dissertation. 2010.
Task #8: Comparing Mitigation Success to Mitigation Banking Instruments and Permit Conditions – Vegetation – College of William and Mary
- Funds for this program were incorporated into the larger project led by Dr. Jim Perry under the Sustainable Created Wetlands RFP.
Task #9: Comparing Mitigation Success to Mitigation Banking Instruments and Permit Conditions – Hydrologic and Soil Conditions – Old Dominion University
- Funds for this program were incorporated into efforts reported above for Task #4 and for other efforts by Dr. Rich Whittecar in support of the Water Budget Modeling and Monitoring RFP.