An Assessment of a Small Urban Stream Restoration Project in Northern California |
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Authors: | Alison H. Purcell Carla Friedrich Vincent H. Resh |
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Affiliation: | Laurel Marcus &Associates, 3661 Grand Avenue, #204, Oakland, CA 94611, U.S.A.; Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931.; Department of Environmental Science, Policy &Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | Stream restoration projects have become increasingly common, and the need for systematic post‐project evaluation, particularly for small‐scale projects, is evident. This study describes how a 70‐m restored reach of a small urban stream, Baxter Creek (in Poinsett Park, El Cerrito, California), was quickly and inexpensively evaluated using habitat, biological, and resident‐attitude assessments. The restoration involved opening a previously culverted channel, planting riparian vegetation, and adding in‐stream step‐pool sequences and sinuosity. Replicated benthic macroinvertebrate samples from the restored site and an upstream unrestored site were compared using several metrics, including taxa richness and a biotic index. Both biological and habitat quality improved in the restored compared with the unrestored section. However, when compared with a creek restored 12 years before, habitat condition was of lower quality in the recently restored creek. A survey of the neighborhood residents indicated that, overall, they were pleased with the restored creek site. The approach used in this demonstration project may be applicable to other small‐scale evaluations of urban stream restorations. |
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Keywords: | Baxter Creek California bioassessment community involvement conservation demonstration project restoration stream urban |
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