Ecological engineering and Ecological restoration principles, strategies, examples

Transcription

1 Ecological engineering and Ecological restoration principles, strategies, examples Volker Lüderitz University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg Department of Water and Waste Management

2 Self-concept of the School of Water and Waste Mangement at the University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg: The School of Water and Waste Management promotes in education, research,, and practise a sustainable use and management of water resources and natural resources at all. Our faculty includes professorships in hydrochemistry, water ecology, mathematics and statistics, biotechnology, process engineering, hydrology, hydromechanics, hydraulic engineering, sewage treatment, water supply, resources management,, and waste management We offer undergraduate programmes in water management, waste management,, and statistics. Our graduate programmes concern Ecological Engineering and Water management with technical systems

3 Research and international relations Research activities are managed by the Institute of Water Management and Ecotechnology Main projects concern River engineering Stream restoration and measurement of success Flood control Hydrobiological and ecological monitoring in National parks Restoration of heavily modified water bodies Use of naturally growing biomass from wetlands Constructed wetlands for sewage treament Exchange of faculty and students and common research activities exist with San Diego State University (USA) University La Coruna (Spain) University of La Laguna (Spain) University of Holguin (Cuba) University of Cluj (Romania) German Jordanian University (Jordan)

4 Ecological Engineering the design of sustainable ecosystems that integrate human society with its natural environment for the benefit of both Source: Mitsch and Jørgensen, 2004

5 Ecological Restoration the return of an ecosystem to a close approximation of its condition prior to disturbance Source: NRC, 1992

6 Goals of Ecological Engineering 1. the restoration of ecosystems that have been substantially disturbed by human activities such as environmental pollution or land disturbance; and 2. the development of new sustainable ecosystems that have both human and ecological value.

7 Terms that are synonyms, subdisciplines,, or fields similar to ecological engineering synthetic ecology restoration ecology ecological restoration bioengineering bioremediation sustainable agriculture habitat reconstruction ecohydrology ecohydraulics ecological rehabilitation soil reclamation biomanipulation river and lake restoration wetland creation and restoration reclamation ecology nature engineering engineering ecology solar aquatics biospherics

8 Contrasts with Other Fields Environmental engineering Biotechnology Ecology Ecological Conservation

9 Theoretical Ecology Applied Ecology Evolutionary Population Community Ecosystems Landscape Ecology Resource Mgt. Impact Assessment Environ. Monitoring Ecotoxicology Risk Assessment Ecological Engineering Ecological Economics The design, restoration and creation of ecosystems

10 Ecological Engineering Principles

11 1. Self-design The application of self- organization in the design of ecosystems (self-dynamics, self- purification)

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13 2. The Acid Test of Ecological Theories The value of an ecological theory is verified or falsified by its application!

14 3. A Systems Approach Any success in ecological engineering depends on a holistic approach of the projects with consideration of all ecological, social, and economic conditions!

15 4. Nonrenewable Resource Conservation

16 Conventional Engineering Natural Energies Fossil Fuels Conventional Engineer Services to Society

17 Ecological Engineering Fossil Fuels Ecological Engineer Natural Energies self design Services to Society Mitsch (1998)

18 5. Ecosystem Conservation To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering. Aldo Leopold

19 Scale classification Ecosystem scale root-zone treatment wetlands river channel restoration creating replacement wetlands Mesocosm scale wetland mesocosm experiments peatland restoration plots Biosphere 2 Regional scale agroecological engineering Delaware Bay coastal restoration (USA) restoration of Skern River (Denmark)

20 Functional classification Ecosystems are used to reduce or solve a pollution problem Ecosystems are imitated or copied to reduce a resource problem The recovery of ecosystems is supported Existing ecosystems are modified in an ecologically sound way Ecosystems are used for the benefit of humankind without destroying the ecological balance

21 Examples from own research and implementation River restoration Constructed wetlands for sewage treatment

22 Ecosystem services Natural to nearnatural ecosystems of the natural and cultural landscape of central Europe Over-utilization More or less degraded ecosystems Restoration Unsuccessful restoration further degradation Time Objectives of ecosystem restoration According to Zerbe et al. 2009

23 Present status of flowing water bodies in Germany The quantity: 600,000 km flowing water bodies in Germany appr. 400,000 km streams and rivers appr. 200,000 km ditches and canals The quality: very good or good status: 10% moderate status: 30% poor status: 40% bad status: 20%

24 What is the Good Ecological Quality? diverse, species-rich flora and fauna composition and abundances near to the reference status relation between sensitive and tolerant species near to the reference status + Fishes: natural age distribution + good chemical quality + keeping of limits for priority substances

25 ~ 70 % of the water bodies do not reach the Good Ecological Status without restoration measures! Stocktaking in Europe

26 Global Stocktaking of water bodies: Vergleich Bestandsaufnahme global Map: MA (2005), Biodiversity Synthesis

27 The reality Dinkel bei Epe C. K. Feld

28 Berkel between Haarlo and Eibergen Canals.

29 Groenlose Slinge at Ruurlo Drainage ditches

30 German programmes of measures (PoM) Objectives of PoM: Implementation of the EU-Water Framework Directive, good status of all water bodies PoM concern 9,011 water bodies (streams, rivers, lakes, groundwater) This analysis concerns 3965 streams and rivers! Main focus of the PoM to: general improvement of hydromorphology (78 %) improvement of connectivity and permeability (56 %) new habitats at and near the banks (54 %) initiation of self-dynamics (45 %) changes in stream and river management (e. g. less mowing) (44 %) improment of lengthwise profiles, banks and bottoms (43 %) further research, concepts, studies (38 %) reduction of nutrient input from agriculture (36 %) Jähnig et al. 2011

31 Large-scale restoration projects at rivers and floodplains in federal responsibility 30 projects ( ) central areas 1,137 km² River projects Wetland projects overall costs: 256 Mio. project duration 6-8 years

32 Approaches for river restoration Restoration by hydraulic engineering Restoration by reduced management (less mowing, less removal of sediments) Restoration by natural succession.or the combination of the approaches!

33 Most effective measures of physical stream restoration for improvement of hydromorphology and habitat function Effects on main parameters of hydromorphology Measure Initiation of selfdynamic development Change of stream course Course development Lengthwise profile Crosswise profile Bottom structure Bank structure Surroundings Improvement of crosswise profile Rising of the bottom Removal of bank and bottom paving Input of wood debris Removal of crosswise dams and weirs Buffer zones Restoration of floodplain functions Relocation of dikes Restoration of oxbow lakes Acceptance of bank demolition Promotion of natural vegetation

34 Main problems in WFD-implementation high costs, partially unknown ( 5 15 Billion ) areas for self-dynamics not available competion with other uses (agriculture, hydropower) deficits in knowledge, e. g. about reference status, potential of resettlement planning period often between 5 and 10 years consequence: in 82 % of all watersheds the time for the WFD implementation will be extended from 2015 to 2021resp. 2027

35 Large-scale restoration: Rivers Upper Main and Rodach

36 Location of restored sites at Rivers Main and Rodach

37 cumulative length of restored river sections (m) Rodach Main year Development of restored river length at rivers Main and Rodach

38 cumulative area of restored sections (ha) Rodach Main year Development of restored river and floodplain area at rivers Main and Rodach

39 Restored River Main near Unterleiterbach

40 Macroinvertebrate sampling (at river Rodach, June 2010)

41 Measurement of restoration success at rivers Main and Rodach my means of assessment of macroinvertebrate communities River Restored stretch of River Main (Zapfendorf) Non-restored stretch of River Main (Zapfendorf) Restored stretch of River Rodach (Marktzeuln) Non-restored stretch of River Rodach (Marktzeuln) River type Type 9.2 Type 9.2 Type 9 Type 9 Saprobic Index Grade good good good good GFI Grade good moderate moderate moderate EQI (M) Grade good good good moderate Renkonen number Grade very good moderate good moderate Species / taxa number Shannon-Wiener-Index Grade very good moderate very good good Conservation Index Grade good good good moderate

42 Rich and diverse macroinvertebrate fauna in the restored river sectors promotion of endangered species!

43 Electro fishing at a restored side

44 Fish-based assessment (FIBS) of restored and nonrestored sectors at Rivers Main and Rodach (score range 5 1) and additional parameters concerning fish communities Characteristics and parameters Main (restored) Main (non-restored Rodach (restored) Rodach (non-restored) (1 )inventory of species and guilds (score) 4,00 3,33 3,00 3,00 (2) abundances of species and guilds (score) (3) age structure/ reproduction (score) 1,94 1,82 1,71 1,97 3,00 3,29 4,14 1,33 (4) migration (score) 1,00 1,00 1,00 1,00 (5) fish region (score) 1,00 1,00 1,00 1,00 (6) dominant species(score) 3,00 1,00 2,00 2,00 medium score 2,65 2,36 2,55 1,78 Ecological status Additional parameters good moderate good poor Shannon Index (adults) Shannon Index (juveniles) 1,638 2,166 1,833 1,627 2,281 1,972 2,163 1,389 Renkonen similarity 0,578 0,451 0,512 0,443

45 Restoration measures improved the numbers, the size and the connectivity of ontogenetic important habitats for the key species. The variety and high connectivity of juvenile fish habitats enhanced the abundances of rheophilic species!

46 2. Example: Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment

47 advantages: Approach Decentral systems for sewage treatment! Economic efficiency by avoiding oversized canalization Participation and involvement of population Protection of downstream High hydraulic buffer capacity prevention from leakage and overflow Saving potable water multiple use of water resources Simplification of treatment processes by separation of wastewater compounds Big chances in developing countries: In most cases, the only possibility for a sustainable wastewater treatment Construction with local workers and local techniques possible Possible use in decentral, semicentral and local scale Can help to solve the most important hygienic problems of the population

48 Constructed Wetlands/ Planted Soil Filters 3 types: Surface Flow Treatment Wetlands (SFW) Horizontal Flow Treatment Wetlands (HFW) Vertical FlowTreatment Wetlands (VFW)

49 Design SFW SFW Treatment Wetland, aus: Treatment Wetlands Similar to natural ponds / wetlands Areas with open water surfaces Treatment of water by means of: Sedimentation Filtration Oxidation Reduction Adsorption Precipitation Attractive for animals: insects, snails mussels, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals Often used as secondary / tertiary treatment behind a mechenical / technical treatment Good in cases of pulsing loads

50 Design VFW

51 VFW advantages / disadvantages Advantages - smaller area demand - good oxygen supply - good nitrification - simple hydraulics - high purification performance from the beginning Disadvantages - short flowing distances - poor denitrification - higher technical demands - loss of performance esp. in P-removal (saturation) Constructed Wetlands

52 VFW examples VFW pilot scale VFW Wolfsberg, Harz Mountains, Germany

53 Design HFW

54 HFW advantages / disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages - long flowing distances possible, nutrient gradients can establish - nitrification and denitrification possible - Formation of humic substances for removal of N and P - longer life cycle Constructed Wetlands - higher area demand - careful calculation of hydraulics necessary for optimal oxygen supply - equal waste water supply complicate

55 Horizontal flow wetland Sloped HFW Heinrichsberg near Magdeburg, for app. 400 people) construction summer 2006

56 Purification performance 1 Prerequisites for long-term running of CWs: Effective pretreatment Aerobic rot tanks are more efficient than anaerobic digesters Specific treatment area > 50 m²/m³ per Tag (Lüderitz et al., 2001) Combination of the advantages of VFW (nitrification) und HFW (denitrification) Especially for N-elimination (evtl. in a sloped HFW) Intermittent load Fluctuation of aerobic and anaerobic conditions Long flowing distances and contact times Addition of metallic iron at bei ph values between 4,6 und 4,9 good removal of P (Lüderitz et al., 2001) Combination with technical systems or treatment ponds makes sense in the case of big systems

57 Purification performance 2 Parameter Purification performance of a HFW in long-term running Purification performance [%] Outflow concentration [mg/l] CSB BSB NH 4+ -N 95 5 N-total P-total 97 0,5

58 Bacteria Typical taxa: Salmonella diarrhoe, typhus, gastroenteritis Escherichia coli (E. coli) diarrhoe indication of fecal load streptococci tonsilitis, meningitis Mechanisms of elimination: mechanical removal by adsorption and filtration competition with soil bacteria predators (protozoa) antibiotic effects suboptimal temperatures low ph fecal coliforms sum parameter indication of bowel bacteria in water

59 Elimination of bacteria in a VFW

60 Example from an international largescale project: Multifunctionability of constructed wetlands in arid regions

61 New River Wetlands Project 1 Problems 44 ppt salinity high evaporation rate (arid region) high concentration of selenium other contaminants by inflows: New River Alamo River Whitewater River Big water consumption by agriculture 50 % of the agricultural production of the USA water from Colorado River Imperial Valley mit Salton Sea (source: google earth)

62 New River Wetlands Project 2 Aims: enhancement of the quality of the Salton Sea enhancement of the quality of the tributarities Conditions: large areas climate vegetation period = 365 d/a climate high rate of evaporation biotop refuge in an agricultural region

63 New River Wetlands Project 3 Brawley Wetland (source: Imperial Wetland (source: newriverwetlands.com)