Complex biotic and abiotic processes govern interactions between vegetation, soil, hydrology and fauna in wetland ecosystems. Vegetation is the major biological component of forested wetlands, influencing many aspects of ecosystem structure, function, and sustainable productivity. It is also the primary target of most management and restoration activities.
However, consideration of the hydrology and soils is also fundamental to the considerations of sustainability. Developing the ability to predict responses to management and the consequent effects on wetland functions is central to developing useful guidelines for management and conservation.
The foundation of the Center’s program is predicted on understanding the hydrologic and biogeochemical cycles as a basis for sustainability. It uses a combination of long-term monitoring, field and laboratory experiments, and modeling to assess specific questions regarding the management and restoration of wetland landscapes.