Restore Forested and Naturally Vegetated Conditions
R6Restore Forested and Naturally Vegetated Conditions
3 points possible
Why this matters to the lake?
Actions to restore the natural landscapes bolster these benefits locally and watershed wide. A natural landscape is an important tool in the reduction of stomwater runoff volume and velocity, and to improve water quality. While in reality natural conditions cannot be replicated, restoring the landscape allows natural processes to bring about a gradual recovery and reintroduce significant missing ecosystem components and processes.
Intent
- Restore, enhance, and maintain the health of natural landscapes to initiate and accelerate the recovery of ecosystem health.
- Restore previously disturbed lawn or disturbed forest to natural conditions.
- Restore water quality through sediment and pollutant removal by restoring the natural landscape.
- Restore critical environmental areas and sensitive sites for habitat protection.
Recommended Methods
Assess existing vegetation onsite and delineate areas for restoration. Intervene minimally to counteract disturbance. Remove invasive species where necessary, and identify glaring problems and factors that suppress the regeneration of native plants. Use a local, healthy landscape model to help determine the planting arrangement, density, and plant species. Restoration guidelines below. In all landscape restoration methods, the density of plantings is high. Loss of plants is part of the process and there is no need to leave space for a plant to develop to its mature size..
Forested Landscape: A high quality forest is densely vegetated with native plants, a diverse canopy, shrubs, and ground layer vegetation. There are several approaches in restoring a landscape to forested conditions. One approach is to plant a meadow interspersed with canopy trees that will act as a seed source for succession. For smaller restoration areas, plant a dense cover of tree seedlings. Regardless of the restoration method, restoring a site to a forested landscape requires careful monitoring and removal of invasive species. Consider retaining a consulting forester to produce a forest restoration and management plan tailored for the site that uses native species already adapted for the region.
Meadow Landscape: A reduction in mowing frequency can gradually convert a lawn in to a tall grass and wildflower meadow. This method is most effective where native soils are relatively intact. This method of conversion has the advantage of exposing no bare soil. The establishment of the meadow may be advanced by over-seeding or planting native plugs.
Requirements
Points are awarded based on the percentage of site restored following the guidelines above.
Greater than 50% of the limit of disturbance restored | 3 points |
Greater than 25% of the limit of disturbance restored | 2 points |
Greater than 10% of the limit of disturbance restored | 1 point |
One point will be awarded to a site that demonstrates a decreased forested canopy edge (in linear feet) due to restoration.
For residential properties proposed phasing plans must meet the following requirements:
- Phase One: 50% of proposed restoration area at time of development.
- Phase Two: 25% of proposed restoration within two-year period.
- Phase Three: Remaining 25% within five years.
Submittals
Include the following information with application:
✓ As part of the Proposed Site Plan, the applicant should show the existing and proposed land cover and the extent area to be restored and provide a landscape restoration plan.
Other Resources
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“Preliminary List of Species Native Within the Adirondak Park” Adirondack Park Agency
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Forest Health, Forest Management.
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Sauer, Leslie J. 1998. Once and Future Forest: A Guide to Forest Restoration Strategies. Island Press.
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University of Tennessee Extension Service. 2004. A Landowner’s Guide to Native Warm-Season Grasses in Mid-South Website: http//www.utextension.utk.edu/.
- New Jersey Audubon Society. 2009. Mowing Sites Using the Turf/Meadow Conversion.