Showing papers by "Denise J. Reed published in 2004"

Coast 2050: A New Approach to Restoration of Louisiana Coastal Wetlands

Abstract: The loss of Louisiana's coastal wetlands continued at a rate of over 60 km2 per year in the 1990s and continued losses of an additional 1295 km2 are projected by 2050. The rapid rate of land loss is attributed to a complex combination of natural landscape dynamics and massive human alterations of deltaic and wetland hydrology. While the problem was recognized in the 1970s, concerted attempts at restoration did not begin until the 1990s. Initial efforts largely focused on addressing local problem areas and were often defensive in nature; that is they sought to prevent future losses rather than restoring any of the wetlands which had already converted to open water. In the late 1990s, a new plan was developed with a more systemic approach to restoration. The Coast 2050 plan embraces the problems at the ecosystem scale and seeks to restore essential processes rather than continued manipulation of wetland hydrology. Implementation of this plan in the 21st century will require detailed consideration of riverin...