Abstract:
This report describes results of baseline monitoring at the Ni-les’tun tidal wetland restoration site, Bandon National Wildlife Refuge, Coquille River estuary of Oregon. Baseline monitoring provides a basis for comparison to post-restoration conditions, allowing future determination of project effectiveness. The report focuses on 2010-2011 baseline data, but it also includes information from our team’s earlier monitoring efforts during 2003-2005. These earlier monitoring data leverage the 2010-2011 effort, providing a longer-term perspective and better understanding of site dynamics. We also provide some early glimpses of likely post-restoration conditions, based on data from the reference site and some preliminary post-restoration monitoring in fall 2011.