Applied Ecological Services is an environmental restoration company that has been providing sustainable solutions for over 35 years. They specialize in restoring degraded landscapes such as rivers, coastal environments, and watersheds. Their projects aim to restore the natural functions of ecosystems by reestablishing soil carbon levels, water cycles, biodiversity, and improving human relationships with the land. They have completed over 9,000 restoration projects worldwide.
9. Des Plaines River
Discharge (CFS) at Riverside, Illinois, 1886-1988
-1000
0
1000
1000
2000
3000
0 70605040302010
-200
0
200
400
600
800
0 70605040302010
HIGH FLOWS
•High flows have doubled
•From 1886-1904, 1.5 high flows/yr
•Presently, 3-5 high flows/yr
MEDIAN FLOWS
•Median flows are 400 times higher
-100
0
100
200
300
400
0 70605040302010
LOW FLOWS
•Low flows are 250 times higher
Annual Hydrographs and Normal Average Water Levels for Restored Wetlands.
Designed by Engineers vs. Ecologists
Spring Fall FallSpring
Avg. Avg.
* Unpredictable Swings in Water Levels
* Creates Biological Instability
* Promotes Habitats for Weeds and Poor Aesthetics
* Promotes Poor Water Quality
* Annual Seasonal High and Low
* Predictable Hydraulics and Seasonal Trajectory
* Promotes Habitat for Stable yet Dynamic Plant Communities
(Diversity of Plants and Animals)
File name: C:DRAWINGS199797-45HYDRLGY
No changes in storm intensity, frequency, or
rainfall distributions!
Soil Carbon collapse (~9% to 1.5%)
Imperviousness (0 to 15%)
Agricultural tiling (0~70%)
11. STT- FIRST AT PRAIRIE CROSSING
A System of Connected, Restored Open Space--------------- instead of pipes and detention ponds.
Setting New Standards—On Hundreds of projects
12. Creating Great Places ! (Saving $$)
Swimmable/Fishable Water High Clarity and Quality
Unprecedented Results:
•Lake Leopold, refugia for rare fish.
• Restored Prairies, home to rare grassland birds
•Renewed connections between people and place and to each other.
13. Kankakee Sands, Indiana
Junk.shp
Soil/Vegetation Relationship
WATER
EMERGENT
SEDGE
WET MESIC/ SEDGE
MESIC/ WET MESIC
SAVANNA
Management Units
D
B
C
N
O
E F
G H
I
J
K
L
M
Soil/Vegetation Relationship
WATER
EMERGENT
SEDGE
WET MESIC/ SEDGE
MESIC/ WET MESIC
SAVANNA
#Y
#Y#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
%U
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y #Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y #Y
#Y #Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
%U
#Y#Y#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
#Y #Y #Y
#Y
#Y
#Y
D
B
C
N
O
E F
G H
I
J
K
L
M
Drainage System
District Main Ditch
Regional Main
Field Drain
Local Feeder
Drainage System
Abandon
Proposed Control Structures
%U Major Controls
#Y Minor Controls
14. Lower Don Lands Revitalization
Toronto, Ontario
River Mouth and Hydrology
Restoration