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Marine Habitat Restoration

Habitat restoration is the process of returning a degraded habitat to a stable state that mimics its former pre-disturbed condition. Degradation can occur because of unnatural amounts of sediment, debris and solid structures, which often smother subtidal and intertidal marine life. This may create barren tracts of sea floor which lack 3-D habitat structure and points of attachment for kelp and algae. Or the bacteria which decompose submerged woody debris from log handling activities, reduces dissolved oxygen required for benthic and other aquatic organisms to thrive. Shoreline habitats can be impacted by the placement of artificial structures such as boat ramps, wharfs, or shoreline fills associated with coastal development projects

Habitat restoration is a stepping stone towards correcting imbalances from historical practices or cumulative impact of overdeveloped shorelines. By restoring habitat structure for intertidal salt marshes and sea grasses, high value marine habitat is produced that provides critical food sources and shelter to a variety of marine organisms. Habitat restoration stabilizes coastlines and marine sediments and acts as a valuable carbon sink in the fight against climate change.

Initial baseline surveys

  • Site identification and mapping
  • Species inventory and analysis
  • Water quality analysis

Restoration Prescription

  • Conceptual to detailed designs and reports
  • Artificial reefs, foreshore reclamation, sediment capping
  • Terrain modeling using SCUBA, ROV and sonar surveys
  • Sediment and drainage management plans
  • Regulatory agency approval processing

On-site project management

  • Biological salvaging
  • Riparian planting/thinning
  • Environmental monitoring and construction supervision

Reporting

  • Detailed report of project scope, rationale, actions and results
  • Topographic survey drawings
  • Spatial layers
  • Timelapse photography, videography
  • Aerial/underwater imaging
Restoration sites can also be developed to address habitat compensation requirements associated with proposed development in the marine environment. See Habitat Banking here