8 Sep 2025

US Army Corps of Engineers Aquatic Restoration Monitoring for Ecosystem Recovery (ARMER) Network

Abstract: Long-term, high-quality ecosystem restoration monitoring is essential to achieve recovery and maximize restoration investments. However, there are many challenges associated with restoration monitoring that inhibit effective collection, storage and management, communication, and utilization of ecosystem recovery information. A nationwide monitoring network of restoration and reference sites is needed to generate high-quality, replicated datasets to address large-scale ecosystem restoration challenges. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) makes significant annual investments in ecosystem restoration projects and monitoring for adaptive management under their aquatic ecosystem restoration mission, and thus, is uniquely positioned to lead the development of an ecosystem recovery monitoring network. Investments in large-scale, long-term data collection and management would allow USACE to (1) improve data consistency and data replication to reduce uncertainty in ecological recovery assessments, (2) demonstrate the socioecological benefits of restoration to better inform future restoration investments, and (3) improve the USACE’s ability to publicly communicate returns on investments and the nationwide value of aquatic ecosystem restoration. This report details a roadmap for how USACE could leverage aquatic ecosystem restoration investments to operationalize the USACE Aquatic Restoration Monitoring for Ecosystem Recovery (ARMER) Network and advance the science of aquatic ecosystem restoration.

29 Aug 2025

Monitoring of Understudied Wetlands: State of Knowledge

Abstract: Some wetlands can present unique challenges for mapping and monitoring due to their size, location, foliage architecture, and spectral characteristics. For instance, assessing ecological condition and restoration success using traditional remote-sensing systems in forested and ephemeral wetlands is onerous. Therefore, the purpose of this technical note is to evaluate the state of knowledge and technology related to the use of remote sensing in assessing vegetation dynamics in understudied and hard to monitor wetlands. Ultimately, this exercise will identify data gaps and recommend improvements for analyzing and modeling wetland systems and trends, quantifying disturbance impacts, and assist efficiencies of data collection to improve management decisions, which in turn will help in reaching restoration goals.

9 Jun 2025

Review of Remote-Sensing Methods for Mapping Riparian and Submerged Aquatic Vegetation: Support for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring and Flood Risk Management

Abstract: Riparian vegetation, defined as multilayered herbaceous and woody plant communities along river margins or bank edges, and freshwater submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), described as rooted aquatic plants in shallow rivers, lakes, and estuaries, are key factors influencing the connection between river and floodplain systems. These vegetation types are often used as indicators of riparian health. Current data on riparian vegetation and SAV are essential for addressing future water resource needs, particularly for restoration monitoring and flood risk management. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as the federal government’s largest water resources development and management agency, requires updated monitoring and assessment methods to support the development, utilization, and conservation of water and related resources. Assessing large riparian corridors involves characterizing baseline conditions, habitat extents, vegetation patterns, and health. Vegetation and habitat data are critical for evaluating the effects of project operations, resource management, and restoration outcomes downstream from USACE dams. However, obtaining such data across large, dynamic, and inaccessible river reaches is challenging. Integrating field-based techniques with remote-sensing technology offers opportunities to map larger areas comprehensively and adapt to future water resource needs. This report reviews re-mote sensing methods for mapping riparian and SAV habitats with emphasis on vegetation characteristics.

25 Jul 2024

Regeneration Dynamics of Bottomland Hardwood Sites Following Prolonged Growing-Season Inundation

Abstract: The spring flood of the Mississippi River and backwater areas in 2019 resulted in large-scale flooding and was the longest-lasting flood event since the Great Flood of 1927. This flood event provided a rare opportunity to establish permanent plots in batture and backwater habitats to evaluate forest-stand dynamics following prolonged flooding. In this study, we evaluated postflooding conditions of forest overstory, midstory, and regeneration by establishing permanent plots at four locations subjected to varying amounts of flooding within the Mississippi River batture and the Yazoo–Mississippi Delta backwater region. Our results highlight oak regeneration success following the 2019 flood event as well as the utility and need to establish and monitor permanent plots to increase our understanding of floodplain forest dynamics in regions experiencing prolonged riverine flooding during the growing season.

21 May 2024

Engineering With Nature: An Atlas, Volume 3

Abstract: Engineering With Nature: An Atlas, Volume 3 showcases EWN principles and practices “in action” through 58 projects from around the world. These exemplary projects demonstrate what it means to partner with nature to deliver engineering solutions with triple-win benefits. The collection of projects included were developed and constructed by a large number of government, private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and other organizations. Through the use of photographs and narrative descriptions, the EWN Atlas was developed to inspire interested readers and practitioners with the potential to engineer with nature.

5 Mar 2024

Environmental DNA Sampling for At-Risk and Invasive Species Management on Military Ranges: Guidelines and Protocols for Installation Biologists and Land Managers

Abstract: Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, or the detection of trace DNA shed by organisms into their environment, has the potential to transform Army capabilities for threatened and endangered species (TES) and invasive species management by providing a rapid, noninvasive, and cost-effective option for monitoring wildlife. Despite these benefits, eDNA analysis is underutilized on military installations as limited access to guidance materials, protocols, training opportunities, and support from eDNA scientists makes it difficult for installation biologists and military land managers to design and execute eDNA surveys, let alone identify management questions that may benefit from eDNA monitoring. Therefore, the aim of this resource is to increase awareness of the benefits and limitations of eDNA monitoring and provide eDNA study design guidelines and field sampling protocols for nonexperts to make this tool more accessible to installation biologists and land managers and help facilitate the adoption of eDNA-based approaches for wildlife management on military ranges.

9 Feb 2024

Overview of Microscale Analytical Methods for the Quantitative Detection of Bioaccumulative Contaminants in Small Tissue Masses

Abstract: For many bioaccumulation studies, generation of large sample masses of exposed organisms is challenging or even prohibitive. Therefore, the use of smaller sample masses for analysis without compromising data quality or quantitative level achieved is desirable. To this end, a variety of microanalytical procedures have been developed that used 1 g or less of tissue to address specific experimental challenges. However, these methods have not been systematically evaluated or published. The present work evaluates the current state of the microanalytical methods reported and identifies additional needs that would benefit US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) research and navigation dredging programs. Discussions with commercial laboratories revealed that they typically do not accept small sample masses and require individual sample masses ranging from 10 to 20 g wet weight of tissue per analysis. If they do analyze a small mass sample, they routinely do not modify their standard process, resulting in detection and reporting limits orders of magnitude higher; therefore, essentially useless nondetect data are generated for regulatory decisions. To address the lack of commercial availability of microanalytical methods, we recommend pursuing method development and subsequent validation of microscale extraction and analysis of a variety of common contaminant compounds in tissue matrices.

29 Sep 2022

Birds of the Craney Island Dredged Material Management Area, Portsmouth, Virginia, 2008-2020

Abstract: This report presents the results of a long-term trend analyses of seasonal bird community data from a monitoring effort conducted on the Craney Island Dredged Material Management Area (CIDMMA) from 2008 to 2020, Portsmouth, VA. The USACE Richmond District collaborated with the College of William and Mary and the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory, Waterbird Team, to conduct year-round semimonthly area counts of the CIDMMA to examine species presence and population changes overtime. This effort provides information on the importance of the area to numerous bird species and bird species’ groups and provides an index to those species and group showing significant changes in populations during the monitoring period. We identified those species regionally identified as Highest, High, and Moderate Priority Species based on their status as rare, sensitive, or in need of conservation attention as identified by the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture (ACJV), Bird Conservation Region (BCR), New England/Mid-Atlantic Bird Conservation Area (BCR 30). Of 134 ranked priority species in the region, the CIDMMA supported 102 of 134 (76%) recognized in the BCR, including 16 of 19 (84%) of Highest priority ranked species, 47 of 60 (78.3%) of High priority species, and 39 of 55 (71%) of Moderate priority species for BCR 30. All bird count and species richness data collected were fitted to a negative binomial (mean abundance) or Poisson distribution (mean species richness) and a total of 271 species and over 1.5 million birds were detected during the monitoring period. Most all bird species and species groups showed stable or increasing trends during the monitoring period. These results indicate that the CIDMMA is an important site that supports numerous avian species of local and regional conservation concern throughout the year.

13 Oct 2021

Engineering With Nature®: Supporting Mission Resilience and Infrastructure Value at Department of Defense Installations

Abstract: This book illustrates some of the current challenges and hazards experienced by military installations, and the content highlights activities at seven military installations to achieve increased resilience through natural infrastructure.

30 Aug 2021

Variation in Inhibitor Effects on qPCR Assays and implications for eDNA Surveys

Abstract: Aquatic environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys are sometimes impacted by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors. We tested varying concentrations of different inhibitors (humic, phytic, and tannic acids; crude leaf extracts) for impacts on quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays designed for eDNA surveys of bighead and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). We also tested for inhibition by high concentrations of exogenous DNA, hypothesizing that DNA from increasingly closely related species would be increasingly inhibitory. All tested inhibitors impacted qPCR, though only at very high concentrations — likely a function, in part, of having used an inhibitor-resistant qPCR solution. Closer phylogenetic relatedness resulted in inhibition at lower exogenous DNA concentrations, but not at relatively close phylogenetic scales. Inhibition was also influenced by the qPCR reporter dye used. Importantly, different qPCR assays responded differently to the same inhibitor concentrations. Implications of these results are that the inclusion of more than one assay for the same target taxa in an eDNA survey may be an important countermeasure against false negatives and that internal positive controls may not, in the absence of efforts to maximize inhibition compatibility, provide useful information about the inhibition of an eDNA assay.