Evaluation of the ecological goals of large-scale restoration projects poses monitoring challenges stemming from the complexity and scale of the systems under study. The final phase (Phase II/III) of canal backfilling and flow reestablishment for the Kissimmee River Restoration Project is scheduled to begin in 2010. The primary engineering approach of the project is reconstruction of the pre-channelization physical habitat template, including backfilling approximately 1/3 of the C-38 flood control canal, reconnection of remnant river channels, and reestablishment of the hydrologic characteristics (discharge, flow, hydroperiod, seasonality, and variability) needed for recovery of this river/wetland ecosystem. In total, the project is expected to restore over 50 km² of river and floodplain habitat. Monitoring studies are designed to evaluate whether the restoration project is meeting its stated goal of reestablished ecological integrity by comparing monitoring results with reference data. Baseline data collection for evaluation of Phase II/III will be conducted in the 2-3 years prior to construction, with response monitoring to continue following construction completion.

Results/Conclusions

Planned studies include broad-scale projects that spatially encompass the entire river and floodplain system including control areas (e.g., aerial photography and vegetation mapping, aerial bird surveys, spatial-statistical modeling of floodplain hydroperiod); measurements of the physical parameters of the system (hydrology, geomorphology, dissolved oxygen, and floodplain phosphorus assimilation and release); and tracking of the responses of biological communities including plants, invertebrates, herpetofauna, fish, and birds. Evaluation monitoring projects in place for Phase I construction (completed in 2001) are ongoing and were used to guide and refine design of the Phase II/III studies. This paper will discuss the challenges being addressed in evaluation study design for Phase II/III, including a) refinement and extension of Phase I study designs, b) spatial and temporal integration of sampling events to enhance correlative analyses among studies, c) sampling extent and intensity issues, d) stratification in study designs, e) extrapolation of the results of limited-extent monitoring studies, and f) challenges related to integrative analysis of results.