Notes on the ecological restoration of fen meadows, ombrogenous bogs and rivers: definitions, techniques, problems

1 Definitions of the current technical terms in the field of restoration ecology are followed by a discussion of restoration efforts in three ecosystem types: fen meadows, ombrogenous bogs and rivers. 2 The main steps in restoring species-rich oligotrophic wet meadows on formerly fertilized grassland or arable land are the removal of excessive nutrients, the correction of the water table and the re-introduction of species. 3 Restoration of ombrogenous bog depends mainly on the successful re-establishment of suitable hydraulic conditions which will often give rise to a spontaneous recolonization by typical bog species; details of the artificial re-introduction of Sphagnum species are also given. 4 In restoring riverine ecosystems, for example by recreating meanders, apart from controlling flood hazards consideration will have to be given primarily to a variable design but consequences on the sediment transport should be carefully studied. Vegetation can in most cases be left to natural succession, whereas providing unhindered up- and downstream migration and resting places for animals is an important issue.