Herbivore exclusion and active planting stimulate reed marsh development on a newly constructed archipelago

Wetlands provide vital services on which human societies depend. As they have been rapidly degrading due to anthropogenic impacts worldwide, wetland restoration is increasingly applied. When a return the original state of constrained, forward-looking can new way enhance an ecosystem's ecological integrity. However, direction in ecosystems will develop strongly coupled initial environmental conditions and may benefit from active decisions (future) management. To improve natural values freshwater lake Netherlands, project was initiated Markermeer 2016, involving construction 700-ha archipelago called “Marker Wadden”. This should habitat higher trophic levels lake's food web through development currently missing Common reed (Phragmites australis) dominated marshlands with gradual land-water transitions. faces strong grazing pressure by Greylag geese (Anser anser) that possibly inhibit establishment. Here, we aimed unravel effect herbivory (using exclosures) introduction rhizomes early vegetation carbon dynamics bare soils this ecosystem manipulative field experiment. Our results showed excluding herbivores increased reed-vegetation cover, density maximum height, but only when were actively introduced. Spontaneous limited, colonization Broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia) over reed. Net exchange respiration linked development, highest methane emissions most densely vegetated plots. We conclude establishment marshes reed, otherwise other types establish more slowly newly created wetlands. illustrates how management has potential novel ecosystems.