Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between natural wetlands and artificial wetlands?

The distinction between natural and artificial wetlands is important. Artificially-created wetlands are normally unable to function at the levels of biological and hydrologic complexity of their natural models. They frequently feature very limited varieties of plants and animals, rendering them extremely vulnerable to diseases and other such disturbances. Natural wetlands are characterized by the diverse plethora of plant and animal species, which allow them to ignore many disturbances that would devastate artificial wetlands.

Restoration Park is considered to be a natural wetland, where humans had no part in the transformation from gravel pit to wetlands. Man-made alterations were made only after it was recognized as a wetlands site. Furthermore, the alterations made were carefully planned not to harm the wetland and/or to accelerate its evolution into a mature wetland site.

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