Floodplain restoration at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia: an adaptive management approach integrating canebrake ecosystem services

Conservation staff at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia are in the process of removing large stands of invasive species and restoring native plant communities along the Oconee River floodplain. The species selected for restoration plantings must be quick to establish, provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, and be able to compete with invasive exotic plants. They must also be able to withstand floodwaters and stabilize soils preventing further erosion along the river corridor. Rivercane (Arundinaria gigantea) is a regionally appropriate plant that can improve ecosystem function and cultural value while creating a distinctive aesthetic. This thesis includes a comprehensive overview of canebrake restoration, an inventory of in situ populations of cane at the State Botanical Garden and management guidelines for encouraging canebrake establishment and expansion.