THE NEED FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION: A STREAM RESTORATION CASE STUDY

Stream restoration is a growing technique to help improve degraded streams, however, there exists a gap between current research and policy related to restoration. Frequently, restoration projects focus on improving water quality, but one of the main drivers behind this, the hyporheic exchange zone, is often over-looked. The hyporheic exchange zone is crucial in the removal of excess nutrients and pollutants from stream systems. One of the reasons that the hyporheic zone is often over-looked is due to the lack of communication between scientists and the public. The goal of this project was to highlight the need for better communication between scientists and the general public using restoration projects to consider an over-looked yet vital area of stream function. A study conducted along an urbanized stream in Boone, NC as well as other studies show that restoration tends to not affect the hyporheic zone. Recommendations for improving communication about stream restoration and other environmental issues include better transparency in research as well as the concise and effective communication of results.