The evolving science of stream restoration

Stream restoration is a general term used for the wide range of actions undertaken to improve the geomorphic and ecologic function, structure, and integrity of river corridors. While the practice of stream restoration is not new to geomorphic, ecologic, or engineering communities, the number of restoration activities and their associated costs has increased dramatically over the last few decades because of government policies intended to protect and restore water quality and aquatic species and their habitats. The goals and objectives, tools and technologies, approaches and applications, and assessment and monitoring standards promoted and employed in stream restoration are rapidly evolving in response to this increased focus and funding. Because technology transfer is an important activity in scientific discourse, this volume provides a comprehensive, integrative, and interdisciplinary synthesis of process-based approaches, tools, and techniques currently used in stream restoration, as well as their philosophical and conceptual foundations. This introductory paper provides a brief summary of the history and evolving science of stream restoration and emerging areas relevant to the stream restoration community.