Confronting centuries of change: a synopsis of restoration challenges for Midwestern Rivers

Midwestern rivers have undergone centuries of degradation from a host of factors, including urbanization, agricultural and navigational practices, and invasive species.  These disturbances have unequivocally changed the structure and function of rivers by introducing pollutants, disconnecting river channels from floodplains, fragmenting habitats, and altering biotic communities.  Although social and political actions have improved water quality during the last 50 years, lasting changes to river infrastructure still persist; despite decades of habitat restoration and mitigation efforts, most Midwestern Rivers still suffer the deleterious effects of humankind’s conquering legacy.  This synopsis of a 2015 special symposium at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference will discuss historical context, past and current restoration and mitigation efforts, and future challenges to the restoration of our floodplain rivers.