Restoration ecology

Palmer conducted multiple research projects in the field of restoration ecology and co-authored the book Foundations of Restoration Ecology.^[2] She outlines the methods and goals associated with restoring ecosystems and works to bridge the gap between ecological theory and restorative ecology in practice. The book provides a history of ecological theory and restoration, requirements for a functional ecosystem, and planning for environmental stressors like climate change. In her research, she challenges the traditional methods of stream restoration that focus solely on improving the physical aspects of stream habitats such as adding meanders.^[15] She suggests a more holistic approach that observes the inputs and outputs of the ecosystem and how biodiversity can be increased.^[14][15]

Mountaintop mining

Palmer led a study on the impacts of mountaintop mining, a method of extracting coal by removing the summits of mountains to access coal seams close to the surface, on stream ecosystems.^[16] The study concluded that the controversial method of resource extraction has irreversible effects on the ecosystem, specifically headwater systems. Palmer documents the change in stream health showing a decrease in species biodiversity, poor water quality, higher stormwater runoff, and high concentrations of contaminants.^[17] She has been called as an expert witness to testify before congress on the issue of mountain top mining and joined other scientists in calling for an end to the practice.^[18]

Contributions to ecotoxicology

Palmer's research extends into the field of ecotoxicology where her research has shown that the addition of physical structures or improvements to habitat complexity is not sufficient for increasing biodiversity when contaminants are still entering the ecosystem.^[15] In Chesapeake Bay, she has research nonpoint source pollution in stream-wetland complexes which were designed to increase hydraulic conductivity and filter out pollutants to reduce the total suspended solids (TSS).^[19] Palmer's research concluded that stressors such as intense storms and the volume of TSS upstream were more likely to affect stream health than increasing stream-wetland complexes.^[19][14]

Selected publications

• Palmer, M.A. et al. 2004. Ecology for a crowded planet. Science 304: 1251-1252.^[13]
• Bernhardt, E.S., M. A. Palmer et al. 2005. Restoration of U.S. Rivers: a national synthesis. Science 308:636-637.^[12]
• Palmer, M.A. et al. 2010. Mountaintop Mining Consequences. Science 327 (5962): 148-149.^[11]
• Palmer, M.A., C. Reidy, C. Nilsson et al. 2008. Climate change and the world's river basins: anticipating response options. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6: 81-89.^[20]
• Palmer, M.A., B. Koch, and K. Hondula. 2014. Ecological restoration of streams and rivers: shifting strategies and shifting goals. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 45: 247-269^[14]