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Wetland types |
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Prairie potholes |
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Functions and values |
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Prairie Pothole wetlands are important to local and regional
water cycles. They can drain or recharge groundwater
depending on the specific situation. Groundwater recharged
by wetlands may end up in surface waters or may replenish
soil moisture. As in most cases, the loss of wetlands can
increase flooding. In North Dakota, wetland drainage is
thought to have contributed to the doubling of the number of
floods on the Red River of the North since 1970.
The Prairie Pothole Region contains the most critical
waterfowl breeding habitat remaining in North America. The
many isolated wetlands interspersed with short, tall grass
and mixed-grasses creates a unique combination of habitats
that support many migratory ground nesting birds. The
prairie pothole regions of North Dakota, South Dakota,
Minnesota, and Iowa have historically produced up to 75% of
all waterfowl in the United States in a given year.
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Potholes are used for hunting, fishing, trapping, boating,
swimming, wildlife watching, photography and nature study.
Farmers and ranchers rely on wet areas during times of
drought to maintain forage for grazing areas. |
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