Johnson County Soil & Water Conservation District"In the preservation of
our natural resources
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Contents:
What
is a wetland?
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What
is a wetland?
Wetlands are: Those areas
that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency
and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances
to support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in
saturated soil conditions. In other words for an area to be considered
a wetland, the area must contain three things: Water, wetland plants,
and wetland soils.
Wetlands, however, do not need to contain water year round. Some wetlands, such as vernal pools, may be dry for up to 97% of the year. Wetlands can be permanent (flooded throughout the year in all years), intermittent (flooded throughout the year except in periods of extreme drought), seasonal (flooded in the growing season of most years), saturated (subsurface is saturated for extended periods in the growing season while standing water is rarely present), or temporary (flooding for brief periods in the growing season while the water table is otherwise below the surface).
Wetland plants are plants that have adapted to be able to live in wetland conditions. They must be adapted to live for long periods with little or no oxygen, be able to withstand erosive conditions from moving water, and withstand a variety of salinity levels that would be toxic to most plants. Wetland plants have developed numerous ways of dealing with the conditions of wetlands. These include airspaces within the stems and roots, oxygen rich zone around the roots, and roots that develop above the water.
Wetland soils are commonly called “hydric soils”. Hydric soils can be characterized by soil color (usually grayish in color), soil permeability (containing a layer of poorly permeable or impermeable soils), soil texture (fine textures of silts and clays), and soil smell (a sulfurous or rotten egg type smell).
Environmental Functions Of A Wetland
Wetlands serve an important role as the mediator between terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems. Although they possess qualities of each adjacent
ecosystem, they are both highly unique and highly dependant all at the
same time.
Throughout southeast Iowa, wetlands are credited with performing three
major environmental functions: water filtration, water absorption and
wildlife habitat.
Wetlands are nature's version of the Brita® filter. The aquatic plants,
organisms, and microbes that live in wetlands are highly efficient at
using and removing excess nutrients, residual chemicals and organic
wastes from surface waters. Some wetland plants even can remove heavy
metals, like mercury and cadmium, from surface water and bind it in
their tissue at concentrations up to 100,000 times greater than that in
the water.
Research also has indicated healthy Iowa wetlands are capable of
treating agricultural runoff at ratios up to 1:100. That is to say a
1-acre wetland properly located on the landscape could remove excess
nitrogen from 100 acres of cropland.
Municipalities across the country are using wetlands for wastewater
treatment, removing up to 99 percent of fecal coliform bacteria. We've
only just scratched the surface and already it's easy to see how
valuable wetlands are to all of society.
IowaWetlands – A Race We Don't Want To Win
A U.S. Fish & Wildlife study
released in 1990 determined that Iowa had lost 89% of the more than
4,000,000 acres of wetlands we had in the late 1700’s, which put us in
third place behind only Ohio and California as the state with the
highest percentage of wetlands destroyed. Imagine the surprise of
Iowans to learn of our position near the top of the infamous list.
Furthermore, we found ourselves “racing” for the title of #1 Wetland
Destroying State with every additional acre of wetland conversion.
Historically, we humans have been very successful in our attempts to
drain wetlands for conversion to other uses. Early settlers to Iowa
realized the value and potential to grow crops in the fertile, black
soils of the prairies and wetlands that dotted the landscape. They
began the process of digging ditches, laying drainage tile, and dredging
creeks and rivers that continued on through the 1970’s. Our “successes”
in accomplishing this task has ultimately cost us in the long run. You
see, wetlands are nature’s version of the sponge. They effectively trap
and then slowly release waters from heavy precipitation events and
roaring floods. Wetlands’ ability to trap water also has a steadying
effect on the water table and stream-base flows, reducing the need for
levees, flood-retention structures, and costly dredging projects.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Mississippi River
once had the capacity to store sixty days of floodwater. The conversion
of floodplain wetlands in the Mississippi basin has reduced that storage
capacity to only twelve days.
This function is of
extreme importance to all of us because fresh water isn’t being produced
or manufactured anymore! Yes, it’s true; our fresh water supply is 100%
recycled. The quality and amount of clean, safe drinking water that we
have at our disposal is in part directly dependant on our wetlands.
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Frogs, Turtles, Snakes And OtherHerps Are In Trouble
Before you say you’re not disappointed that frogs, turtles, snakes and other herps, as they’re called, are in trouble, read on. They may be among the most misunderstood of species; most are not nearly as dangerous as people fear them to be. In fact, they are beneficial in the chain of life, eating insects, rodents and other pests. But they are in decline in the United States and worldwide, largely because of the loss or degradation of habitat.
Amphibians have been dubbed the aquatic “canary of the coal mine” because they reveal the subtle declines in environmental health. There are specific habitat needs of different species of amphibians and reptiles, and you could help those species with specific habitats. But generally, you can help herp habitat by improving habitat for wildlife in general. Some of the steps that help most wildlife species, including herps, are:
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Keep or establish natural vegetation along ponds, streams, wetlands, crop fields and wherever else possible to protect the land and provide food and cover for wildlife.
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Large habitat areas are more valuable to herps than a series of small areas. Try to keep from “fragmenting” large areas,
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Establish well-vegetated corridors to connect patches of habitat, so herps can travel from one to another with protection.
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Protect and restore wetlands, including seasonal wetlands, some of the most important habitat to amphibians.
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Establish buffer zones with native vegetation around wetlands.
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Leave logs, snags, and other woody debris.
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Leave protective vegetation 50-75 feet wide along streams, to guard against streambank erosion and to provide cover for many herps.
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Keep cattle out of streams.
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Don’t clear-cut forests, and manage forestland for a diversity of plant habitat with understory.
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Use selective spot spraying or wick application if herbicides are applied near waterways. Avoid them if you can.
Restored Wetlands Giving New Life To Waterfowl, Wildlife
Did you know....
The USDA has helped private
landowners restore more than a million acres of wetlands in the U.S.
since 1992. The restorations help tens of millions of migratory and
nesting waterfowl as well as other wildlife species.
As our country developed
into the most agriculturally productive nation in the world
in the 1900s, more than half the nation’s wetlands were
drained. In some states, more than 90 percent of the native wetland
habitat was converted to farmland. The wetlands were drained with
public and government support in an effort to expand agricultural
production, particularly in the first half of the century. Not
surprisingly, waterfowl numbers dropped as wetlands were drained.
More recently, especially in the past 10-15 years, better knowledge of the values of wetlands has led to public opinion and policy changes to restore wetlands rather than continue to drain them. And, of course, as wetlands are being restored, waterfowl and wildlife are responding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wetlands Reserve Program has helped private landowners restore more than a million acres of wetlands since 1992, averaging more than 100,000 acres a year.
These restored wetlands give benefits on a continental scale to migratory birds. Many birds nesting in Canada or on restored WRP sites in North Dakota and New York also winter in Louisiana or Mexico and Central America.
A scenario that’s being repeated across the country in varying scales comes from the Raft Creek Bottoms along the White River in Arkansas. In the first year of a new 7,000 acre wetland restoration, more than half a million waterfowl visited the site. The following spring, 20,000 shorebirds foraged in the mudflats and bald eagles nested in the trees. Similarly, birds flocked to the Red Slough in Oklahoma when 7,500 acres were restored by local landowners. More than 250 species of birds have now been sighted, including some first-time nesters in the state such as wood storks, willow flycatchers and white ibis.
In addition to wildlife benefits, research has shown that wetlands trap 50 percent of dissolved phosphate, 70 percent of dissolved nitrates, and up to 40 percent of dissolved organic nitrogen.
Wetlands Contend For Most Productive
Wildlife Habitat
Did you know?
About one-half of the nearly 200 animals federally
designated as endangered or threatened in the U.S. are
wetland-dependent.
Wetlands rival the tropical rain forests as the most biologically
productive habitats in temperate regions of the world.
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Wetlands in the United States support nearly 200 species of amphibians, 5,000 plant species, and a third of all native bird species.
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About one-half of the 188 animals that are federally designated as endangered or threatened in the U.S. are wetland dependent. Of these federally listed animals, 17 are bird species or subspecies.
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Most freshwater fish depend on wetlands.
Some wildlife species spend their entire lives in wetlands, while others use them intermittently for breeding, nesting, feeding or rearing their young.
Benefits of Wetlands to Birds.
Birds use wetlands for breeding
and rearing young. Birds also
use wetlands for feeding, resting,
shelter, and social interactions.
Some waterfowl, such as grebes,
have adapted to wetlands to such
an extent that their survival depends on the availability of certain
types of wetlands within their geographic range.
Birds find
food in wetlands in the form of plants and invertebrates such as
shellfish. Birds also feed on small mammals and other birds.
Birds also find shelter in wetland vegetation from predators and the weather. But beware: predators are likely to abound where birds concentrate, breed, or raise their young. Some predators, such as the raccoon, are well adapted to both wetland and upland environments, and take large numbers of both young and nesting birds.
Mammal habitat in wetlands.
Few mammals are as closely
tied to wetlands as are many
birds, but the food, water and
shelter wetlands offer are attractive
to many mammals and
species of upland wildlife.
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Financial Assistance Programs:
CRP
The Conservation Reserve Program is often the most cost effective for restoring/creating wetlands on existing crop ground. CRP offers 10-15 year contracts with annual rental payments and up to 90% cost-share. Sign-up year-round at the Farm Service Agency. After initial eligibility is determined the NRCS will assist with cost-estimates and design.
EQIP
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a year-round sign-up at the NRCS and funds awarded annually based on an environmental benefit ranking system. Cost-share is 50% with contracts of 15 years and often a good choice for ground not eligible for the CRP. NRCS will assist with cost-estimates and design.
WRP
The Wetland Reserve Program is a great choice for landowners interested in leaving a legacy. The purpose is to restore wetlands that were previously altered for agricultural use. Landowners may choose permanent easements, 30-year, or 10-year contracts. Permanent easements pay 100% of the difference between the fair market value of the land now and the fair market value of the property once the proposed easement is in place and 100% cost-share for restoration; 30-year pay 75% of the difference between the fair market value of the land now and the fair market value of the property once the proposed easement is in place and 75% cost-share for restoration. 10-year contracts pay 75% cost-share of the restoration work only.
WHIP
The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program has a year-round sign-up at the NRCS and funds awarded annually based on an environmental benefit ranking system. Nearly all land is eligible, including woodlots, pastures, and streambanks. Cost-share is up to 75% and 15year contracts.
Short Term Special Water Quality Projects
Currently the Lake Macbride watershed (Contact Amy Bouska) and Clear Creek (Contact James Martin) watershed offer up to 75% cost-share for wetland restoration/creation with 15 year contracts. Sign-up is year-round.
Additional Information/Wetland and Wildlife Publications
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Restoring Iowa Wetlands
A snapshot of Iowa’s wetland types, benefits, restoration processes and programs for landowners. http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/news/brochures/publications.html -
A Guide to Conservation Programs for Iowa Landowners
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/IA/news/Programsbrochure.pdf -
Attracting Iowa Wildlife A guide for Providing Habitat on Private Lands http://www.iowadnr.com/wildlife/files/plhabitatguide.html
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NRCS Wildlife Habitat Management Institute website at www.whmi.nrcs.usda.gov
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