Nebraska contains more acres of wetlands than any
surrounding state. These wetlands are very diverse and dynamic and include
marshes, lakes, river and stream backwaters, oxbows, wet meadows, fens,
forested swamps, and seep areas. To
help you explore the varying roles that wetlands can play, this site
defines wetlands, discusses their importance and dynamics, identifies
status and trends, describes conservation programs, and takes an in-depth
look at Nebraska’s regional wetland complexes. Take time to visit Nebraska’s
wetlands and learn more about the wealth of opportunities they provide.
This document describes Nebraska's playa wetlands, discusses the process of sedimentation of playas, summarizes data on historic and recent wetland soil profiles, describes the impact that culturally accelerated sedimentation has on numerous wetland functions, and provides recommendations on restoration considerations. Many depressional wetlands, such as Nebraska's playas, are now embedded in agricultural landscapes where tillage of their watershed leads to increased surface runoff and sediment inputs relative to a grassland condition. Eroded sediment from culturally accelerated sources can greatly shorten the life of playa wetlands. Some key conclusions of this document are:
• Data collected in Nebraska playas confirms that over the long-term, the movement of sediment into depressional playa wetlands due to human activities has accelerated. Cumulatively, these alterations have resulted in culturally accelerated sedimentation into a majority of the playa wetlands in Nebraska.
• Culturally accelerated sedimentation has completely eliminated some wetlands.
• The literature that is summarized in this paper clearly demonstrates that culturally accelerated sedimentation, even as little as a few inches, has negative impacts on wetland hydroperiod, vegetation, bio-geochemical cycling, invertebrates, and wildlife.
• To address these negative impacts, we provide recommendations regarding ways to evaluate sediment inputs and depths and methods to address culturally accelerated sedimentation.
Guide to Nebraska's Wetlands
The guide is a full-color 59-page special publication
by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. It defines and describes Nebraska
wetlands and discusses wetland functions, dynamics, classification, inventory
and conservation efforts. Fourteen wetland complexes are covered in depth.
A listing of wetland plants and animals is provided as well as literature
references. Funding was provided by the U.S. Enviornmental Protection
Agency, Ducks Unlimited and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Click here to
Trail Tales is a quarterly publication produced by
NEBRASKAland Magazine and sent to nearly every fourth-grade student in
the state. The Spring 2006 issue is a special wetlands edition. The edition
describes Nebraska's wetlands, their functions and associated wildlife.
Also included are several games and trading cards featuring some of Nebraska's
wetland wildlife. Funding was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Click here to
order copies.
These videos contain scenes from a variety of Nebraska
wetlands, including their associated wildlife. The featured segments
explore the values wetlands provide and the role they play in the lives
of Nebraskans.
The educational video is 27 minutes long and is targeted
to 4th-6th grade students, but is appropriate for younger and
older audiences as well.
Nebraska Educational Telecommunications produced
the video, with funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Ducks Unlimited and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. FREE
Copies
are available in DVD or VHS format. Click here to
order copies. The videos are also available below to view online.
Wetlands
of Nebraska Video Part 1
Wetlands
of Nebraska Video Part 2
For additional information please contact:
Ted LaGrange, Wetland Program Manager
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
P.O. Box 30370
Lincoln, NE 68503 Phone: (402) 471-5436 Email:Ted.LaGrange@nebraska.gov
Links to Some Wetland Partners and Grant
Opportunities
Trail Tales Magazine: Special Wetlands Edition
Wetlands
of Nebraska Video Part 1 