| Popis: |
This study assessed the effects of sediment removal on Prairie Pothole Region wetland plant communities in North Dakota in order to determine if this management tool improves vegetation structure that benefits wildlife. Three categories of seasonal wetlands were evaluated: reference condition, converted cropland, and excavated. Vegetation surveys were conducted in the wet meadow and shallow marsh zones of 39 seasonal wetlands located in Benson, Eddy, Towner, and Wells Counties, North Dakota. Visual obstruction readings were taken at various heights in order to assess habitat quality. There were no geographic differences in the reference wetland plant communities. However, there were significant treatment differences between the plant communities of the wet meadow and shallow marsh zones. In general, excavated wetlands showed vegetation trends similar to reference wetlands, whereas the converted cropland wetlands tended to be more cattail-choked. Visual obstruction scores and mean percent cover of... |
