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Living in Harmony with Wetlands
Wet Meadows and Agriculture
Wet meadows usually have greener or darker vegetation than the surrounding
area. Like other wetlands, they help control flooding and pollution, replenish
the groundwater, and support unique communities of plants and animals.
Agriculture can be an integral part of this type of wetland.
Haying has been a seasonal use of some wet meadows for centuries. The wetland
is not disturbed during the early part of the growing season, when the land is
too wet to work and many wetland species are raising their young. By late
summer, the meadow has become drier, the wetland grasses have matured, most
young birds are out of the nest, and it is time to harvest the hay.
Grazing is another use compatible with these wetlands' natural cycles. Deer
and elk have always grazed wet meadows, and carefully managed livestock grazing
can be just as beneficial to a healthy wetland. Grazing of the wetland
vegetation for short periods opens up feeding areas for shorebirds and other
marsh species. Then the area is left ungrazed until it has fully recovered, to
allow for fall regrowth. The tall, undisturbed wet meadow vegetation provides
winter cover for many species, as well as residual cover for early nesting
birds.
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