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Classification of Natural Ponds and Lakes
in the Glaciated Prairie Region

By

Robert E. Stewart and Harold A. Kantrud
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center - Division of Wildlife Research
United States Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife

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Contents

• Introduction
• Vegetation Zones in Prairie Ponds and Lakes
• Phases of Vegetational Zones
• Plant Species Composition and Differences in Salinity of Surface Water
• Descriptions of the Vegetational Zones
• Major Classes of Natural Ponds and Lakes
• Subclasses of Natural Ponds and Lakes
• Cover Types in Natural Ponds and Lakes
• Application of the Classification System
• Synoptic Outline of the Classification System
• Comparison of Two Classification Systems
• References
• Appendix A. -- Characteristic plant species in prairie ponds and lakes.
• Appendix B. -- Glossary of names and plants.

• Text Figures
  
  • Figure 1. -- A typical sequence of wetland phases as related to different water conditions.
  • Figure 2. -- Spatial relation of vegetational zones in major classes of natural ponds and lakes.
  • Figure 3. -- Basic cover types of natural ponds and lakes showing common variations in aspect.

• Plates
  
  • Plate 1. -- Ephemeral pond, cover type 1 (I-1), early spring aspect
  • Plate 2. -- Temporary pond, fresh, cover type 1 (II-A-1)
  • Plate 3. -- Temporary pond, fresh, cover type 2 (II-A-2)
  • Plate 4. -- Temporary pond, slightly brackish, cover type 1 (II-B-1)
  • Plate 5. -- Temporary pond, slightly brackish, cover type 4 (II-B-4)
  • Plate 6. -- Seasonal pond, fresh, cover type 1 (III-A-1)
  • Plate 7. -- Seasonal pond, slightyly brackish, cover type 2 (III-B-2)
  • Plate 8. -- Seasonal pond, slightly brackish, cover type 3 (III-B-3)
  • Plate 9. -- Seasonal pond, slightly brackish, cover type 4 (III-B-4)
  • Plate 10. -- Slightly brackish pond (intermediate between III-B-2 and IV-B-2)
  • Plate 11. -- Slightly brackish pond (intermediate between III-B-2 and IV-B-2)
  • Plate 12. -- Slightly brackish pond, cover type 1 (III-B-1)
  • Plate 13. -- Semipermanent pond, fresh, cover type 3 (IV-A-3)
  • Plate 14 -- Portion of a large semipermanent pond, slightly brackish, cover type 3 (IV-B-3)
  • Plate 15. -- Portion of a large semipermanent pond, slightly brackish, cover type 1 (IV-B-1)
  • Plate 16. -- Semipermanent pond, slightly brackish, cover type 2 (IV-B-2)
  • Plate 17. -- Semipermanent pond, slightly brackish, cover type 1 (IV-B-1)
  • Plate 18. -- Semipermanent pond, slightly brackish, cover type 2 (IV-B-2)
  • Plate 19. -- Central portion of a large semipermanent pond, moderately brackish, cover type 2 (IV-C-2)
  • Plate 20. -- Changes in vegetative deep-marsh cover in a semipermanent pond, moderately brackish, cover type 3 (IV-C-3)
  • Plate 21. -- Semipermanent pond, brackish, cover type 2 (IV-D-2)
  • Plate 22. -- Aspect of central portion of a semipermanent pond, brackish, cover type 3 (IV-D-3)
  • Plate 23. -- Semipermanent pond, subsaline, cover type 2 (IV-E-2)
  • Plate 24. -- Portion of a permanent lake, slightly brackish, cover type 4 (V-B-4)
  • Plate 25. -- Portion of a permanent lake, slightly brackish cover type 4 (V-B-4)
  • Plate 26. -- Shoreline of a permanent lake, moderately brackish, cover type 4 (V-C-4)
  • Plate 27. -- Alkali lake (VI-4)
  • Plate 28. -- Alkali lake (VI-4)
  • Plate 29. -- Central portion of a large fen or alkaline bog (VII-1)
  • Plate 30. -- Tillage ponds (T-4) in cultivated cropland
  • Plate 31. -- Tillage pond (T-2) in wheat stubble

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