Wetlands, Marshes, Tracks in the Mud

Wetlands support a diversity of plants and animals. These natural systems are considered some of the most diverse, dynamic and complex habitats on the planet.

Over 60% of the nation's wetlands have been degraded and lost as a result of agricultural (habitat converted to farmland) and urban developments. Although the landscape includes many lakes, man-made lakes have decreased wetlands because the increased depth cannot support semi-aquatic submergent vegetation; necessary as shelter and food for wildlife. The lakes do not provide the same habitat opportunities for wildlife as wetlands do.

Moist soil management is a technique that targets wetlands and their unique cycles of flooding and draining to support wildlife.

Wetlands are important to wildlife - plants and animals. Wetlands also act as a filter to increase water quality for humans. They are in low lying areas, generally with a high water table; as the water seeps into the ground, the soil and rocks filter out impurities. Wetlands replenish the aquifers below them with clean water. The decrease in wetlands has contributed to the loss of water volume in underground aquifers.

Moist-soil management on the marshes allows plants to grow and seed at optimum levels for waterfowl use. This kind of management requires calculated flooding and draining of the wetlands throughout the year.

This imitates the natural rain cycle in a wetland to dry out while important seeds establish and then to fill for waterfowl habitat use.Common summer inhabitants of the wetlands include Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, Tri-colored Herons, Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, White-faced Ibis and others.

Wetlands are not always wet - by definition, wetlands are dry for portions of of the year. Since the refuge already manages the water supply, wetlands are drained and flooded systematically. Fields, like the one below, are drained in the spring/early summer. Natural plant food grow or are farmed into the unit, which will be flooded again in the fall.

During the winter, migrating ducks such as Mallards, Teal, Shovelers and others use the wetland areas for the abundant food, cover and protection from predators.

Migrating waterfowl need wetlands, in addition to crop lands, to fulfill their dietary requirements. The invertebrates in the wetland are crutial to providing essential nutrients for breeding.

As more wetlands are recovered across the nation, wildlife will be more abundant and problems such as flooding should be minimized. Recovering our wetlands has only recently been recognized as a necessity. The long-term benefits to these natural ecosystems will be for a healthier planet and increased wildlife habitat.

Tracks in the Mud
The private lives of wildlife are exposed in the tracks they leave. Identifying tracks is a fun hobby that explains “who” has been there as well as giving some clues as to “what” they were doing.

If you look close enough, you can find mammal and bird tracks, frog impressions and even beetle tracks in the marsh mud.