Low prairie plant communities of wetlands as a function of disturbance: Physical parameters

DeKeyser, Edward S.; Biondini, Mario E.; Kirby, Donald R.; Hargiss, Christina L. M.

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2008.05.003

Cited by 14 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Our rapid wetland assessment method was modified from published Prairie Pothole Region classification systems, , rapid assessment criteria, − and vegetation evaluation techniques − that included both quantitative and qualitative indicators. Field-validated criteria were based on 59 environmental predictor variables grouped into five categories (see SI Table S1 for full list of variables measured).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological and Landscape Drivers of Neonicotinoid Insecticide Detections and Concentrations in Canada’s Prairie Wetlands

Main

Michel

Headley

et al. 2015

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Neonicotinoids are commonly used seed treatments on Canada's major prairie crops. Transported via surface and subsurface runoff into wetlands, their ultimate aquatic fate remains largely unknown. Biotic and abiotic wetland characteristics likely affect neonicotinoid presence and environmental persistence, but concentrations vary widely between wetlands that appear ecologically (e.g., plant composition) and physically (e.g., depth) similar for reasons that remain unclear. We conducted intensive surveys of 238 wetlands, and documented 59 wetland (e.g., dominant plant species) and landscape (e.g., surrounding crop) characteristics as part of a novel rapid wetland assessment system. We used boosted regression tree (BRT) analysis to predict both probability of neonicotinoid analytical detection and concentration. BRT models effectively predicted the deviance in neonicotinoid detection (62.4%) and concentration (74.7%) from 21 and 23 variables, respectively. Detection was best explained by shallow marsh plant species identity (34.8%) and surrounding crop (13.9%). Neonicotinoid concentration was best explained by shallow marsh plant species identity (14.9%) and wetland depth (14.2%). Our research revealed that plant composition is a key indicator and/or driver of neonicotinoid presence and concentration in Prairie wetlands. We recommend wetland buffers consisting of diverse native vegetation be retained or restored to minimize neonicotinoid transport and retention in wetlands, thereby limiting their potential effects on wetland-dependent organisms.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological and Landscape Drivers of Neonicotinoid Insecticide Detections and Concentrations in Canada’s Prairie Wetlands

Main

Michel

Headley

et al. 2015

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…Surveys were conducted once each year during the growing season peak to account for temporal variation in plant species development (DeKeyser et al 2009). All surveys were performed by a trained contractor who has been performing prairie plant surveys for the past 17 years and who has prepared comprehensive listings of plant species in all CLSA wetlands annually for the past 13 years.…”

Section: Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multi-Year Comparison of IPCI Scores for Prairie Pothole Wetlands: Implications of Temporal and Spatial Variation

Euliss

Mushet

2011

Wetlands

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In the prairie pothole region of North America, development of Indices of Biotic Integrity (IBIs) to detect anthropogenic impacts on wetlands has been hampered by naturally dynamic inter-annual climate fluctuations. Of multiple efforts to develop IBIs for prairie pothole wetlands, only one, the Index of Plant Community Integrity (IPCI), has reported success. We evaluated the IPCI and its ability to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic variation using plant community data collected from 16 wetlands over a 4-year-period. We found that under constant anthropogenic influence, IPCI metric scores and condition ratings varied annually in response to environmental variation driven primarily by natural climate variation. Artificially forcing wetlands that occur along continuous hydrologic gradients into a limited number of discrete classes (e.g., temporary, seasonal, and semipermanent) further confounded the utility of IPCI metrics. Because IPCI scores vary significantly due to natural climate dynamics as well as human impacts, methodology must be developed that adequately partitions natural and anthropogenically induced variation along continuous hydrologic gradients. Until such methodology is developed, the use of the IPCI to evaluate prairie pothole wetlands creates potential for misdirected corrective or regulatory actions, impairment of natural wetland functional processes, and erosion of public confidence in the wetland sciences.

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“…PPR wetlands and their biotic communities are also well-adapted to natural disturbances other than drought-deluge cycles (Winter and Rosenberry 1998), including fire (Higgens 1984) and grazing by bison and other native ungulates (McNaughton 1986). However, while natural disturbances may have positive impacts on community diversity (DeKeyser et al 2008), contemporary human disturbances have been negative. Across the PPR, agricultural drainage, excavation, groundwater extraction, and conversion have directly altered individual wetlands and wetland complexes, creating more isolated, and often more permanent wetlands (Krapu et al, 2003, Blann et al 2009.…”

Section: Hydrology-ecology Relationships: Natural Vs Human Disturbancementioning

confidence: 99%

Literature review : hydrology-ecology relationships in Montana Prairie wetlands and intermittent/ephemeral streams /

Horton¹,

Owen²,

Vance³

2013

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Library provided helpful guidance on constructing Boolean search strings. Randy Apfelbeck of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality offered assistance with uncovering unpublished studies. Jamul Hahn of MTNHP designed the map template, and made several of the maps. All photos used in this report come from MTNHP staff. Thanks, too, to the numerous hydrologists, biologists, land managers and others who responded to our requests for information.Despite the assistance of these and other people, errors may remain; if so, these are entirely the responsibility of the authors.

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Low prairie plant communities of wetlands as a function of disturbance: Physical parameters

Cited by 14 publications

References 35 publications

Ecological and Landscape Drivers of Neonicotinoid Insecticide Detections and Concentrations in Canada’s Prairie Wetlands

Ecological and Landscape Drivers of Neonicotinoid Insecticide Detections and Concentrations in Canada’s Prairie Wetlands

A Multi-Year Comparison of IPCI Scores for Prairie Pothole Wetlands: Implications of Temporal and Spatial Variation

Literature review : hydrology-ecology relationships in Montana Prairie wetlands and intermittent/ephemeral streams /

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