OutdoorNebraska

9 GUIDE TO NEBRASKA'S WETLANDS natural cleanser of many common water pollutants. Wetlands act as a fi lter, slowing water down and allowing sediment and many pollutants to settle out. As the water slowly moves through the wetland, a series of chemical transformations take place that tie-up or alter a variety of pollutants. The result is the water leaving a wetland is of higher quality than the water entering the wetland. In fact, studies have shown that up to 80% of the nitrate pollution entering wetlands is converted to harmless nitrogen gas by the time the water exits the wetland. Wetlands increasingly are being used for water pollution control and wastewater treatment due to their water cleansing functions. Providing Habitat for Wildlife, Fish, and Unusual Plants — Wetlands are among the most productive biological systems known. They produce more plant and animal life per acre than cropland, prairies, or forests. This high level of productivity makes wetlands important habitat for an abundance of wildlife and fi sh. Wetlands provide migration, breeding, nesting, and feeding habitat for millions of waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, and other wildlife. Wetlands are home to thousands of plant and animal species, including many that are threatened or endangered. Eleven of Nebraska's 15 federal endangered and threatened species use wetland areas, as do 22 of Nebraska's 32 state-listed endangered and threatened species. Many wetlands provide important feeding and rearing habitat for fi sh. All the state's amphibian species, as well as many reptile and invertebrate species, use wetlands. Wetlands also provide important winter cover for pheasants, deer, and other resident wildlife. Nebraska has three major wetland complexes of international importance to wildlife. The Rainwater Basin area in south-central Nebraska provides critical spring staging and migration habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, and endangered species. Immediately north of this area is the Central Platte River, which provides critical migration habitat for the endangered whooping crane, spring staging habitat for 80-85% of the mid-continent population of sandhill cranes, breeding habitat for threatened The setting sun silhouettes Chimney Rock across an alkaline wetland along the North Platte River in Morrill County. ETHAN FREESE, PLATTE BASIN TIMELAPSE

• Cover