OutdoorNebraska

40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 GUIDE TO NEBRASKA'S WETLANDS (Gersib and Steinauer 1990,Gilbert and Stutheit 1994). They further noted that the remaining saline wetlands identifi ed in their inventory have experienced recognizable degradation through drainage, diking, fi lling, farming, and overgrazing. Eastern Saline wetlands were given a Priority 1 ranking in the Nebraska Wetlands Priority Plan (Gersib 1991) because of very extensive past losses. Threats to Eastern Saline wetlands include drainage or fi lling, streambed degradation, agricultural conversion or use, residential or commercial development, transportation, and water pollution. Of these threats, commercial and residential development are considered the greatest. Commercial and residential development can result in total wetland destruction and the loss of all related benefi ts. Development also can affect the watersheds of the wetlands. One of the most serious long-term threats is the degradation (deepening) of stream channels that results in erosive lateral headcuts (gullies) that eventually drain wetlands. The stream degradation can lead to lower water tables and a reduction of saline water discharge into the wetlands. An emerging threat to these wetlands is the expansion of invasive plant species, including reed canary grass, European common reed, tall wheatgrass and hybrid cattail. Benefi ts Eastern Saline wetlands provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species, and are particularly important as migration habitat for shorebirds. The exposed saline mudfl ats provide abundant invertebrate foods. More than 250 species of birds have been reported using the saline wetlands (Farrar and Gersib 1991). Twenty- two species of shorebirds were documented using the saline wetlands during the 1997 spring migration (Poague et al. 1997) and the authors estimated more than 20,000 shorebirds may use these highly vulnerable wetlands during spring migration. The state and federally threatened piping plover occasionally stops over at Eastern Saline wetlands during migration. The Salt Creek tiger beetle, a very rare insect, is found only on the open salt fl at areas of Eastern Saline wetlands. The Salt Creek tiger beetle is a state and federally listed endangered species, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated 1,110 acres as critical habitat for this species. Eastern Saline wetlands are home to many saline plants that are found nowhere else in Nebraska. Three plant species found growing in Eastern Saline wetlands were considered rare in Nebraska (Clausen et al. 1989), including saltmarsh aster, saltwort, and Texas dropseed. Saltwort is a state listed endangered species. The Eastern Saline Wetlands are within the Saline Wetlands Biologically Unique Landscape (Schneider et al. 2011). Silty clay soils reduce downward water movement resulting in low to moderate groundwater recharge functions. The location of wetlands within the Salt and Rock Creek fl oodplains provides important fl ood- control benefi ts. Because of their location in and around the city of Lincoln, as well as their proximity to Omaha, Eastern Saline wetlands are ideally located to provide recreational opportunities for a large portion of the state's population. Bird watching, nature study, hiking, and waterfowl and pheasant hunting are some of the more common outdoor recreational activities. Few wetland areas in Nebraska provide the educational opportunities afforded by the proximity of these unique wetlands to so many people. Saltwort is a plant listed as endangered by Nebraska, and the only place in the state it is found is in the saline wetlands. ETHAN FREESE, PLATTE BASIN TIMELAPSE The Salt Creek tiger beetle is one of the rarest endangered species in the U.S. The only place in the world that this insect exists is in the saline wetlands near Lincoln. BROOKE TALBOTT

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