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GUIDE TO NEBRASKA'S WETLANDS
Nebraska has diverse wetlands across
the state, in every county. There are
many types of wetlands:
Over the past 250 years, wetlands have declined at
an alarming rate, mostly due to land conversion.
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Clean water? Flood protection? Wildlife habitat? Groundwater recharge?
Not without wetlands
Only half
the world's
wetlands
remain intact.
Today, only
65% of
Nebraska's
wetlands
remain intact.
Only 10% of
the Nebraska
Rainwater Basin
playa wetlands
remain intact.
*
Marshes
Playas
Seep
Areas
Forested
Swamps
Fens
Wet Meadows
Oxbows
River and Stream
Backwaters
Lakes
What we lose when we lose wetlands:
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of Nebraska drinking water
comes from groundwater, which
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from runoff and improve
water quality in streams
and the underground
aquifer, reducing the need
for costly treatment.
95%
Many wetlands slowly release
water into the ground to
recharge groundwater.
Sandhills and playa wetlands
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of the state's Ogallala Aquifer.
Nebraska is unique in that
it possesses three major
wetland complexes that are
of international importance
to wildlife.
Wetlands
hold water,
making
ćRRGLQJDQG
soil erosion
less likely.
Streams and wetlands
are major economic
drivers because of their
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recreation, and agriculture.
In the Rainwater Basin
landscape, every acre
generates $20 in revenue.
100%
of amphibians
50%
of birds and plants
38%
of reptiles
of the state's
threatened and
endangered species,
such as piping plovers
and whooping cranes,
depend on wetlands.
70%
The Platte River provides roosting habitat
for 90% of the continent's sandhill crane population.
90%
$
Nebraska species relying on wetlands
36%
of mammals
Wetlands play an important role
by providing habitat for threatened
and endangered species.
