Wetland Diversity
Nebraska is FULL of diverse wetlands. Check them out!
Sandhills Wetlands
Located in north-central Nebraska.
Most of their water comes from the Ogallala Aquifer.
An aquifer is a large body of permeable rock, gravel
and sand that contains or transmits groundwater.
Found between the rolling grass-covered sand dunes
and along nearby creeks and springs.
Historically used by the Ponca, Pawnee and Omaha tribes,
many humans, much like today's ranchers, continue to rely
on these wetlands for their livestock and drinking water.
Very important habitat for animal species like river otters,
salamanders, Blanding's turtles and migrating birds like
the endangered whooping crane.
Western Alkaline Wetlands
⥏ Located along the North Platte River and in the
western Sandhills.
⥏ Has a pH above 7.0, making it an alkali solution
(not acidic).
⥏ Groundwater is a main source of water for these
wetlands. Because western Nebraska gets less rainfall,
the wetlands are always evaporating, leaving behind
high levels of sodium and calcium carbonate salts in
the soil, resulting in wetlands that are yellow to green
to brown in color, with dry areas being white.
⥏ These wetlands are perfect for migratory shorebirds!
Eastern Saline Wetlands
"Did you know? Many different tribes and their citizens harvested
salt from these wetlands 200 years ago? The salt was used
to make their food last longer and add to the flavor."
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Located near the capital city of Lincoln, which was
founded due to the potential for salt mining.
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"Saline" means salty. Water that passes through an
underground rock formation holds salts left behind
by an ancient sea many years ago and makes its way
into the wetland.
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This unique wetland type supports the highly endangered
Salt Creek tiger beetle and endangered plants like
saltwort, along with many other animals and plants.
Ethan
Freese
Ethan
Freese
Ethan
Freese
6 — WETLANDOLOGY: A Kid's Book About Wetlands
