The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a report today on the ecology and extent of geographically isolated wetlands of the United States. The report is the first in a planned series of ecological reports, with maps, about important types of wetlands.
"People increasingly realize how important geographically isolated wetlands in their areas are to wildlife conservation and a healthy environment," said Steve Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "The Prairie Pothole region, known as America’s duck factory, represents only one of many different landscapes nationwide that provide invaluable wildlife habitat in their isolated wetlands. The report we are issuing today provides a solid introduction to the basic ecology and geography of these irreplaceable resources."
"In desert areas, isolated wetlands provide vital fresh water oases for wildlife and function as stepping stones for migrating birds. Their isolation has promoted the evolution of unique plant and animal life that is specially adapted to these habitats," Williams explained. "Isolated wetlands are also vital for human well being. Many of them contribute important subsurface water flows to other wetlands and streams. In areas like the Prairie Pothole region, these wetlands also store rainwater, which reduces flooding and recharges groundwater supplies, in addition to providing habitat for wildlife."
Isolated wetlands, which the report defines are "wetlands with no apparent surface water connection to perennial rivers and streams, estuaries, or the ocean," have no surface water outlet. Because they are completely surrounded by uplands, they are vulnerable to changes in surrounding land use practices.
The report describes 19 types of isolated wetlands, such as the Nebraska Sandhills wetlands, Delmarva potholes, and Carolina Bay wetlands, and provides ecological profiles of their fish and wildlife conservation values. A series of computer-generated maps in the report depict the potential extent of geographically isolated wetlands in each of 72 selected study areas, designed to provide a cross-section of national conditions. The report indicates that geographically isolated wetlands appeared to be most extensive and abundant in subhumid to arid regions of the country where precipitation averages less than 24 inches a year, and in Florida’s karst topography. More than half of the identified wetland acreage in eight of the 72 study areas - located in Nevada, Washington, Texas, Indiana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nebraska - was designated as isolated.
The report does not address the regulation of isolated wetlands and the maps do not depict isolated wetlands for jurisdictional purposes.
The report and maps are available on the Internet at http://wetlands.fws.gov
