Mud Hole or Wetland?

by Tom Flowers, District Conservationist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Meade, Kansas

Is that wet spot in your wheat field a mud hole or a precious wetland?  You would think that this would be an easy question to answer, but it is more difficult than you might think.

Wheat field ponds or wet spots in Meade County and much of southwestern Kansas are known more properly as "Playa Lakes."  These small depressional areas on the high plains of our area have a very unique and interesting ecology.

Playa Lakes often only hold water for a short period of time--sometimes, only a few days or weeks.  Sometimes, they remain dry for years on end.  So, just how valuable can these mud holes be?

When a playa lake fills with water following a spring thunderstorm, the wonders of nature are kicked into high gear.  Eggs of Fairy Shrimp now hatch.  Millions of seeds of very specialized wetland plants germinate.  Corymbs of the marsh loving "Arrowroot" spring to life after years of dormancy, and even cultivation.  Toads and frogs emerge from deep burrows, sing, mate and lay eggs.  Birds appear as if from nowhere.  Yes, this area is now more than a mud hole.

Fairy Shrimp and other small, freshwater invertebrates are very interesting components of these prairie wetland areas.  The eggs of these creatures can lay dormant for 15 or more years in the cracks of the soil.  Once water hits the eggs, they hatch, rapidly grow and complete their entire lifecycle in as little as 14 to 21 days.  Interestingly, these animals provide food for the various birds that use these areas.  These birds lay their eggs which just happen to hatch at the same time that millions of shrimp are available for food for the young birds.

Playas are internationally recognized as a bird watchers paradise.  Studies in Meade County have documented over 180 species of birds using playa lakes at one time of the year or another.  Nearly all of the birds listed as species of concern in our area use playa lakes at some point in their life.  Millions of migratory birds stop on playa lakes during their spring and fall migrations.  Summer resident birds make these lakes their home and raise the next generation of their species.

Other animals use playas as well:  coyotes, deer, rabbits, antelope, and buffalo.

Native Americans also used playas for water and for food.

Both the federal and state governments have programs to maintain or restore the playa lakes of Kansas, which you can find out about in your local NRCS field office.

Mud hole or wetland?  My vote goes for wetland!

Photos

Click on pictures to download or view a larger image.

Mud Plaintain is a beautiful wildflower which bursts into bloom when playas fill with rainwater.
Many playa lakes are considered as a nuisance to farmers -- drowning out crops and making farming difficult.  In reality, they are extremely valuable for wildlife and have been shown to help with aquifer recharge.
Fairy shrimp are one of many animals which have adapted to life in playa lakes.  Eggs of fairy shrimp can lay dormant in dry soil for 15 or more years.  Fairy shrimp are a vital food source for many birds

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