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f£ General description: Agricultural activities constitute the major land use pattern 



in this Great Plains state. As one moves westward, the Dissected Loess Plains 

 are replaced by the rolling topography of the Great Plains. The Missouri River 

 forms the eastern boundary of the state. The Platte and its many tributaries flow 

 eastward through it. The flood-plain communities of the Central Missouri Valley 

 and those along the Platte have been described by Weaver (1960). Hardwood 

 flood-plain forests of elm and cottonwood occur with undergrowths of the 

 roughleaf dogwood {Cornus drummondi). The river marshes support a diversity 

 of emergents, including water plantain, cattails, bulrushes, bur-reed and ar- 

 rowheads. 



Saline wetlands, such as the Lincoln Marshes, also occur. In these localities 

 salts tend to accumulate, due to high evaporation and relatively low precipita- 

 tion. 



The Sandhills in the northern part of the state represent a distinctive physio- 

 graphic unit of wind-blown sands dotted with relatively undisturbed wetlands. 



Status of the wetlands: Two studies by the State Game and Parks Commission 

 (McMurtrey & Craig 1967, 1968) give some insight into wetland destruction. In 

 south-central Nebraska, of the 3943 basins surveyed 87% had been destroyed. 

 In the 16 counties of the Sandhills region the loss has been considerably less. Of 

 the original 10,302 wetlands 10,120 are still extant, comprising 143,150 acres. 

 A total of 27,970 acres have been destroyed in the Sandhills, most of which 

 were larger than 10 acres in size. 



Sources of data: Data have been obtained from the Nebraska Game and Parks 

 Commission and university biologists. 



Recommendations: Information on only three wetland areas is reported. The 

 Lincoln Marshes comprise an extensive saline area of considerable ecological 

 interest. Its plant communities have been described by Ungar ( 1969). Every ef- 

 fort should be made to designate it as a Natural Landmark. Unfortunately, the 

 ownership pattern is unknown and its proximity to the city of Lincoln will only 

 intensify potential encroachment unless immediately protected. 



Moses Hill Lagoon, surrounded by agricultural activities, supports both 

 marshy and swampy forest communities. The area is heavily used by migrating 

 waterfowl, notably Snow Geese. The impact of agricultural activities, especially 

 siltation, is altering natural conditions. Pending site inspection, this area may be 

 eligible for landmark status. 



The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is recognized as a famous wetland 

 complex in the Sandhills region of Nebraska. Within the Refuge most of the 

 wetlands have been restored to their near-original natural condition. Although 

 over 70,000 acres are currently under federal ownership, significant privately 

 owned tracts should be sought, since over 25,000 acres of wetlands in the Sand- 

 hills have already been destroyed. 



