Prairie Potholes Wetlands of the Mid-West Allison Samuel

Prairie potholes According to the EPA, they are fresh water marshes formed in the depressions of the landscape by receding glaciers

Prairie Potholes

Location Prairie potholes are found in a small part of the upper Midwest With a larger portion located in the middle region of Canada

Characteristics Movement of water dependent on the water table forming rich soils which are deposited as water flows though the pothole

Characteristics continued Contribute to warm summers that are usually cool Form many shallow lakes and ponds Habitat for 50% of the nation’s migratory birds They absorb flood waters

Biota The potholes are important breeding grounds for waterfowl The potholes are habitat for mammals such as:  beavers  coyote  red fox  raccoon  American badger  striped skunk  mink  ermine  long-tailed weasel

Biota beavers Mallard duck wood duck

Biota ermine American badger long-tailed weasel

Status Prairie potholes have been negatively affected by agriculture. They have been altered or destroyed altogether. About 50% of this type of wetland habitat has been destroyed Still it is considered one of the most important wetlands in the world

Threats Agriculture - destruction for farmland Global Change - causing the potholes to dry up Urbanization - the increase of human population

Special Thanks to…