Document Type
Article
Publication Title
BioScience
Publication Date
2-2010
Volume
60
Disciplines
Life Sciences
Abstract
The wetland complex is the functional ecological unit of the prairie pothole region (PPR) of central North America. Diverse complexes of wetlands contribute high spatial and temporal environmental heterogeneity, productivity, and biodiversity to these glaciated prairie landscapes. Climate-warming simulations using the new model WETLANDSCAPE (WLS) project major reductions in water volume, shortening of hydroperiods, and less-dynamic vegetation for prairie wetland complexes. The WLS model portrays the future PPR as a much less resilient ecosystem: The western PPR will be too dry and the eastern PPR will have too few functional wetlands and nesting habitat to support historic levels of waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species. Maintaining ecosystem goods and services at current levels in a warmer climate will be a major challenge for the conservation community.
DOI
10.1525/bio.2010.60.2.7
Rights
© 2010, American Institute of Biological Sciences. See the original publication here.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Carter W.; Werner, Brett; Guntenspergen, Glenn R.; Voldseth, Richard A.; Millett, Bruce; Naugle, David E.; Tulbure, Mirela; Carroll, Rosemary W. H.; Tracy, John; and Olawsky, Craig, "Prairie Wetland Complexes as Landscape Functional Units in a Changing Climate" (2010). Wildlife Biology Faculty Publications. 47.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/wildbio_pubs/47