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Wetlands of the Prairie Pothole Region

Invertebrate Species Composition, Ecology, and Management

Ned H. Euliss, Jr., Dale A. Wrubleski, and David M. Mushet

The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of the United States and Canada is a unique area where shallow depressions created by the scouring action of Pleistocene glaciation interact with mid-continental climate variations to create and maintain a variety of wetland classes. These wetlands possess unique environmental and biotic characteristics that add to the overall regional diversity and production of aquatic invertebrates and the vertebrate wildlife that depend upon them as food. Climatic extremes in the PPR have a profound and dynamic influence on wetland hydrology, hydroperiod, chemistry, and ultimately the biota. Available knowledge of aquatic invertebrates in the PPR suggests that diversity of invertebrates within each wetland class is low. Harsh environmental conditions range from frigid winter temperatures that freeze wetlands and their sediments to hot summer temperatures and drought conditions that create steep salinity gradients and seasonally dry habitats. Consequently, the invertebrate community is composed mostly of ecological generalists that possess the necessary adaptations to tolerate environmental extremes. In this review, we describe the highly dynamic nature of prairie pothole wetlands and suggest that invertebrate studies be evaluated within a conceptual framework that considers important hydrologic, chemical, and climatic events.

This resource is based on the following source (Northern Prairie Publication 1050):

Euliss, Ned H., Jr., David M. Mushet, and Dale A. Wrubleski.  1999.  Wetlands 
     of the Prairie Pothole Region: Invertebrate Species Composition, Ecology, 
     and Management.  Pages 471-514 in D. P. Batzer, R. B. Rader and S. A. 
     Wissinger, eds.  Invertebrates in Freshwater Wetlands of North America: 
     Ecology and Management, Chapter 21.  John Wiley & Sons, New York.

This resource should be cited as:

Euliss, Ned H., Jr., David M. Mushet, and Dale A. Wrubleski.  1999.  Wetlands 
     of the Prairie Pothole Region: Invertebrate Species Composition, Ecology, 
     and Management.  Pages 471-514 in D. P. Batzer, R. B. Rader and S. A. 
     Wissinger, eds.  Invertebrates in Freshwater Wetlands of North America: 
     Ecology and Management, Chapter 21.  John Wiley & Sons, New York.
     Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.
     http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/wetlands/pothole/index.htm
     (Version 02SEP99).

Prairie Pothole Wetlands
- Geology
- Climate
- Hydrology
- Chemistry
- Vegetation
- Wetland Classes
- Land Use Influences
Past Invertebrate Research
- Invertebrate and Habitat Diversity
- Invertebrate Responses to Hydroperiod
- Invertebrate Responses to Salinity
- Invertebrate Responses to Vegetation
- Invertebrate Responses to Weather
  - Temperature
  - Wind and Rain
- Invertebrate Responses to Anthropogenic Disturbances
- Recolonization and Dispersal Mechanisms
Biotic Interactions
- Aquatic Macrophytes and Algae
- Tropic Functions of Invertebrates in Prairie Wetlands
- Ecological Functions of Invertebrates in Prairie Wetlands
Conceptual Framework for Research and Management
Literature Cited
Table 21 -- Partial Species List of Invertebrates Present in Wetlands of PPR
- Table 21 -- Gastropoda Hydrobiidae - Annelida Tubificidae
- Table 21 -- Rotifera Brachionidae - Crustacea Ostracoda
- Table 21 -- Insecta Ephemeroptera - Insecta Odonata Libellulidae
- Table 21 -- Insecta Coleoptera - Insecta Coleoptera Hydrophilidae
- Table 21 -- Insecta Hemiptera - Insecta Hemiptera Veliidae
- Table 21 -- Insecta Neuroptera - Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Dicrotendipes nervosus
- Table 21 -- Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Einfedlia pagana - Insecta Hymenoptera

Figures

Figure 21.1 -- Prairie Pothole Region
Figure 21.2 -- Common Wetland Classes in the Prairie Pothole Region
Figure 21.3 -- Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios at the Woodworth Study Area, ND

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pothole.zip (385K) -- Wetlands of the Prairie Pothole Region: Invertebrate Species Composition, Ecology, and Management

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Wetlands of the Prairie Pothole Region

Invertebrate Species Composition, Ecology, and Management

Table of Contents

Figures