Wetlands & Habitat
Wetlands are an incredibly diverse, important and misunderstood ecosystem. They play not only a significant role for migrating waterfowl, but for many other forms of life including humans.Wetlands have often been viewed as "wastelands." At one time landowners were encouraged to drain "water-logged" lands but today, thanks to the research of scientists like those at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, the crucial role of wetlands is beginning to be understood and valued.
Wetlands role in nature People today are becoming more aware of the value of wetlands. Beyond the obvious role of providing habitat for waterfowl and shore birds, the deeper role of wetlands is also becoming more and more appearant and understood. During high water and runoff seasons, wetlands act as a natural flood control. Wetlands also act as a natural filtration system. They remove sediments and even toxic chemicals from our water supplies. Some areas of the United States are even using wetlands as a natural sewage treament system. Open Water Large expanses of open water are also an important part of the Refuge wetland offerings. Mud Flats Mud flats and other shallow and even dry areas are an important Refuge habitat and transition zone for many shore birds and other wildlife. Alkaline Bulrushes Alkaline Bulrushes are a very important habitat plant for the Refuge ecosystem. Bulrushes provide food,cover, nesting, and shelter for ducks and other waterfowl Alkaline grasses Alkaline grasses are an important soucre of both food and habitat for many Refuge animals. Bullthistle Bullthistle is an important food source for many animals and also provides shelter for some small birds. Cattail Cattail is propably the most recognizable of the wetland plants. It is the plant that most people expect to see when they visit a wetland. Cattails provide food, nesting, shelter and cover for many wetland residents. You will commonly find Red-winged Blackbirds perching precariously to the tufted end of a cattail. Duckweed Duckweed, as its name implies, is a significant food source for ducks as well as other waterfowl. Duckweed floats on the surface of the water and is not rooted to the bottom. Salt Grass Salt Grass is one more of the varied but significant food supplies offered on the Refuge. Fieldmint Fieldmint is one of the more pleasanltly aromatic plants of the wetland. It is not only a popular food source for refuge wildlife, but also a tempting nibble for the Refuge's human visitors as well. Floating Lady's Thumb The Floating Lady's Thumb is one of the more beautiful wetland plants. It is also a very important food source for wetalnd birds. Foxtail Barley Foxtail Barley is a very common sight at the Refuge. It is a common food source and a spcetacular sight when it is fully headed and swaying on a gentle breeze. Hardstem Bulrushes Hardstem Bulrushes are another variety of the important and widespread wetland bulrushes. Muskrat Lodge Wetland plants such as cattails and bulrushes provide a variety of uses including beaver-like lodge for wetland muskrats. Marsh Wren Nest Cattails also provide nesting for Marsh Wrens. The Marsh Wren will actuallly weave the cattails into the nesting material. Thye also make a series of "false" nests in addition to their "real" nest. This is appearantly a decoy method used to discourage predators from raiding their eggs. Milkweed Milkweed is also one of the Refuge's numerous and varied plants species. Most students are familiar with Milkweed's role as a food source for Monarch caterpillars, but it provides food and shelter for many other of the Refuge's residents as well. Olney's Bulrush Olney's Bulrush is one more variety of the bulrush family. A mainstay of the wetland ecosystem. Prairie Cordgrass Prairie Cordgrass is another grass variety which plays a significant food and shelter role in the Refuge's ecosystem Puncture Weed Puncture Weed is probably a familiar plant but may not be too popular, especially among bike riders. Despite its popularity, though, it still fills an important role in the Refuge's ecosystem. Stinging Nettle Stinging Nettle may also not be a very popular plant, especially with the innocent intruder into a patchy of this common plant, but it also plays a significant food role in the Refuge ecosystem. Wild Flowers Various varieties of wild flowers are in bloom throughout the spring and into the summer months at the Refuge. They provide not only food for wildlife but also offer the Refuge visitors a visual feast to contrast to the beauty of the birds and wetlands. Wirelettuce Wirelettuce is one more of the beautiful,abundant and diverse plant varieties which compose the Refuge's plant tapestry.