Date of Award

2021

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Awarded

Master of Science (MS)

Program

Natural Resources Management

Department

Natural Resource Sciences

College

Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources

Faculty Advisor

DeKeyser, Edward

Description

Conditions of wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region have been severely degraded due to anthropogenic disturbances, such as cultivation and climate change. To maintain or restore the diversity and integrity of these ecosystems we must first understand what condition they are in and what current factors are driving wetland conditions on a region-wide scale. This study aimed to assess wetland conditions and determine what the major plant community drivers were on FWS fee-title lands. Assessments showed wetlands in native grassland are in better condition than those in reseeded grasslands and seasonal wetlands are in better condition than temporary wetlands. It was clear plant communities are being largely driven by the cover of invasive species within each given wetland zone. Differences in wetland conditions and invasive versus native species cover are likely the result of past and present disturbance on FWS fee-title lands.

Rights

NDSU policy 190.6.2

Rights Link

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Handle Identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/32694

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