Ephemeral vs. Permanent Wetlands
Amanda Smith and Shelby Kilibarda
University of Wisconsin - Stout
What type of pond is on your land and why does it matter?
vs.
Species:
Species:
Eubranchipus – Fairy shrimp
Lithobates sylvaticus – Wood frog
Calamagrostis canadensis – Bluejoint grass
Polygonum spp. – Smartweed
Glyceria spp. – manna grass
Chemistry:
• Hold water for a period of time, but
typically dry out
• pH varies
• Low peat accumulation
• Medium to high tree cover
• Precipitation and Surface water fed
Functions:
•
•
•
•
Flood prevention
Groundwater recharge/discharge
Unique contribution to biodiversity
Habitat to species who cannot survive
in the presence of fish
Lithobates catesbeianus – American Bull frog
Sternotherus odoratus – Common Musk Turtle
Nymphaea spp. – Water lily
Cyperaceae spp. – Bulrush
Typha spp. – cattails
Figure 1. Map of Wisconsin showing best opportunity for
ephemeral ponds to develop. Value 3 is most likely and
Value 0 is lest likely.
Significance of ephemeral
ponds:
Ephemeral ponds are often
misunderstood as useless pieces of
land, but in reality they are important
ecological communities.
Chemistry:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hold water all year round
Stable water levels
Neutral pH
Peat accumulation
Anaerobic conditions
Groundwater & Surface water fed
Functions:
• Flood prevention
• Groundwater recharge/discharge
• Amphibian and reptile breeding
ground and habitat
• Water fowl habitat
Resources:
http://dnr.gov
http://forestandrange.org/new_wetlands/pdfs/Per
manent_Wetlands.pdf