Spring Wetlands
Spring 2017
By Dr. Patrick Rusz, Director of Wildlife Programs
Every spring in Michigan, there suddenly seems to be water everywhere. A lot of puddles form that aren’t of much significance to wildlife, but other places that get “re-charged” are seasonal wetlands that hold water long enough to effect the vegetation. Wetlands don’t have to stay flooded year-round to provide important habitat for wildlife! Many seasonal wetlands that have water only part of the growing season host ducks, amphibians, reptiles, and even countless birds and mammals that we often associate with dry ground. These spring wetlands are now on display across our state and range in size from massive floodplains to puddle-sized, wooded pools.
By Dr. Patrick Rusz, Director of Wildlife Programs
Every spring in Michigan, there suddenly seems to be water everywhere. A lot of puddles form that aren’t of much significance to wildlife, but other places that get “re-charged” are seasonal wetlands that hold water long enough to effect the vegetation. Wetlands don’t have to stay flooded year-round to provide important habitat for wildlife! Many seasonal wetlands that have water only part of the growing season host ducks, amphibians, reptiles, and even countless birds and mammals that we often associate with dry ground. These spring wetlands are now on display across our state and range in size from massive floodplains to puddle-sized, wooded pools.
Some of the most productive wetlands for waterfowl brood-rearing dry up in summer after the young birds have fledged. These wet meadows and shallow marshes harbor certain snails, tiny micro-crustaceans called water fleas, and aquatic insects such as midges, water boatmen, and mosquito larvae. These tiny animals are good protein sources and their numbers reach incredible peaks at just the right times to feed breeding hen ducks, and later, their rapidlydeveloping ducklings. In deeper wetlands that retain water later in the year or even year-round, these food sources may not be as abundant because organic materials supplying nutrients needed in the food chain break down at a much sloer rate, and predators such as fish limit their numbers. Ducks have evolved very efficient feeding strategies for finding places where the invertebrates best meet their needs for protein and micro-nutrients.
Good food helps ensure hens in top condition, clutches that have more eggs, and high survival rates for young ducks. Among the best examples of these types of seasonal wetlands are prairie potholes of south-central Canada, a region sometimes referred to as North America’s duck factory. But many seasonal wetlands in Michigan produce ducks at rates per acre that rival the potholes of Canada.
Good food helps ensure hens in top condition, clutches that have more eggs, and high survival rates for young ducks. Among the best examples of these types of seasonal wetlands are prairie potholes of south-central Canada, a region sometimes referred to as North America’s duck factory. But many seasonal wetlands in Michigan produce ducks at rates per acre that rival the potholes of Canada.