North Dakota Game & Fish talk wetlands during American Wetlands Month

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – May is American Wetlands Month and the Prairie Pothole Region has the highest wetland densities in the world.

“These wetlands provide many uses for wildlife, especially ducks providing breeding pair habitat, brood habitat, migration habitat. They’re very important for other wildlife species too, with the cover surrounding wetlands, for pheasants, deer and then also other migrating shorebirds and water birds,” said Mike Szymanski, waterfowl biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

While the state has lost nearly 60% of its wetlands over time, North Dakota remains the duck factory of North America.

“We are centered in the Prairie Pothole Region, and in the United States portion of the Prairie Pothole Region, North Dakota has about half of the breeding ducks,” said Szymanski.

Wetlands also benefit people in a variety of ways.

“Our hunters enjoy hunting waterfowl in the wetlands. Pheasant hunters get out, and especially, seasonal wetlands after they dry up a little bit and have good cattail cover. Bird watchers have exceptional opportunities to go out and check out wildlife and photograph and observe wildlife and waterfowl and wetlands,” said Szymanski.

There are many different types and sizes of wetlands in North Dakota.

“They all have different permanence on the landscape and different purposes for wildlife and purposes for ecological goods and services that wetlands provide for water quality, water storage and replenishment of aquifers,” said Szymanski.

North Dakota has wet and dry years, which is important for wetlands to recycle from time to time.

“It’s very important that wetlands go through these processes on a natural basis. However, they do periodically need to dry up to maintain fertility and production of food and vegetation for wildlife,” said Szymanski.

The next time you take a drive, and you see wetlands full of ducks, shorebirds and other wildlife, remember wetlands are also important for people and the entire ecosystem.

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