Citation:

Mitchell, M., T. Newcomer-Johnson, J. Christensen, W. Crumpton, S. Richmond, B. Dyson, Timothy J. Canfield, M. Helmers, D. Lemke, M. Lechtenberg, D. Green, AND Kenneth J. Forshay. Potential of water quality wetlands to mitigate habitat losses from agricultural drainage modernization. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. Elsevier BV, AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, 838, Part 4:156358, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156358

Impact/Purpose:

Iowa has lost at least 90% of its historic wetland habitat and is working to address nutrient losses from agricultural systems in the state that contribute to harmful algal blooms. A group of Iowa stakeholders representing agricultural producers, land managers, and researchers identified the importance and relevance of a small watershed analysis of a collection of environmental benefits associated with wetlands installed to intercept and treat water leaving the agricultural watershed, in combination with anticipated improvements in the agricultural drainage system. In this manuscript we focus on the habitat implications of improving drainage and installing water quality wetlands, and present results from InVEST habitat models for amphibians, grassland birds, and wild bee pollinators. InVEST model results suggest that water quality wetlands are likely to provide suitable habitat for amphibians, grassland birds, and wild bee pollinators while also likely offsetting any habitat losses due to agricultural drainage improvements. Land managers, owners, and policy makers interested in addressing habitat loss, nutrient export, and crop losses due to flooding may be interested in this manuscript.

Description:

Given widespread biodiversity declines, a growing global human population, and demands to improve water quality, there is an immediate need to explore land management solutions that support multiple ecosystem services. Agricultural water quality wetlands designed to provide both water quality benefits and wetland and grassland habitat are an emerging restoration solution that may reverse habitat declines in intensive agricultural areas. Installation of water quality wetlands in the Upper Midwest, USA, when considered alongside the repair and modification of aging agricultural tile drainage infrastructure, is a likely scenario that may mitigate nutrient pollution exported from agricultural systems and improve crop yields. The capacity of water quality wetlands to provide habitat within the wetland pool and the surrounding grassland is not well-studied, particularly with respect to potential habitat changes resulting from drainage infrastructure upgrades.

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