THE GROUNDWATER RECHARGE FUNCTION OF SMALL WETLANDS IN THE SEMI-ARID NORTHERN PRAIRIES
Small wetlands in the semi-arid northern prairie region are focal points for groundwater recharge. Hence the groundwater recharge function of the wetlands is an important consideration in development of wetland conservation policies. Most of the groundwater recharge from the wetlands flows to the mo...
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Published in | Great Plains research Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 39 - 56 |
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Main Authors | , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Lincoln
Center for Great Plains Studies
1998
Center for Great Plains Studies, University of Nebraska Lincoln |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Small wetlands in the semi-arid northern prairie region are focal points for groundwater recharge. Hence the groundwater recharge function of the wetlands is an important consideration in development of wetland conservation policies. Most of the groundwater recharge from the wetlands flows to the moist margins of the wetlands and serves to maintain high évapotranspiration by the vegetation surrounding the wetlands. Only a small portion of the recharged water flows to regional aquifers, but this portion is important for sustaining groundwater resources. Wetland drainage eliminates the local flow systems, but may have little effects on regional aquifers other than a slight lowering of the groundwater levels. Further research should focus on the effects of wetland drainage on regional groundwater levels, the role of small ephemeral ponds in groundwater recharge, and the contribution of groundwater inflow to the water balance of large permanent wetlands. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-2 ObjectType-Feature-1 |
ISSN: | 1052-5165 2334-2463 |