D.H. Rickerl, J.H. Gritzner, P.K. Wieland, M. Sarrafi
Many wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) were enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) during the seventh and eighth sign-up periods. The fate of these wetlands upon CRP contract expiration has not been defined in the conservation compliance plans for acres returning to agricultural production. We utilized a Geographic Information System (GIS) to overlay maps of wetlands, CRP acreages, surficial aquifers, lakes, rivers and other landscape features in a small watershed in eastern South Dakota. Sublevel wetland watersheds were developed to help illustrate field scale drainage patterns and surface linkages. An analysis of the output suggests management options based on spatial relationships and attribute data. For example, wetlands in the CRP which overlie a surficial aquifer, can be sorted by their potential impact on groundwater quality and their management will require practices that reduce the risk of contamination from agricultural chemicals. Management to maximize wildlife/habitat benefits may be more appropriate for blocky CRP tracts which border or include shelterbelt plantings. Other CRP tracts which are linear in nature and border small streams or rivers may be maintained as permanent riparian buffer strips. Attribute data including the percentage of highly erodible land, soil type, and land capability class can also be integrated with maps to suggest best management practices for agricultural utilization.
