Wetlands are generally considered to be areas deep and large enough to hold water year round.
Sloughs, a common sight in Saskatchewan, are low spots that typically hold spring runoff but dry up later on when the precipitation dwindles.
Rangeland and grassland ecosystems are often served with sources of clean water or areas where water can be collected. The very nature of the land is what keeps the waters clean and naturally filtered.
These bodies of water contribute to the overall diversity of grasslands and ranching for several reasons.
They provide an environment suited to a greater and more diverse selection of plants. Diversity is one of the keys to grassland and rangeland health.
The riparian areas act as filters for run off precipitation.
The healthier and thicker a stand of grass and the less bare soil there is, the more moisture retained in the soil.
More moisture retained in the soil allows opportunity for stores of ground water to be replenished.
When the soil is able to retain more moisture, trees are easier to establish. Trees are another plant species that lead to greater biodiversity of the grassland.
Trees are beneficial to pasture as they provide much needed protection from sun and wind and thus reduce the animal stress. Less stress equates to healthier animals.
With groundwater replenished and soil able to retain more moisture, the land is less severely affected by periods of drought.
Clean and full water bodies benefit animal and human. These areas attract a lot of animal, bird and insect species which each do their part for the collective whole.
A vibrant community of grass species and plentiful trees or brush attract a lot of bird and small animal life.
The birds are essential for insect control.
Small animals are also a food source for larger prey animals, such as the coyote and other sheep predators. If the coyotes natural food source is in abundance they are less likely to bother our sheep.
Natural bodies of water provide a great service to livestock owners. If respectfully utilized they will remain a clean source of water for years to come, providing the opportunity of watering on pasture.
When we dirty our wetlands, expose our soil and over-graze our grass, water disappears and animal life vacates the area. The door is open for insects and invasive species to take over. Soon we see increased parasite and infection problems both to livestock and crop species.
There are many ranchers who continue to take wetlands for granted but more and more are beginning to understand the untold benefits of them.
We have to realize wetlands are not just a sink for livestock drink from. Rather they are the hub of a grassland ecosystem. These areas are essential to all life, an abundance of various animal species gather at them and entire dynamic communities are created around them.
We have to realize wetlands are not just a sink for livestock drink from. Rather they are the hub of a grassland ecosystem. These areas are essential to all life, an abundance of various animal species gather at them and entire dynamic communities are created around them.
