From the publication, “Study sites by hierarchical cluster assignment: (A) western Lake Superior (sites 1–22); (B) eastern Lake Superior, northern Lake Michigan, and northern Lake Huron (sites 23–47, 54–58); (C) Lake Ontario (sites 78–90); (D) eastern Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie (sites 27–30, 48–77).”Abstract
The wetland complex is the functional ecological unit of the prairie pothole region (PPR) of central North America. Diverse complexes of wetlands contribute high spatial and temporal environmental heterogeneity, productivity, and biodiversity to these glaciated prairie landscapes. Climate-warming simulations using the new model WETLANDSCAPE (WLS) project major reductions in water volume, shortening of hydroperiods, and less-dynamic vegetation for prairie wetland complexes. The WLS model portrays the future PPR as a much less resilient ecosystem; The western PPR will be too dry and the eastern PPR will have too few functional wetlands and nesting habitat to support historic levels of waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species. Maintaining ecosystem goods and services at current levels in a warmer climate will be a major challenge for the conservation community.
Mirela G. Tulbure
Professor
I am an Associate Professor with the Center for Geospatial Analytics at North Carolina State University (NCSU).