Introduction
Great Salt Lake wetland communities39
Elevation, distance to freshwater
Dominant plants
Hydroperiod
Water chemistry Management tactics
Submergent Emergent Wetlands Wetlands
Meadow Wetlands
Playa Wetlands
Closest to freshwater where deep flooding is possible; farthest from GSL shoreline Submerged aquatic vegetation growing in the water column Permanently to semi-permanently flooded; deep: 40–90 cm (16–35 in) to shallow: 10–45 cm (4–18in)
Higher elevation between uplands and deeply flooded wetlands Mid-height, dense grasses and forbs
At lowest elevations; expanding when shoreline recedes
Fresh to brackish
Salty and alkaline
Manage for a diverse mosaic of plants
Protect groundnesting birds from predators and flooding
Fresh to brackish Maintain consistent flooding; low to moderate salinity; dredge nutrient-rich sediments; minimize physical disturbance
Intermediate elevations in large, flat areas where flooding is shallow Tall vegetation growing up through the water surface Seasonally to semi-permanently flooded with drawdown; deep: 20–30 cm (8–12 in) to shallow: 5–20 cm (2–8 in) Fresh to brackish Ensure spring, fall flooding; drawdown to stimulate seed production; prevent undesirable species invasion
Sparse growth of short, salt-loving plants Seasonally Temporarily flooded to flooded; saturated; shallow: 0–5 very shallow: cm (0–2 in), less than dry most of 5 cm (2 in), the season to saturated soils
Table 1.1
3
