Wetland Plants of the Great Salt Lake

Submergent Wetlands Submergent wetlands are often referred to as ponds or open water wetlands. They are large, relatively deep, and flooded for most or all of the year.39 Approximately 260 km² (64,375 ac) of Great Salt Lake (GSL) wetland habitat is classified as submergent. Most of these submergent wetlands occur in large impoundments or wetland units where deep flooding can be accomplished through diking, diversion, and water level management.14 Submergent wetlands are characterized by an abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) that grows while submerged within the water column or floating on the water’s surface.39 Most SAV are well adapted in constantly flooded environments because of tuberous roots and large, floating seeds.10 Plants Spiral ditchgrass (Ruppia cirrhosa, p. 24) and sago pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata, p. 23) are two of the most common and valuable GSL submergent species. Both tolerate elevated salinity and are high-quality food sources for migratory birds; however, sago pondweed is considered the cornerstone SAV species.7 Its presence in a submergent wetland indicates the wetland’s productivity for birds. The entire plant is edible and highly nutritious, including the leaves, tubers, and large seeds.8; 39 Spiral ditchgrass is also highly nutritious but less productive; its importance to bird diets increases significantly during the winter months when other food sources are rare.62 9