As part of an ongoing effort to repair and enhance Indiana wetlands, staff at the Hoosier National Forest recently monitored and adjusted water levels at the Otter Creek Riparian Restoration area in Crawford County.
Indiana has lost nearly 85% of the wetlands from a century ago due to farming and development. The ecosystem is classified by places where water either covers the soil or is present near the surface throughout the year and are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world.
The Otter Creek area is a type of wetland called a moist soil unit, which is traditionally flooded during fall for wildlife foraging purposes and roosting habitats for waterfowl. The restoration project is aimed at reclaiming the lost habitat.
In the summer, the water levels are reduced to allow for the germination of annual plants, according to Bryan King, Hoosier National Forest wildlife technician. The goal is to recreate the shallow water wetlands that existed before settlements.
“We’ve planted native trees and shrubs and installed water control structures to support wildlife and restore the wetland areas,” King said.
The efforts by the Hoosier National Forest have been part of their work for over 30 years in 10 different areas of forest. Wetlands are valuable to nature and host a wide variety of species of plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and mammals.
“The adjustment and monitoring of Otter Creek Restoration Riparian area water levels (and the water levels of other Hoosier National Forest wetlands) is essential in making sure that wetlands in southern Indiana continue to serve as a beneficial habitat to the thousands of species of aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals that live there,” King said.
For more information about the Hoosier National Forest and their work, visit fs.usda.gov/Hoosier.
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
