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The Cottonwood Lake study area, a long-term wetland ecosystem monitoring site

March 22, 2012

The Cottonwood Lake study area is one of only three long-term wetland ecosystem monitoring sites in the prairie pothole region of North America; the other two are Orchid Meadows in South Dakota and St. Denis in Saskatchewan. Of the three, Cottonwood Lake has, by far, the longest continuous data-collection record. Research was initiated at the study area in 1966, and intensive investigations of the hydrology, chemistry, and biology of prairie pothole wetlands continue at the site today. This fact sheet describes the study area, provides an overview of wetland ecology research that has been conducted at the site in the past, and provides an introduction to current work being conducted at the study area by USGS scientists.

Publication Year 2012
Title The Cottonwood Lake study area, a long-term wetland ecosystem monitoring site
DOI 10.3133/fs20123040
Authors David M. Mushet, Ned H. Euliss
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Fact Sheet
Series Number 2012-3040
Index ID fs20123040
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center