2007 Summaries of Wildlife Research Findings - Minnesota State ...

western grebe, Wilson’s snipe, American bittern, sora, and Virginia rail. Species of greatest
conservation need total 139 for the province, with 13 being unique to this province only (Table
2). Habitat loss (88%) and degradation (92%) are the greatest immediate threats to these species
(MNDNR 2006).
3.2.4.1. Grasslands and agricultural lands in the Prairie Parkland Province
Hansen et al. (2003) reviewed potential effects of climate change on grasslands around
the world. Where precipitation is likely to decline grasslands may experience decreased
productivity and increased vulnerability to invasive species and wildfires. Populations of many
wildlife species in the Prairie Parkland Province have responded to changes in agricultural
policies and land-use practices (e.g., the Conservation Reserve Program). Given the intensive
use of land by humans and paucity of native vegetation in this part of Minnesota, such policies
and practices are likely to continue being the primary force affecting wildlife habitat. Climate
change is unlikely to cause a dramatic change in potential native vegetation (e.g., from grass and
forbs to trees) or a reduction in the proportion of land allocated to production of agricultural
commodities in this province.
442
Rising interest in and development of renewable sources of energy, partially due to
desires to mitigate for climate change, are influencing land-use decisions that affect wildlife. For
example, commercial wind turbine projects and planting feedstocks for ethanol fuel and biomass
(e.g., corn, switchgrass) are becoming more common. As mentioned in Section 2 above,
however, opportunities exist to produce biofuels, sequester carbon from the atmosphere, and
provide other ecosystem services using high-diversity plantings of native grassland perennials
(Tilman et al. 2006).
3.2.4.2. Wetlands in the Prairie Parkland Province
The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) is an area within central North America that is defined
by glacially formed wetlands within a matrix of grassland and agriculture. The PPR, also called
the “duck factory,” is the most important area for breeding ducks. Currently, western Minnesota
is the most eastern extent of the PPR. Climate change, however, is expected to bring drier
conditions to the western PPR and shift the distribution of moisture in the PPR to the east into
Minnesota. Nearly all models suggest soil moisture declines, fewer wetlands, shorter