The rapid expansion of pattern tile drainage (PTD) to enhance agricultural production in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) has the potential to negatively impact ecosystem services provided by wetlands. To better understand and assess these impacts we will develop a spatial database to provide a regional characterization of areas at risk to PTD. Spatial information in conjunction with existing data and models will be used to make preliminary projections on the effects of PTD on cosystem services such as duck production, water storage and water quality. Spatial information will be used to identify study sites that will be instrumented to quantify and model the effects of PTD systems on wetland hydrology; this information is critical for refinement and calibration of model projections. The spatial database developed through this project and field studies will benefit other projects addressing PTD and hydrological issues in the PPP LCC. Ultimately, this work will provide the first assessment on the impacts PTD on ecosystem services as well as provide the underpinning for future development of decision support tools for private, state, federal and NGO stakeholders.
