The Rainwater Basin in south-central Nebraska includes a complex of seasonally shallow playa wetlands that attract millions of migratory waterfowl as well as other waterbirds, including the federally and state listed endangered whooping crane. The Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) data provide the robust capability of capturing small variations in low-relief playa wetlands. The main objective of this project is to build LiDAR-derived 3-D geospatial models to statistically assess the effectiveness of grass plantings and buffers on playa natural inundation and sedimentation control at watershed scales in the Rainwater Basin. The anticipated products include: (1) A set of statistical models to correlate grass plantings/buffers with inundation and sedimentation ratios at watershed scales; (2) A geodatabase/atlas of playa natural inundation and sedimentation ratio conditions; (3) An assessment report for the effectiveness of existing conservation practices (vegetation and buffer); and (4) A recommendation report to prioritize future conservation programs at watershed scales. This project is a pioneer study to conduct an in-depth analysis of the LiDAR data and discover the essential relations of wetland functions and runoff/sedimentation control practices. The findings will directly benefit the GPLCC’s mission and 2013’s science priorities through advancing knowledge by linking LiDAR technology and playa wetland function, and showing how to adapt wetland conservation designs in the Great Plains.
