For the lower Mississippi Basin, here are estimates of some wetland habitats
at high river stage. Numbers are for total area(ha):
Prior to Human Modification Present
Slough 60,000 24,500
Oxbow lake 37,500 12,500
Seasonally
inundated
floodplain 4 million 600,000
Floodplain pond 10,000 < 1,000
Borrow pits --- 17,000
Source: Baker, J.A., K.J. Killgore, and R.L. Kasul. 1991. Aquatic habitats
and fish communities in the Lower Mississippi River. Rev.s Aquat. Sci.s
3(4): 313-356.
Notice that the greatest percent loss is for the least extensive (in terms
of total area) and smallest (<< 500 m2) type of wetland: floodplain ponds.
Baker et al. note that "Floodplain ponds support what is undoubtedly the
most unusual fish community of all river habitats." Interestingly, all of
the fish species characteristic of floodplain ponds can be found in a
man-made but functionally similar type of wetland: borrow pits.
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