Ecological divergence among remnant, rehabilitated, and reconstructed wet meadows in the Platte River Valley, Nebraska, United States

Introduction Over the last century, anthropogenic modifications, such as dams and water diversions, have led to significant hydrogeomorphic changes to the Platte River in central Nebraska, contributing to the loss of 75–80% of its river‐associated wet meadows. Given the importance of wet meadows as vital habitat for Sandhill cranes ( Antigone canadensis ), endangered Whooping cranes ( Grus americana ), and many other waterbirds and grassland birds, numerous conservation organizations have been restoring wet meadows throughout the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) for four decades. Objectives We evaluated the progress of wet meadow restorations by comparing the vegetative communities of remnant ( n = 20), rehabilitated (restored sites that were previously forested floodplains, n = 11), and reconstructed (restored sites which were previously croplands, n = 14) sites in the CPRV during the summers of 2020–2022. Methods We used a quadrat ocular cover estimation method along 100 m transects to collect vegetation data. Hydrologic data such as depth to groundwater, elevation relative to the Platte River, and distance to main and nearest channel were also collected. Results Vegetative communities in remnant, rehabilitated, and reconstructed wet meadow sites differed in ecologically meaningful ways, particularly in the cover of hydrophytes which was greatest in remnant sites. Remnant sites were lower in elevation relative to the riverbed and ostensibly more hydrologically connected to groundwater than rehabilitated or reconstructed sites. Conclusions Continued differences in the vegetative communities of remnant, rehabilitated, and reconstructed sites indicate a need for greater focus on site hydrology in wet meadow restorations.