Anthropogenically accelerated sediment accumulation within playa wetlands as a result of land cover change on the High Plains of the central United States

Playa wetlands are ubiquitous features of the central and southern Great Plains, and in Kansas alone, there are > 22,000 playas. Consequently, playas are critical wetland resources for the region, providing a range of ecosystem functions, such as groundwater recharge, surface water storage, and wetland habitat. Anthropogenically accelerated sediment accumulation is the primary impact reducing playa ecosystem functions. Objectives of this study were to estimate the amount of recent sediment accumulated within playas, determine how watershed and playa morphometry and land cover influenced sediment accumulation, and assess the role of grass buffers in reducing sediment accumulation. Land surveys and sediment thickness measurements were conducted throughout 64 Kansas playas with watershed cropland ranging from 0 to 100% and grass buffers ranging from non-existent to continuous to a width of ≥ 30 m. Results indicate watershed and playa morphometry have minimal influence on recent sediment accumulation within playas, and land-cover change is the primary driver. Playas without grass buffers within cropland watersheds on average accumulated 8.5 cm of recent sediment and lost 30% volume of storage capacity, while those with grass buffers in mixed cropland watersheds accumulated an average of 1.8 cm of recent sediment and lost 7% volume. Playas within grassland watersheds on average accumulated 2.3 cm of recent sediment and lost 13% volume. Grass buffers, while rarely utilized, could be highly effective at reducing the impacts of anthropogenically accelerated sediment accumulation and protecting playa ecosystem functions. Without grass buffers, anthropogenically accelerated sediment deliveries will continue to accumulate within playas, greatly reducing ecosystem functions, and, ultimately, many playas will disappear from the landscape.