On February 1, researchers at the Jones Center at Ichauway and Auburn University premiered a short film entitled “Discovering the Value of Agricultural Wetlands” at the Crossroads Facility at the Jones Center at Ichauway in Newton, Georgia. The film, produced by Motion House Media, highlights the ecological value of wetlands located within agricultural fields.
These benefits include capturing and filtering runoff from agricultural fields before it enters ground water, providing wildlife habitat, and storing Phosphorous, Nitrogen and Carbon.
The findings are based on research conducted in Geographically Isolated Wetlands—also known as agricultural wetlands-- in the Dougherty Plain over the past several years with funding from a United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Research Grant.
Following the video premiere, researchers and representatives of the local agricultural community participated in a panel to discuss findings and next steps for the work.
Dr. Frances O’Donnell, Dr. Matthew Waters, Dr. Stephen Brantley, and Dr. Steve Golladay led this interdisciplinary research project and participated on the discussion panel. The uniqueness of the various specialties of the research team was highlighted. The research includes short term monitoring of wetlands, as well as long term analysis and modeling.
“Wetlands are really a boundary between aquatic and terrestrial systems, which attracted the diverse research team,” O’Donnell explained during the panel.
Local farmer Adam McLendon also participated on the panel, which was moderated by Perri Cooper, Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District Executive Director. Cooper is also featured in the video.
“We are excited to learn from this research and understand how this is actionable and applicable to working lands in our District,” says Cooper. “It’s really an honor to be invited to participate in the outreach efforts lead by Auburn and The Jones Center.”
Agricultural wetlands can often be a hinderance to farmers, however understanding how they can be managed to optimize ecosystem services is a key objective of the project. McLendon specifically highlighted how USDA programming can assist farmers in adopting some of these management practices.
“I would like to see a way to compensate farmers these ecosystem services achieved through optimal management of geographically isolated wetlands,” Brantley said as panelists highlighted their hopes for future research and applications of the findings.
The video can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9N1RRXXhDY
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District is comprised of farmers, landowners, and community leaders that are dedicated to the conservation, wise use, and protection of natural resources in the Flint River Basin. Learn more about the District at flintriverswcd.org.