A Guide to Moist-Soil Wetland Plants of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley

Moist-soil wetlands are dominated by annual, early-succession vegetation commonly growing in periodically disturbed soils that experience periods of drying and soaking during a year. Moist-soil plants are vegetation that occurs on the edges of rivers, stream banks, ponds, and seasonal wetlands. This vegetation is generally first to germinate after flooding and is tolerant of moist to inundated soils for part or all of the growing season. The authors have combined their extensive experience working in actively managed and unmanaged wetlands from southern Missouri to southern Louisiana to produce a text which includes most of the plants they encountered. A detailed, richly illustrated, yet user-friendly guide to identify moist-soil plants of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley has not been available until now. Moist-soil management is a staple of habitat conservation for waterfowl and other wildlife in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Furthermore, moist-soil management is an essential component of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and federal programs such as the Wetlands Reserve Program providing key habitat for wetland wildlife throughout North America. Landowners, scientists, and students alike will welcome this useful resource.