Baker University Natural Areas

Abstract

The 573 acre area was used for agricultural purposes by Haskell Indian Junior College prior to 1969. Several years before, the area had reverted to the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Baker University received the deed to the area in September 1969 and, the same year, Baker Wetlands was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service. Based upon the earliest available aerial photography (1937) a levee had been constructed around the area and much of the land had been tilled and tiled for drainage. Baker Wetlands is best classified as a wetland prairie/marsh. The area lies in the floodplain of the Wakarusa River. The river borders the south side but the land slopes slightly away from the river so that the north end is wetter than the south end. A levee completely encloses the area and a large flood control structure borders the west side. No inlets bring water into the area but there are several outlet locations. Soils of the area consists of a 200250 meter wide strip of Reading silt loam near the river and most of the remaining section is Wabash silty clay. On the north side are two intrusions, one of Sibleyville loam and the other is Wabash silty clay loam. Native floral habitat is virtually gone in most of the original river bottoms due to previous agricultural practices and flood control structures. A 45 acre native prairie still exists and contains characteristic native plant species: Prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Bidens sp., Helianthus maximiliani, H. tuberosa, and H. grosserratus. Dominant mammals of the wetland are prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) and cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus). The area also contains southern bog lemmings (Synaptomys cooperi), deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) and woods mouse (P. leucopus). Large densities of sparrows occupy the area in winter including song, swamp, Lincoln, fox, white-crowned sparrows, and