In the past, there were more trappers to remove the dam-building furbearers, and local ricers commonly removed beaver dams to drop water levels, he adds. These activities altered the complex wetland ecosystem in a way that fostered large beds of wild rice, which provide food and shelter for a range of wildlife species. The grain is an essential food for ducks and other water birds, and the rice beds provide ideal living conditions for the tiny aquatic crustaceans and insects that form the foundation of most wetland food chains. This is the real meat ducks need to build strong bones and muscles. The invertebrates also provide food for nongame birds such as yellow rails and eared grebes.
Muskrats eat and build homes from the wild rice vegetation.
In turn, mink, otters, eagles, and other predators eat the muskrats. Public interest Because wild rice beds provide vital wildlife habitat, Norr-gard and other DNR wildlife biologists want to draw public attention to the grain. They hope that when people have a recreational or economic interest in wild rice, they'll be more inclined to protect and restore the grain's habitat. Wildlife biologists previously haven't had to spend much time or effort on wild rice management because the grain did fine without help. However, now that COs are saddled with additional duties, they have less time to devote to wild rice regulation enforcement.