Forbs include shell-leaf penstemon, broom snakeweed, prairie goldenpea, false boneset, scarlet globemallow, Missouri goldenrod, and fringed sage. Typical shrubs include silver sage, chokecherry, prickly rose, poison ivy, and soapweed yucca. Rocky Mountain juniper is the predominant tree species, but green ash and box elder occur occasionally. Wetland Habitats Prairie Wetlands Wetlands on the Sandhills in Nebraska developed as ground water seepage areas in the valleys of wind-deposited sand dunes. Soils of the region are principally fine sands of various taxonomic series.
Wetlands are still commonplace.
Prairie wetlands occur within the Rainwater Basin region of Adams, Kearney, Phelps, and Gosper counties and in the sandhills region of northern Lincoln and southern Garden counties. Wetlands of the Rainwater Basin are closed resulting in basins ranging in size from 2.5-963 acres. The Rainwater Basin has a flat to gently rolling topography. Soils are quite fertile, but contain a high percentage of clay that makes them susceptible to both drought and flooding. Nearly 90 percent of the wetlands in the Rainwater Basin were drained and converted to cropland.