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II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ~ r:.' ''>'" ,,) '.... '..- .~.j ~ ~,j (bluestem, sandreed, needlegrasses) and introduced grasses and is used for rangel and, pasture and some hay. Cultivated crops are limited because of the sandy, nutrient poor soils and the extreme wind erosion potential. Overgrazing has usually been carefully avoided because of the erosion poten- tial that it creates. The combination of these factors have resulted in preservation of much of the area in an almost natural state to date. Irrigation is expanding, however, and wetlands are progressively being destroyed. Most of the Sandhills region is in private ownership, and is principally compri sed of large ranches. Exceptions incl ude the Nenzel (Niobrara) and Halsey (Bessey) Divisions of the Nebraska National Forest and the Valentine and Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuges. The Dismal, Elkhorn, Niobrara and Loup (Middle, South and North) rivers are the major systems in the area. All but the Niobrara originate in the Sandhi 11 s. The significance of the Sandhills is due to three main factors: 1. It is the largest area of important wetlands in the High Plains region; 2. It is located on the Central Flyway and the numerous lakes attract mi grant waterfowl, shorebi rds and wadi ng bi rds, as well as predatory bi rds, and provide stopover, staging and nesting areas for many species; and 3. It is one of the few expansive areas in the continential u.s. which has been retained so far in a nearly original state. Direct runoff in the Sandhills is minimal. Most rainfall is absorbed by the soils and moves downward to the ground water. The ground water discharges laterally to many of the wetlands, lakes and streams. One of the most significant natural features of the Sandhills are the numerous upland wetlands, many of which are hydraulically connected with the 1-13