Wetland Plants of the Great Salt Lake

Playa Wetlands Playa means “beach” or “seashore” in Spanish and refers to an arid or semiarid wetland with distinct wet and dry seasons.36 Playas comprise approximately 240 km² (60,317 ac) around Great Salt Lake (GSL); in fact, the lake itself is located in a playa depression, which is why it is relatively shallow. GSL playas typically collect water during the spring. When water evaporates, the mineral deposits left behind create highly saline and alkaline soil conditions.39 Playas are sparsely vegetated and occur on poorly drained depressions that typically have no outlet. Because playas are a harsh environment, plants that do occur in playas have physiological adaptations to survive drought, salinity, and high pH. Mudflats are areas that have become exposed when flooded submergent or emergent wetlands have been drawn down. GSL mudflats cover approximately 1,680 km² (414,689 ac) and are considered critical habitat for millions of migratory shorebirds. During periods of drought, large portions of the bed of GSL itself are also exposed and classified as mudflats.55 Because plant species found in playas also occur on mudflats, this section combines facts about playas with facts about mudflats.

Plants Despite their simple vegetation structure, playas and mudflats are difficult to manage and tend to be maintained passively. Playa vegetation requires both brief, seasonal flooding and extended drought. Plants that grow in playas, such as pickleweed (Salicornia rubra, p. 124) and Pursh seepweed 111