Playas of the Great PlainsWinner, Wildlife Publications Award Outstanding Book Category, The Wildlife Society, 2004 Texas Tech University President's Book Award, 2005 Shallow wetlands that occur primarily in semi arid to arid environments, playas are keystone ecosystems in the western Great Plains of North America. Providing irreplaceable habitat for native plants and animals, including migratory birds, they are essential for the maintenance of biotic diversity throughout the