Texas Aquatic Ecosystems Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTdeuTGsEb0 Aquifers and Stream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85Uv7Vi2iw8 Streams and Rivers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ4HpuT5uGk Lakes and Ponds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPDp5YQ9V4w

Wetlands Wetland- an area of land that is saturated with water Can filter water from pollutants Are habitat to a wide diversity of life Texas Wetlands Texas Wetlands II NTMWD constructed wetland Lewis Cowardin developed a wetland classification system in 1979, aptly named the Cowardin classification system

Types of Wetlands Marine (ocean) - exposed to open ocean. Estuarine (estuary) – partially enclosed by land and contain a mix of fresh and saltwater. fine grained clay soil mixed with humus. Plant life must be able to adapt to varying degrees of salinity and freshwater; typically halophytes (can resist salt stress). The higher the salinity level, there will typically be lower diversity of plant types. Texas Bays and Estuaries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEwh5SaRnOY Riverine (river) – wetland typically found along highly fluctuating river systems. Routinely receive water flow from river system. Lacustrine (lake) – wetland found preceding a lake where a river or system of rivers join prior to the main portion of the lake Palustrine (marsh) – an inland wetland lacking flowing water. Includes inland marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens

Swamp Groundwater or surface water fed Dominated by woody plants such as trees, typically mangroves, cypress, or cedar

Marsh Also groundwater or surface water fed pH neutral Dominated by soft-stemmed vegetation Fresh or salt water

Fen Peat-forming wetlands Fed by nearby drainage from streams or rivers High in nutrients Typically dominated by grasses and wildflowers

Bog Fed by precipitation and do not receive runoff from nearby waterways Typically dominated by peat and moss Acidic water (pH <7) Low in nutrients