Wetlands

What is a watershed? It is not a shed that holds water!! A watershed is an area of land that water flows across as it moves to a larger body of water Now that you know what a watershed is and you have some knowledge of what wetlands are: Make a T chart: One side my Watershed and the other My Community. Make a list of words describing the watershed found here and also where your house is Then write a summary in one sentence how they are alike

Watersheds Now that we know the river basins that affect our school yard, think about how people alter these basins. List these (at least 3 ways) Draw a basic map of the school property Label the direction water travels/drains when it rains Show high and low areas (pond, parking lots, buildings, etc)

…If you viewed a watershed from an airplane, you would most likely see a very interesting sight below? The drainage patterns of the watershed may look like the branches of a tree, a complex road system or even the human nervous system. …in one year a large oak tree will transpire about 40,000 gallons of water (152,200 liters)? That’s a lot of water! Factoid - Did you know?

According to the EPA, wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present at or near the surface. In other words it is land that at one point becomes saturated? Swamp – NE NC Bog – Plymouth, NC What is a wetland?

Wetlands Wetlands include a wide variety of aquatic plants Wetlands are transition areas between dry uplands and aquatic systems (ie. Rivers, lakes or oceans) To be considered a wetland, a region must have wet soils or be covered by a shallow layer of water for at least part of the year Wetlands

Wetlands are natural reservoirs that hold water, much like a sponge in your kitchen. Since water and soil is saturated, we use the term “hydric” Wetlands, cont.

Types of Wetlands

More Wetland Types… Estuaries Swamps Fens Mangrove Wetlands Freshwater (forested) Slough Fens Mangrove Wetlands Wet Prairie Sedge Meadow Riparian Wetlands Marshes Salt water Fresh water Tidal Fresh water Marsh More Wetland Types…

Description of wetlands

Importance of Wetlands There are 5 functions of wetlands: Improve water quality: Provide Flood Protection Prevent Shoreline Erosion Provide Wildlife Habitat Provide areas for recreation Importance of Wetlands

Improve Water Quality Wetland plants and soils act as a filter, trapping pollutants as they move through the ecosystem. If the water eventually seeps into underground water supplies, it is much cleaner than it was when it entered the wetland. Known as “nature’s kidneys”

Wetlands are known as “nature’s kidneys” because they help clean out the pollutants that move through them They purify and filter contaminants from agriculture activities They filter water that drains and flows off the surface of the land Improve Water Quality

Provide Flood Protection During periods of heavy precipitation, water often flows into low-lying wetlands. These wetlands can store excess water and prevent damage to residential or commercial areas.

Provide Flood Protection Wetlands act as giant sponges  They absorb heavy rainfall Those located along the coast serve as a natural barrier from storm surges Provide Flood Protection

Store Water Wetlands are important storage areas that collect rainwater. Some of the water soaks into the ground to refill the aquifer. Some is gradually released either back to the atmosphere or to other surface bodies of water

Provide Wildlife Habitat Many plant and animal species depend on wetlands for survival. They help serve as a nursery In addition, sheltered and nutrient-rich wetlands serve as ideal nursery areas for a wide variety of animals

Provide Areas of Recreation Humans can visit wetlands to enjoy a number of outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, boating, hiking and bird watching. Provide Areas of Recreation

A stormwater system is a tool for managing the runoff from rainfall When water can’t soak directly in the ground it flows into grates, swales or ditches located around town. These in turn send water into a stormwater pond (if one has been created) The purpose of this pond is to prevent flooding and remove pollutants before water can infiltrate into the ground water. Stormwater Systems

A linear retention system A linear retention system. Constructed or natural to allow water to flow to other bodies of water. Grate Ditch Swale Stormwater Systems

Water Quality We tend to think water will always be clean forever. Water is the GREATEST gift of nature… But, we pollute a lot. We, as humans, have exploited our great natural gift to a level where water pollution is impossible to control. Water Pollution is the contamination of water bodies. Water Quality

Industries and Agriculture are big contributors of water pollution It not only affects the water quality, but it damages the life of aquatic species When it gets into the water supply like a lake or pond it can create Eutrophication Water Pollution

Eutrophication

14 Billion pounds of garbage (mostly plastic) is dumped into the ocean every year About 70% of industrial waste is dumped into water and it pollutes the usable water supply.  In America, 40% of the rivers and 46% of the lakes are polluted and are considered unhealthy for swimming, fishing or aquatic life. Water pollution is the major cause of various diseases like cholera and typhoid. U.S. EPA estimates, every year in the U.S, 1.2 trillion gallons of sewage from household, industry and restaurants is dumped in to U.S. water annually. Water Pollution Facts

Water Pollution Facts, Cont. About 700 million people worldwide drink contaminated water. Storm water from streets, parking lots, and otherpaved surfaces (known as urban runoff) carries pollution directly into our waters Agricultural runoff is also one of the leading sources of water impairment for rivers and streams, estuaries, and lakes  In 2008 the Gulf of Mexico dead zone was estimated to be 7,988 sq. miles, roughly the size of New Jersey.  Water Pollution Facts, Cont.

Nonpoint Source Pollution Nonpoint Source comes from many different sources. Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from agricultural lands and residential areas Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy production Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding stream banks Salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from abandoned mines Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes, and faulty septic system Nonpoint Source Pollution

Point Source Pollution EPA Defines this as “any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged” Factories and sewage treatment plants are 2 common sources. Point Source Pollution

Clean Water Act of 1972 was put into place in order to protect our water. It regulates the discharge of pollutants into the waters of the US. It regulates the quality standards for surface waters. This act has set wastewater standards for industry Protecting Water

Preserving Promote Water Efficiency Preserve Water Ecosystems Reduce air pollution, wasted energy and amount of deforested lands to correct climate change Preserving

Careers in Wetland Environments Botanist – Studies plants and plant life Aquatic Biologist – Studies plants and animals that live in freshwater ecosystems, including wetlands Geologist – studies earth and physical processes that change it Zoologist – studies animals, not necessarily those at a zoo Environmentalist – Studies the environment and advocates the protection of the environment Careers in Wetland Environments