Prepared by - Ms. Uttara Abhyankar Grade 5 - Biomes

What is a wetland? A Wetland is an area of land where the soil is saturated with moisture either permanently or seasonally. Water is always at or near the surface of the ground.

Wetlands can be huge while some can be the size of a room. Wetlands are found near lakes, ponds, rivers and the oceans.

The water in the wetland may come from rain, melted snow or from underground. It can be fresh water or marine water too. Water from river, lakes, ponds, streams are known as Fresh water. While water from ocean, coral reef, estuaries is Marine water

Wet lands – bogs, swamps, mangroves forest and marshes are wetlands. Bogs are usually found in the cold climate. A marsh has no woody plants. The non-woody plants would be salt marsh grass, reeds or sedges. Marshes are not as deep as swamps. Swamps and marshes can be of either freshwater, saltwater, or a mixture of both (this mixture of both is known as an estuary).estuary

The cycle of life in the wetland

Plants that adapt to the very moist and humid conditions are called hydrophytes e.g. pond lilies and cattails. Wetlands are sometimes areas of stagnant water that support aquatic plants. The Cattail is probably the most recognizable of the wetland plants.

Duckweed, as its name implies, is a significant food source for ducks as well as other waterfowl. Duckweed floats on the surface of the water and is not rooted to the bottom.

Some creatures found in the wetlands

Estuaries are also known as “marine nurseries” as it provides a safe habitat for many organisms e.g. fish. Many of these organisms are born here. They thrive on the food available in these estuaries, once they grow into adults they migrate to the open ocean.

A Mangrove habitat

Why are wetlands important? During heavy rains, a wetland absorbs water like a sponge. When the rains end, the water slowly drains out of the wetland thus keeping the other areas from flooding. Wetlands also act as a natural filtration system. They remove sediments and even toxic chemicals from our water supplies. Salt water wetlands can absorb big waves and prevent damage e.g. The mangroves. Many animals and birds depend on the wetland for food and shelter. Sunderbans in West Bengal Bird watching