By Sierra Healy, Eliza Blanchette, Alec Bean, Period 1

“Swampy land: a marsh, swamp, or other area of land where the soil near the surface is saturated or covered with water, especially one that forms a habitat for wildlife” Land consisting of marshes or swamps; saturated land. Where saturation with water is the dominant factor determining the nature of soil development. Wetlands vary widely because of regional and local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation, and other factors, including human disturbance. Found from the tundra to the tropics and on every continent except Antarctica!

Temperatures vary greatly depending on the Wetland, but a typical wetland has warm summers, cold winters, and temperatures are not normally extreme. Tropical wetlands near the equator are warm year round. Wetlands can receive between 7 to 200 inches of rain in a year.

There is no best time to come to a wetland, each season brings it’s own fantastic attraction. Spring is perfect to view wild flowers and songbirds. In Summer you can enjoy the sounds of crickets and marsh frogs. Picnics in wetlands are very popular in the Summer. Autumn brings excellent viewing opportunities to see rare birds. In Winter wild ducks flock to wetlands, not too mention snowshoeing is excellent in winter.

Wetlands consist primarily of hydric soil, which supports aquatic plants. The factor that distinguishes wetlands from other land forms or water bodies is the characteristic vegetation that is adapted to its unique soil conditions. Wetlands occur naturally on every continent except Antarctica. Wetlands are also considered the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems, serving as home to a wide range of plant and animal life.

A keystone species in wetlands are frogs Fish are more dependent on wetland ecosystems than any other type of habitat There are many reptiles, including alligators and crocodiles There are four types of plants in wetlands; submerged water plants, floating water plants, emergent water plants, and surrounding trees and shrubs Insects and invertebrates can be submerged in the water or soil, on the surface, and in the atmosphere

In more tropical wetlands, mangrove trees have adapted to have roots that reach all the way out of the water to help maintain adequate root respiration The platypus turns up mud on the bottom of the wetland to unearth insects

Hiking around and in wetlands is a great activity Photographers may enjoy the wetlands for the great number of unique and interesting species of plants and animals to photograph Canoeing and kayaking through the areas is a great way to see some species you couldn’t from the shore, close up

Many migratory birds use wetlands as mating grounds, so tourists are advised to be conscious of the birds patterns and not interrupt them. The wetlands are very delicate and need to not be disturbed.

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