LEQ: Why is it important to have and conserve the wetlands in a watershed? Key Terms: Wetlands Conserve

Wetlands An area of land that is covered with a shallow layer of water during some or all of the year. An area of land that is covered with a shallow layer of water during some or all of the year. Form in places where water is trapped in low areas or where groundwater seeps onto the surface of the land. Form in places where water is trapped in low areas or where groundwater seeps onto the surface of the land. Range in size. Range in size. Can be very small or very large. Can be very small or very large. A short video clip. A short video clip. A short video clip. A short video clip.

Common Characteristics of Wetlands Are a link between the land and the water bodies (lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams) in a watershed. Are a link between the land and the water bodies (lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams) in a watershed. Are located in the middle or intermediate lands. Are located in the middle or intermediate lands. Are part of the watershed. Are part of the watershed. Soils support a certain type of vegetation. Soils support a certain type of vegetation. Are a fragile environment. Are a fragile environment.

Importance of Wetlands (courtesy of Period 2: Amber, Danny, Tamekia, Kylie) Play an essential part in the regulation of river flow and flood control Play an essential part in the regulation of river flow and flood control They filter pollutants and fertilizers. They filter pollutants and fertilizers. They are spawning zones for some species of fish. They are spawning zones for some species of fish. They provide a habitat for plants, insects, and birds. They provide a habitat for plants, insects, and birds.

Importance of Wetlands (courtesy of Period 3: Eddie, Julian, Rodney, Roy) Wetlands control floods Wetlands control floods Provide habitats for animals Provide habitats for animals Filter pollutants and fertilizers Filter pollutants and fertilizers Store water Store water Ground water recharge and discharge Ground water recharge and discharge

Importance of Wetlands (courtesy of Period 8: Anthony, James S.) Play an essential part in the regulation of river flow. Play an essential part in the regulation of river flow. Wetlands filter out pollutants and fertilizers. Wetlands filter out pollutants and fertilizers. Provides vital habitats for various plants and animals. Provides vital habitats for various plants and animals. They help control floods by absorbing excess runoff. They help control floods by absorbing excess runoff.

Threats to Wetlands (courtesy of Period 2: Haley, Shazmine, Yvonne, Jhavon ) Human activities Human activities Mining and dumping Mining and dumping Hydrologic alterations Hydrologic alterations Draining Draining Pollutants Pollutants Both point and nonpoint Both point and nonpoint Diverting Flow Diverting Flow

Threats to Wetlands (courtesy of Period 3: Asia, Heidy, Jalisa, Robert, LaVerl) Draining wetlands for agriculture uses. Draining wetlands for agriculture uses. Human activities are causing wetland pollution. Human activities are causing wetland pollution. Heavy pollution such as nutrients Heavy pollution such as nutrients Vegetation damage caused by grazing. Vegetation damage caused by grazing.

Threats to Wetlands (courtesy of Period 6: Sidney) Excess runoff from urban, agricultural, and mining areas. Excess runoff from urban, agricultural, and mining areas. Air pollution from cars, factories, and power plants. Air pollution from cars, factories, and power plants. Old landfills and dumps that leak toxic substances. Old landfills and dumps that leak toxic substances. Marinas where boats increase turbidity and release pollutants. Marinas where boats increase turbidity and release pollutants.

Threats to Wetlands (courtesy of Period 8: Morgan, Cache) Excess runoff from urban, agricultural, and mining areas. Excess runoff from urban, agricultural, and mining areas. Air pollution from cars, factories, and power plants. Air pollution from cars, factories, and power plants. Old landfills and dumps that leak toxic substances. Old landfills and dumps that leak toxic substances. Marinas where boats increase turbidity and release pollutants. Marinas where boats increase turbidity and release pollutants.

Types of Wetlands and Their Characteristics (courtesy of Period 2: Sashey, Blake, Shacola, Bianca) Mangrove Swamps Mangrove Swamps Marshes Marshes Flood Plains Flood Plains Bogs Bogs

Types of Wetlands and Their Characteristics (courtesy of Period 3: Kevin, Jorge, Javana, Zakiya, Shane, Rahn) Marshes Marshes Grassy, cattails, rushes, tulle, and other tall grass like plants Grassy, cattails, rushes, tulle, and other tall grass like plants Swamps Swamps Flooded forests, trees, and shrubs growing in water. Flooded forests, trees, and shrubs growing in water. Bogs Bogs Contain acid and mass Contain acid and mass Riparian Riparian Wetland areas around lakes, rivers, and streams. Wetland areas around lakes, rivers, and streams.

Types of Wetlands and Their Characteristics (courtesy of Period 8: Jelani, Hez, Gary) Marshes Marshes Contain plants without strong woody stems. Contain plants without strong woody stems. Maybe fresh or saltwater Maybe fresh or saltwater Swamps Swamps Contain woody plants (i.e. trees and shrubs) Contain woody plants (i.e. trees and shrubs) Wide variety of plants and animals. Wide variety of plants and animals. Bogs Bogs Freshwater wetlands found in cold regions. Freshwater wetlands found in cold regions. Water meadows Water meadows

Conserve Because of their importance to our watersheds: Because of their importance to our watersheds: We need to try our best to preserve, conserve and protect our wetlands