1. WETLANDS

2. 2 Categories of Wetlands
Coastal Wetlands occur near the ocean and are closely linked to estuaries
Inland Wetlands occur everywhere from plains to mountain tops

3. Defined
areas of habitat that have waterlogged soils and are at least periodically covered with water
the plants that grow in the area are also distinctive

4. Why isn’t it always covered with water?
Because the land does not always have standing water in all places
low lying areas or basins gather rain and runoff
ground water and the water table lie at the surface
rivers sometimes overflow their banks
tidal areas vary

5. Functions of Wetlands
flood control- acts as shallow bowls which slow water velocity, collects and spreads water

6. silt traps - silt will settle out once it reaches slow flowing wetlands areas and then the plants will absorb or trap the silt
Trapping silt in wetlands prevents it from entering the streams and causing habitat damage

7. Drinking water is affected by wetland health
refill underground aquifers
wetlands act as
filters that cleans
our water before it
enters the aquifer

8. storm breakers - buffers winds and waves along coastlines; also stops lots of sediments from entering bays and lagoons
Plants stabilize shorelines and protect inland areas

9. habitat - provides food, shelter, water, space for all types of wildlife
stop over resting places for migratory wildlife
habitat for many endangered species

10. absorbs pollutants - wetland plants can absorb and store pollutants like heavy metals, pesticides..
Natural filters

11. nurseries - perfect place to raise young as the vegetation provides shelter from predators and lots of food for quick growth
prime breeding habitat for shrimp, crabs, waterfowl

12. Regulates climate - wetland plants and animals are part of the global water and nitrogen cycles. Wetland plants store carbon instead of releasing it into the atmosphere--reducing gases which contribute to global warming

13. Fire control - wetter areas tend to burn less
since wetlands often follow corridors along streams and lakes, they make natural fire breaks

14. Reasons for Wetland Destruction
People often
viewed wetlands
as places to drain
and develop
--as a nonuseful piece of land that could be made useful

15. agriculture
perfect soil for water loving crops
low-cost irrigation

16. It is a natural source of water for grazing animals
Streams could be channeled for irrigation and flood control

17. Commercial and
industrial uses

18. Mining - removing the vegetation removes the ability of the land to absorb pollutants
wetlands would prevent mine
waste from damaging streams

19. recreational

20. housing development - everyone wants a place to live, so houses
could be built
and…you have to get
to work, shopping...

21. Introduction of non-native species displace native plants and grow uncontrollably by natural means
Brazilian Pepper destroys habitat for wading birds
Purple Loosestrife quickly crowds out native species and replaces food plants and needed habitat

22. Types of Wetlands
salt marshes (pocosins and others) often have tidal influences but the salinity is lower than in coastal marshes

23. mangrove swamps

24. freshwater marshes

25. Wetlands do not always look like what most people think of as wetlands--the difference is in the soil and plants
Vernal Ponds are dry most of the year, yet they are critical to amphibians for breeding habitat

26. fen is a type of freshwater marsh, with peat moss dominating
has more oxygen and less acidity than the bogs so it will support more life
found in northern regions where its cooler

27. bogs and muskegs are found in colder regions
dominated by sphagnum moss
lower oxygen
very acidic

28. Everglades -often called the river of grass are found in Florida

29. ANY QUESTIONS?