1. Wetlands!
Monday December 17th

2. Wetlands are…
An area of land that is covered by water at some point during the year.

3. While wetlands may look “ichy”
They are extremely beneficial!
Provide habitat for 1000s of species of plants and animals
Absorb and slow floodwaters
Absorb excess nutrients, sediments and pollutants before they reach rivers and oceans

4. There are 3 basic types of wetlands
Wetlands are classified mainly on the types of vegetation
Swamps
Marshes
Bogs

6. Swamps
Swamps are wetlands were the most common types of plants are trees and shrubs.
Often found in low-lying areas near moving water such as rivers

7. Marshes
Often called a wet meadow due to the lack of trees and shrubs, mostly consisting of grasses and other soft-stemmed plants
Water supply for marshes are usually groundwater, small streams and precipitation
Can be freshwater or saltwater

8. Bogs
Most bogs form in depressions created by glaciers, where the only source of water is precipitation
Because water doesn’t drain from a bog, the dead plant material builds up on the bottom creating a substance called peat.