1. Texas Aquatic Ecosystems
Intro:
Aquifers and Stream
Streams and Rivers
Lakes and Ponds

2. Wetlands Wetland- an area of land that is saturated with water
Can filter water from pollutants
Are habitat to a wide diversity of life
Texas Wetlands
Texas Wetlands II
NTMWD constructed wetland
Lewis Cowardin developed a wetland classification system in 1979, aptly named the Cowardin classification system

3. Types of Wetlands Marine (ocean) - exposed to open ocean.
Estuarine (estuary) – partially enclosed by land and contain a mix of fresh and saltwater.
fine grained clay soil mixed with humus. Plant life must be able to adapt to varying degrees of salinity and freshwater; typically halophytes (can resist salt stress). The higher the salinity level, there will typically be lower diversity of plant types.
Texas Bays and Estuaries:
Riverine (river) – wetland typically found along highly fluctuating river systems. Routinely receive water flow from river system.
Lacustrine (lake) – wetland found preceding a lake where a river or system of rivers join prior to the main portion of the lake
Palustrine (marsh) – an inland wetland lacking flowing water. Includes inland marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens

4. Swamp Groundwater or surface water fed
Dominated by woody plants such as trees, typically mangroves, cypress, or cedar

5. Marsh Also groundwater or surface water fed pH neutral
Dominated by soft-stemmed vegetation
Fresh or salt water

6. Fen Peat-forming wetlands
Fed by nearby drainage from streams or rivers
High in nutrients
Typically dominated by grasses and wildflowers

7. Bog
Fed by precipitation and do not receive runoff from nearby waterways
Typically dominated by peat and moss
Acidic water (pH <7)
Low in nutrients