1. Wetlands

2. Wetlands Objectives: Describe characteristics of wetlands
Describe various types of freshwater and coastal wetlands
Describe functions of wetlands
Describe threats and current policies of wetlands
Describe various species that inhabit wetlands

3. Characteristics of Wetlands
Land areas that are under water for all or part of the growing season
Can be freshwater or saltwater
They have plants that are adapted to grow in this environment.

4. Examples of Freshwater Wetlands
Swamps – has many trees
Marshes – soft-stemmed plants (grasses)
Bogs – spongy peat, acidic waters, and a thick carpet of sphagnum moss.
Many more

5. Examples of Coastal Wetlands
Estuaries:
an area in which freshwater from a river mixes with saltwater from the ocean (Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States)
Salt Marshes:
ocean shorelines with many grasses
Mangrove Swamps:
tropical shorelines dominated by mangrove trees
Rocky and sandy shores

6. REMEMBER THIS!!!
Wetlands only have to be wet for PART of the growing season
There are many different types of wetlands such as swamps and marshes

7. Questions??? Question 1: What is a wetland?
Question 2: List and describe two common types of wetlands.
Question 3: What type of wetland is the Chesapeake Bay?

8. Functions of Wetlands
Traps and filters sediments, nutrients, and pollutants before they enter larger bodies of water
Reduces flooding by absorbing extra water
works like a sponge
Buffers shorelines to reduce erosion
Provides habitat for plants and animals
Provides recreational areas
fishing, bird watching, canoeing, photography, etc.

9. Threats to Wetlands
Historically, humans used to drain wetlands for development of houses, farms, and commercial development
Wetlands were believed to be useless and were breeding grounds for insects
They are now protected and restored in many areas

10. Plants of the Wetlands Cattails Rushes/sedges/grasses Water lilies
Duckweed
Trees
mangroves
bald cypress
cedar
Some maples
Some oaks
Many more

11. Animals of the Wetlands
Horseshoe crabs
lay their eggs on the shore
Birds
egrets, herons, osprey, and many more
Oysters, barnacles, clams
anchor to grasses or rocks
Beavers
Alligators
Many, many more
area rich in nutrients
migratory stopping grounds

12. REMEMBER THIS!!!
Wetlands trap and filter nutrients, pollutants, and sediments.
Wetlands reduce flooding.
Wetlands provide habitat for many different species.
Wetlands provide recreation.
Many wetlands have been filled in.

13. Questions??? Question 4: List 3 functions of wetlands.
Question 5: Why were wetlands historically filled in?

14. THE END!!!