1. Coastal Wetlands By: Lizzie Crider

2. Location Transition zones : Both land and open water environments- Wetlands have both land and water characteristics, and they often have a richer flora and fauna than other environments. Found on the coasts of continents, lakes, oceans

3. Temperature Temperature depends on the location of the wetland – Most wetlands are located in temperate zones with warm summers and cold winters – Arabian Peninsula wetlands can reach 122 F: rapid evaporation – Wetlands in Siberia can be as low as -58 F – Wetlands in the Gulf of Mexico can be 51 F

4. Precipitation Depends on the location – Wetlands in Europe receive about 60 in per year – In Southeast Asia, where it rains a lot, wetlands receive about 200 in per year – North American wetlands receive about 7 in per year

5. Salinity Coastal wetlands form near estuaries, the area where a river meets the sea, and are prone to varying levels of salinity and water levels because of tidal action

6. Nutrient Level The capacity for phosphorus adsorption by a wetland can be saturated in a few years if it has low amounts of aluminum and iron or calcium – Wetlands along rivers have a high capacity for phosphorus adsorption because as clay is deposited in the floodplain, aluminum and iron in the clay accumulate as well Wetlands store carbon within peat and soil – When wetlands are preserved or restored, the wetlands act as a sink for carbon since organic matter decomposition is stable or slowed. The process of nitrification and denitrification transforms the majority of nitrogen entering wetlands, causing between 70% and 90% to be removed

7. Common Species Wetlands are important habitats for amphibians because they contain both open water and vegetated areas – Blue Spotted Salamander, Northern Leopard Frog, Map Turtle etc. Aquatic Insects such as the Brown Water Scorpion, mosquitoes, and dragonflies Birds: Green Heron, American Bittern, Marsh Wren Fish: Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Largemouth Bass

8. Vegetation Because oxygen does not move very fast in water, water saturation very quickly results in a soil condition known as anaerobiosis -very low oxygen content. A lack of oxygen kills most plants, and hydrophytic plants (grow only in or on water) are the only kind of vegetation that can survive in these conditions. Most tidal wetlands consist of unvegetated mud and sand flats – Some plants have adapted to this and the low oxygen by having hollow stems that allow them to push oxygen down into the saturated root zone which include grasses and grass-like plants

9. Endangered Species Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander: They live in freshwater marshy lands and coastal woodlands. Only three known species of them are believed to be alive. American Crocodile: They are found in the coastal wetlands of Venezuela, Mexico, Florida, Central America, and the Caribbean islands. It is estimated that only 500 to 1,200 American Crocodiles are alive in the wetlands of Florida. Chinese Egret: They are found in China, North Korea, and South Korea. Habitat loss due to human expansion and development have severely threatened their existence and made them endangered wetland animals. White-winged Wood Duck: This endangered wetland animal is found in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. In 1970, they were added to the endangered species list. West Indian Manatee: Found in the Florida state, they are also known as sea cows. In winter, they are generally found in rivers, mangrove estuaries, and the coastal marshlands. This endangered wetland animal has been listed in both the Federal and State of Florida endangered species list.

10. Human Effects Decreased quality of water due to release of toxic chemicals from faulty septic tanks, overflowing sewers, urban sprawl, and runoff from agricultural lands have added to the poor condition of endangered wetland animals. Increased pollution (to a point where natural absorption can’t keep up) Decrease in available water Introduction of nonnative species has crowed out some natural species

11. Wetlands are Valuable! Natural water filters Nurseries for fish, crab, and other shellfish Wildlife habitat Reduce severity of floods Erosion control

12. Sources http://www.animalport.com/endangered- animals/endangered-wetland-animals.htmlhttp://www.animalport.com/endangered- animals/endangered-wetland-animals.html http://www.texaswetlands.org/introduction.h tmhttp://www.texaswetlands.org/introduction.h tm http://geography.about.com/od/physicalgeo graphy/a/wetlands.htmhttp://geography.about.com/od/physicalgeo graphy/a/wetlands.htm http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/inf o/wetlands/function.htmlhttp://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/inf o/wetlands/function.html