1. BY: Gajan Pathmanathan

2. Definition
Area of land that is seasonally or permanently covered by shallow water
Water table is close to or on surface
Link between land and water
Soil, plants, animals, climate, and human disturbance determine the type of wetland

3. Marsh Frequently or continually flooded with water
Soft stemmed vegetation adapted to wet soil conditions
Tidal Marshes:
- found along coastlines
- influenced by tides and from freshwater runoff, rivers or groundwater
- covered with tall cordgrass
- act as buffers to slow down shoreline erosion

4. Marsh Non-tidal Marshes: - found inland
- occur in poorly drained depressions and along shallow water (along streams, edges of lakes and rivers)
- mineral rich soils of sand; clay covers the bottom of these wetlands
- highly organic (ex. Lily pads, cattails, reeds and bulrushes)
- small mammals (ex. Red-winged blackbirds, great blue herons, otters, and muskrats)

5. Swamp Dominated by trees and shrubs
Very wet soils during growing season and standing water during certain times of year
Divided into 2 types of swamps depending on the type of vegetation:
Forested Swamps
- flooded by near by rivers and streams
- highly organic soil (thick black)alluvial
- covered with trees (ex. cedar, cypress, and pin oak)
Shrub Swamps
- shrubby vegetation
- covered with shrubs (ex. Button bush, dogwood, and swamp rose)

6. Swamp
Forested Swamps
Shrub Swamps

7. Fen Peat-forming wetlands that receive nutrients from groundwater
Covered with grasses, rushes, and wild flowers
Occur in glaciated areas
Short growing seasons and low temperatures

8. Bog Area largely made of decomposing plant material (peat)
Floor covered with sphagnum moss
Rainfall is the major source of water (acidic water)
Found in glaciated areas
Form when moss grows over
lake or when sphagnum holds
water and creates acidic conditions

9. BURNS BOG -cleared for Cranberry farming
- blueberry field on the edge of the bog

10. Impacts
Atmosphere: - Bogs help reduce carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Lithosphere: - Wetlands help control shoreline erosion
Hydrosphere: - Filters surface- water runoff improving water quality
- Reduces pollutants in water
- Restores groundwater
- Flood control
Biosphere: - Wetlands support diverse vegetation that have adapted to wet conditions

11. Exploitation Agriculture (ex. cranberry and blueberry fields)
Garbage dumps
Urbanization
Fishery

12. Preservation Increase public awareness
Implement laws prohibiting farming and urbanization near wetlands
Secure wetlands
Restore wetlands