forested wetlands scrub-shrub wetlands emergent …...swamps marshes bogs fens vernal pools common...

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Objectives: 1) List the 7 types of wetlands found in Pennsylvania.

Provide one characteristic for each. 2) Define Hydric Soils and

Hydrophytic Plants 3) explain what is mean by a hydroperiod.

Wetlands: Many Names, One DefinitionWetlands: Many Names, One Definition

Swamp

Marsh

Bog

Fen

Forested wetland

Scrub-shrub wetland

Emergent wetland

Vernal pool

Pothole

Slough

Bayou

Quagmire

Muskeg

Pocosin

Slough

Mire

Glade

Flat



Swamps

Marshes

Bogs

Fens

Vernal pools

Common Wetlands in PennsylvaniaCommon Wetlands in Pennsylvania

Forested wetlands

Scrub-shrub wetlands

Emergent wetlands


•Near waterways

•Shallow water – may dry up in summer

SwampsSwamps

Credit: http://dnr.state.il.us/wetlands/swamp.htm

•Woody plants


•Along coasts and

waterways

•Large marshes up to 7

feet deep; small marshes

may dry up in summer.

MarshesMarshes

Credit: http://dnr.state.il.us/wetlands/marsh.htm

•Soft-stemmed vegetation

•Geneva Marsh = largest

freshwater marsh in the

state


•In deep depressions that don’t drain

•Peat, sphagnum moss

•Acidic, often very deep, water

BogsBogs

Credit: http://dnr.state.il.us/wetlands/bog.htm

•Evergreen trees & shrubs

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•In depressions that drain somewhat

•Peat

•Basic, shallow water that could dry up in summer

FensFens

Credit: http://dnr.state.il.us/wetlands/fen.htm

•Sedges (have 3 edges), grasses, small shrubs

Credit: http://forages.orst.edu/projects/regrowth/print-s

ection.cfm?title=Grass%20Structures

Credit : Wow! The Wonders of Wetlands

Wetlands: Many Names, One DefinitionWetlands: Many Names, One DefinitionVernal PoolsVernal Pools

•“Temporary

wetlands”-no fish

•Vary in size

•Fill in spring and

early summer after

snow melts and

early rains

•Important

amphibian and

macroinvertebrate

breeding grounds


•45% of PA wetlands

Forested WetlandsForested Wetlands

Credit: http://dnr.state.il.us/wetlands/ch13b.htm

•Large woody trees



Scrub-Shrub WetlandsScrub-Shrub Wetlands

Credit: http://dnr.state.il.us/wetlands/scrub-shrub.htm

•Small trees and shrubs


•Emergent plants

•Grasses, sedges, rushes (round), and soft

stemmed herbaceous plants

Emergent WetlandsEmergent Wetlands

Credit:http://www.applieder.com/DCP_1358.JPG

GrassGrassGrassGrass SedgeSedgeSedgeSedge RushRushRushRush


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Three Defining CharacteristicsThree Defining Characteristics

1) Hydrology (WATER)

2)Hydric soils (SOIL)

3)Hydrophytic vegetation (PLANTS)

All three are interrelated.

Three Defining CharacteristicsThree Defining Characteristics

(The science of water, its properties, distribution and circulation, both on the surface and underground.)

(Saturated, oxygen-deficient soils.)

(Plants adapted to standing water and saturated

soil conditions.)

HYDROLOGY HYDROLOGY HYDROLOGY HYDROLOGY HYDROLOGY HYDROLOGY HYDROLOGY HYDROLOGY HYDROLOGY HYDROLOGY HYDROLOGY HYDROLOGY

Credit: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/n_resource/wetlands/wetlands4_hydrology.htm

Wetlands,

including those

found in the

transition areas

between lakes,

streams or

oceans and the

upland, gain

and lose water

through a

number of

processes.

Water Inputs and OutputsWater Inputs and Outputs

INPUTSINPUTSINPUTSINPUTS:

OUTPUTSOUTPUTSOUTPUTSOUTPUTS:

Water Inputs and OutputsWater Inputs and Outputs

Inputs = Outputs + StorageInputs = Outputs + StorageWater that does not

leave wetlands is stored.

Water enters wetlands

through precipitation,

groundwater discharge,

and surface flow (runoff,

streams and tides).

Water leaves wetlands

through evapotranspiration,

groundwater recharge, and

surface flow.

HydroperiodHydroperiod

• Wetlands are “wet” for varying periods of time,

depending on the

volume of water inputs,

outputs, and storage.

• This cyclical and

seasonal pattern of

water in a wetland is

referred to as the

HYDROPERIOD.Credit: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/n_resource/wetlands/wetlands4_hydrology.htm

Hydrology Factors Hydrology Factors

Hydrology is influenced by:

• Landscape

•Geology

•Soil texture and drainage

•Plant cover

•Season / climate

Hydrology FactorsHydrology Factors Landscape Effects on HydrologyLandscape Effects on Hydrology

Wetlands exist…

Credit: http://www.sawmillcreek.com/marina_yacht_club.html

Credit: http://www.vso.cape.com/~nhv/_images/ecoast3.jpg

…on the fringes of lakes and oceans,

Landscape Effects on HydrologyLandscape Effects on Hydrology

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…in depressions at or below the water table,


Credit: US Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Training Workshop Credit: US Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Training Workshop


…in floodplains,

Credit: http://courses.smsu.edu/ejm893f/creative/WeathStrem/floodplain.jpg



…on slopes fed by groundwater,

Landscape Effects on HydrologyLandscape Effects on Hydrology Delineating WetlandsDelineating Wetlands

In order for an area to be designated as a

wetland, there has to be excess water

long enough for hydric soils to develop

and to be able to support predominately

hydrophytic (water loving) vegetation.

Delineating WetlandsDelineating Wetlands

forested wetlands scrub-shrub wetlands emergent …...swamps marshes bogs fens vernal pools common...

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