Marshes & Swamps

Louiza (Looza) Wise, Sam (Swaggin) Manno, Andi (Awesome) Kasper

Largest swamps/marshes: Llanos de Moxos in South America and Florida Everglades

Physical CharacteristicsMarshes

○ water levels change constantly ○ shallow enough for plants to grow (depth: few inches - 1 or 2 feet) ○ dominated by aquatic plants (grass, water lilies, duckweed)○ fresh and saltwater○ very diverse habitat (fresh) / nutrient rich soils ○ water temp: fresh - 56 to 76 degrees, salt - 46 to 61 degrees○ recharge: provides water to streams and vice versa - clean polluted waters

Swamps ○ dominated by trees/shrubs ○ fresh, brackish (somewhat salty), seawater○ nutrient rich soils ○ depth: 1 to 2 feet○ water temp: 55 - 73 degrees ○ recharge: same as marshes - act as flood controllers

Importance ● Water quality improvements by filtering out pollutants before they reach the

river● Food and habitat for fish and wildlife● Flood control and shoreline erosion control● Act as a giant sponge by absorbing excess water● Provide breeding grounds, protection, food, comfort, a home

Autotrophs, Heterotrophs and Decomposers● Autotrophs: Duckweed, arrow grass and cattails● Heterotrophs: Beavers, otters, and muskrats● Decomposers: Bacteria, fungi, amphipods

Endangered Animals

● About 43% of the nations endangered and threatened species rely directly or indirectly on wetlands for survival.

General Trends● Most wetlands are located in the temperate zone (halfway between the

poles and the equator)o On average 18°F - 86°Fo 60-200 inches of rainfall yearly

● Animals adaptationso Camouflage o Webbed feet or paddle like legs

● Plant adaptationso Float (for photosynthesis)o Can get oxygen through root (like a snorkel)

Environmental Status ● Decreasing area

○ Protection measures, elimination of some incentives for wetland drainage

● Suffered degradation○ Causes are increase in flood damages, drought damages, and the

declining bird populations

● There are several preservations and efforts to create new wetlands

Problems● Current problems

o Air and water pollutants, runoff contamination, overfishing, tourism, construction of dams, invasive species, and more

● Future problemso Increasing temperature, chemical and sediment contamination,

continuing loss of land, loss of natural animal occupation, and more

Groups Trying to Help ● World Wildlife Foundation: WWF is working to preserve and restore wetlands. They

have helped designate more than 2,000 wetlands world-wide as Wetlands of International Importance which means it is protected from pollution, drainage and development.

● Government Regulations: Swampbuster, part of Food Security Act, prevents farmers who convert or modify wetlands from receiving federal farm program benefits.

● Association of State Wetland Managers: Uses scientific research to help public and private decision-makers map, assess, regulate, and restore wetlands and also provides up-to-date wetland news.

Bilbiography● Environment 6th edition by Peter H. Raven, Linda R. Berg and David M.

Hassenzahl.● Earth Gauge RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Sept. 2014.● "Vermont Wetlands Section - Wetlands Threatened & Endangered Species Habitat."

Vermont Wetlands Section - Wetlands Threatened & Endangered Species Habitat. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Sept. 2014.

● WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 14 Sept. 2014.● "Private Organizations." EPA. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Sept. 2014.● "Swamps." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Sept. 2014.● "Marshes." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Sept. 2014.