Wetlands

A wetland is a habitat where plants (and associated animals) that thrive under periodic or continuous flooding reside

Wetlands may not be “wet” all year long Low areas that tend to collect and hold waterLowlands of rivers, along flood plains

Wetlands often serve as a transition zone between land and water Lowland hardwood forests along rivers or lakes Coastal wetlands Swamps or bogs from glacial or snow melt

Types of Wetlands

• Nontidal (inland) marches – dominated by herbaceous plants. Usually in poorly drained depressions, floodplains and shallow water areas along rivers or lakes. Examples are Great Lakes coastal marches, prarie pothole region and the Everglades.

Types of Wetlands (con’t)

• Freshwater marshes - Have periodic or permanent shallow water with little to no peat deposits. Most water is from surface runoff.

• Wet meadows – occur in poorly drained areas (low areas). Water primarily rainfall

Types of Wetlands (con’t)

• Wet Prairies – Similar to wet meadows but remain saturated longer. Water source may be intermittent streams, some ground water and rainfall

• Prairie potholes – formed from glacial pockmarks. Tend to fill with snowmelt and rainfall

Types of Wetlands (con’t)

• Playas – are small basins that collect rainfall and runoff from surrounding land (watershed). Found in Southern High Plains of U.S.

• Vernal Pools – have bedrock or clay layer that keeps water in pool. May be wet through winter then dry in summer months

Types of Wetlands (con’t)

• Swamps – are primarily feed by surface water inputs. Dominated by trees and shrubs. Can be either fresh or salt water floodplains. Characterized by standing water for parts of the year and saturated soils during the growing season.

Species include bald cypress, water tupelo, swamp white oak, and red maple.

Types of Wetlands (con’t)

• Mangrove swamps – are costal wetland characterized by salt-tolerant trees, shrubs and other growing plants in brackish to saline water. Most mangrove swamps are major estuaries and hatcheries for a variety of fish species.

• Bogs – are freshwater wetlands with peat deposits from a thick layer of sphagnum moss. Growing plants tend to be evergreen trees and shrubs. Water source usually only rainwater.

• Fens – groundwater fed peat forming wetlands covered by grasses, sedges and reeds. Willows and birch common.

Importance of Wetlands

• Water Quality - Natural cleansing of water that enters them. Water that enters a wetland is slowed and retained for some extended time. This allows sediment to settle and even help reduce erosion by slowing water movement off land. Additionally, nutrients and contaminants my be absorbed and removed by wetland vegetation. Toxic pollutants can be removed by some plants and bacteria associated with wetlands.

Importance of Wetlands

• Hydrologic value – besides slowing runoff the wetlands hold water that can percolate into lower strata of the earth and thereby help recharge aquifers.

• Habitat - Provide a habitat for diverse range of plant and animal species. Additionally, some wetlands provide nesting, water and food supplies for a variety of animal. Coastal wetlands are significant fish hatcheries and nursery grounds. Due to their nature, wetlands tend to be highly productive in terms of providing food, shelter and rich ecosystem that supports a wide diversity of unique plants and animals.

Importance of Wetlands

• Direct value – due to the rich habitat, wetlands are attractive to many species of fish, amphibians, birds and mammals (deer, fox, bear, etc). Both hunters and naturalists enjoy wetlands for the diversity that is available. Additionally, other industry such as logging makes use of the productivity of wetlands.

Wetlands are indeed the vital link between water and land. "Wetlands" is the collective term for marshes, swamps, bogs, and similar areas

found in generally flat vegetated areas, in depressions in the landscape, and between dry

land and water along the edges of streams, rivers, lakes, and coastlines. Wetlands can be

found in nearly every county and climatic zone in the United States. Most likely, a wetland

exists in your neighborhood or very close to it.

America's Wetlands

A Valuable Resource

As people understand ecological processes better, attitudes towards wetlands change.

We now know that wetlands are, in fact, valuable natural resources. Whether drier or wetter, bigger or smaller, wetlands provide important benefits to people and the environment.

Wetlands help regulate water levels within watersheds; improve water quality; reduce flood and storm damages; provide important fish and wildlife habitat; and support hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities.

Wetlands are natural wonderlands of great value.

Wetlands Distribution in U.S.

Learning from Wetlands

• Scientists have observed the ability of wetlands to clean up rainwater and to act as a buffer to heavy rains. Using this knowledge there now “constructed” wetlands whose purpose is to reduce water runoff and erosion or to act as municipal water treatment facilities for sewage or other waste treatment.