BY: Gajan Pathmanathan

DefinitionDefinition 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

MarshMarsh- Frequently or continually flooded with water- Soft stemmed vegetation adapted to wet soil conditions TidalTidal MarshesMarshes:

- 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

MarshMarsh Non-tidal Marshes: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)

SwampSwamp- 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)

SwampSwamp Forested Swamps Shrub Swamps

FenFen- 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

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

BogBog

BURNS BOGBURNS BOG

-cleared for Cranberry farming

- blueberry field on the edge of the bog

ImpactsImpacts 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

ExploitationExploitation Agriculture (ex. cranberry and blueberry fields)

Garbage dumps

Urbanization

Fishery

PreservationPreservation Increase public awareness

Implement laws prohibiting farming and urbanization near wetlands

Secure wetlands

Restore wetlands