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Wetlands

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11.9 WetlandsAreas that are:Wet part of the timeAnaerobic soilsPlants adapted to periodic flooding

Types of WetlandsSwampsBogs MarshesSloughsMudflatsFlood plainsTundra

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Wetland DefinedA wetland is any area that is inundated (flooded) or saturated for a certain number of days in a row that add up to 7.5% of the growing season in an area. Contains:WaterHydrophyllic (water loving) plantsHydric (saturated) soils with low oxygen content

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Importance of WetlandsWildlife HabitatFlood controlSediment filters and erosion controlWater qualityWater supplyRecreation

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Types of WetlandsMarshesTidalSalt Water MarshNon-tidalVernal Pools Fresh Water MarshSwamps ForestedBogsPocosinFen

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Tidal Salt Water MarshCoastal wetlandInundated with salt water as tides changeSalt tolerant plantsCordgrassSwitchgrassGlasswort/saltwort

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Vernal Poolseasonal (yearly) marshes that occur in depressions of landcovered with ice and water from winter to spring dry during the summer and fall. all. bottom of the pools are made of bedrock or hard clay which keeps the water from leaking out. Creatures may include the spring peeper, eastern spotted newt, green frog, spotted salamanders

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Fresh water marshA shallow wetland with few trees and standing water for most of the yearNot TidalFlocks of wading birds, fish, exotic plants, alligators, and numerous invertabrates

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Forested SwampDominated by trees with few shrubs water inflow through streams, rivers, and run-off. Trees have shallow root systems to gain exposure to oxygen. Common trees include red maple, bald cypress, sweet gum and American elm. Wood ducks, gray treefrog, wood frogs, barred owls and pileated woodpeckers live in the forested swamp

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PocosinExtremely flat with poor natural drainageThick layers of peat decomposed organic materialShrub vegetation is common, pond pines, loblolly and longleaf pines are also present. Fire adapted

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Southern Appalachian BogFed primarily by rainwaterAcidicVegetation varies from mosses and grasses to trees depending on elevation

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Southern FenFed by surface and/or groundwaterWater is alkaline (basic)Usually inhabited by mosses and grassesCan be a stage in succession from lake to woodland

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Wetland DestructionHuman Actions have reduced wetlands to less than half of their land areaDraining for agricultureDraining for housing/urban developmentDraining for mosquito preventionPollution due to dumping and runoff

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Wetland ProtectionClean Water ActProtects wetlands by preventing dredge and fill operations in nations waters including wetlandsProtected under water quality clauses of clean Water ActNational pollutant discharge eliminationExecutive Order 11990No Net Loss protects wetlands by requiring restoration or mitigation of wetlands lost by development.

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