Wetlands Andrea Berry Shiawassee Conservation District.

WetlandsWetlands

Andrea BerryAndrea BerryShiawassee Conservation Shiawassee Conservation DistrictDistrict

WetlandsWetlands

An area with saturated soils for at An area with saturated soils for at least part of the yearleast part of the year Hydric soils:Hydric soils: lack free oxygen lack free oxygen

Support an abundance of wildlife Support an abundance of wildlife Birds, fish, mammals, plants, etc.Birds, fish, mammals, plants, etc. Breeding grounds for many animalsBreeding grounds for many animals

Store and slowly release filtered Store and slowly release filtered waterwater

Formation of WetlandsFormation of Wetlands

Runoff from rain travels over land Runoff from rain travels over land until it collects in a low spot (pond, until it collects in a low spot (pond, river, lake)river, lake)

The surrounding saturated land The surrounding saturated land forms a wetlandforms a wetland

Also formed and fed by Also formed and fed by groundwatergroundwater

Function of WetlandsFunction of Wetlands

Hold and store waterHold and store water Slowly release stored water Slowly release stored water Filter water removing pollutantsFilter water removing pollutants Standing water attracts organisms Standing water attracts organisms

& contributes to the & contributes to the Food ChainFood Chain Insects for birds and mammals to eatInsects for birds and mammals to eat Aquatic organisms for fish to eatAquatic organisms for fish to eat Fish for larger organisms to eatFish for larger organisms to eat

Types of Types of WetlandsWetlands

BogsBogs

Boreal – cold environments Boreal – cold environments Acidic peat – deposits of dead Acidic peat – deposits of dead

plant materialplant material Low in nutrients – plants have Low in nutrients – plants have

adaptedadapted Peat – used to heat homes & in Peat – used to heat homes & in

gardens to retain moisture in soil gardens to retain moisture in soil

MangroveMangrove

Tropical coastal zonesTropical coastal zones Soils are saline & water-logged Soils are saline & water-logged Mangrove plants stabilize soilsMangrove plants stabilize soils Act as a natural buffer to winds Act as a natural buffer to winds

and wavesand waves Plants have adapted to saline Plants have adapted to saline

waterwater

MarshesMarshes

Dominated by herbaceous plants Dominated by herbaceous plants and shallow waterand shallow water

Contains fresh, brackish, or saline Contains fresh, brackish, or saline waterwater

Serves as breeding grounds for Serves as breeding grounds for many animalsmany animals

Constructed wetlands usually in the Constructed wetlands usually in the form of a marshform of a marsh

SwampsSwamps

A seasonally flooded bottomlandA seasonally flooded bottomland

Contains large amounts of woody vegetationContains large amounts of woody vegetation TreesTrees

Slow moving waters rich in tannins from Slow moving waters rich in tannins from

decaying organic materialdecaying organic material

Usually adjacent to rivers or lakesUsually adjacent to rivers or lakes

Organisms are specialized to live in standing Organisms are specialized to live in standing

waterwater

Thank You!Thank You!

Questions?Questions?