wetlands powerpoint

1. WETLANDSWETLANDS

2. What Are Wetlands?What Are Wetlands?
 Areas where water covers the soil, or isAreas where water covers the soil, or is
present either at or near the surface of thepresent either at or near the surface of the
soil all year or for parts of the yearsoil all year or for parts of the year
 Link between land and water – transitionLink between land and water – transition
zoneszones
 Presence of water promotes growth ofPresence of water promotes growth of
specially adapted plantsspecially adapted plants

3. Types of WetlandsTypes of Wetlands
 Tidal (coastal) wetlandsTidal (coastal) wetlands

Found along coastsFound along coasts

Linked to estuariesLinked to estuaries

Usually salt or brackish waterUsually salt or brackish water

Subject to tidesSubject to tides
 Non-tidal (inland) wetlandsNon-tidal (inland) wetlands

Found inlandFound inland

Along rivers, in depressions, edges of lakes andAlong rivers, in depressions, edges of lakes and
ponds, other low-lying areasponds, other low-lying areas

FreshwaterFreshwater

4. Tidal (Coastal) WetlandsTidal (Coastal) Wetlands
Salt marshSalt marsh

5. Tidal (Coastal) WetlandsTidal (Coastal) Wetlands
Tidal flats (sand and mud flats)Tidal flats (sand and mud flats)

6. Tidal (Coastal) WetlandsTidal (Coastal) Wetlands
Mangrove swampsMangrove swamps

7. Tidal (Coastal) WetlandsTidal (Coastal) Wetlands
Tidal freshwater marshesTidal freshwater marshes

8. Tidal (Coastal) WetlandsTidal (Coastal) Wetlands
Tidal wetlands inTidal wetlands in
New YorkNew York

9. Non-tidal (Inland) WetlandsNon-tidal (Inland) Wetlands
Riparian wetlandsRiparian wetlands
Floodplains along rivers and streamsFloodplains along rivers and streams

10. Non-tidal (Inland) WetlandsNon-tidal (Inland) Wetlands
Playas, basins and potholesPlayas, basins and potholes
Isolated depressions surrounded by dry landIsolated depressions surrounded by dry land

11. Non-tidal (Inland) WetlandsNon-tidal (Inland) Wetlands
Margins of lakes and pondsMargins of lakes and ponds

12. Non-tidal (Inland) WetlandsNon-tidal (Inland) Wetlands
Vernal pools, bogs and fensVernal pools, bogs and fens
Low lying areas below the water tableLow lying areas below the water table

13. Non-tidal (Inland) WetlandsNon-tidal (Inland) Wetlands
Marshes, wet meadows and wet prairiesMarshes, wet meadows and wet prairies

14. Non-tidal (Inland) WetlandsNon-tidal (Inland) Wetlands
SwampsSwamps

15. Importance of WetlandsImportance of Wetlands
 Extremely highly productiveExtremely highly productive
 Great ecological importanceGreat ecological importance

Important breeding and feeding sitesImportant breeding and feeding sites

Fish and wildlife habitatFish and wildlife habitat
 Improve water quality - filter pollutants andImprove water quality - filter pollutants and
nutrientsnutrients
 Recharge aquifersRecharge aquifers

16. Importance of WetlandsImportance of Wetlands
 Flood protectionFlood protection
 Erosion controlErosion control
 Maintain surface water flow during dryMaintain surface water flow during dry
periodsperiods
 RecreationRecreation

17. Human Impacts to WetlandsHuman Impacts to Wetlands
 U.S. lost half of wetlands since 1600sU.S. lost half of wetlands since 1600s
 Still lose >50,000 acres per yearStill lose >50,000 acres per year
 Rate of loss has slowedRate of loss has slowed

18. Human Impacts to WetlandsHuman Impacts to Wetlands

19. Human Impacts to WetlandsHuman Impacts to Wetlands
 Drained or filled – for development,Drained or filled – for development,
agriculture, mosquito ditchesagriculture, mosquito ditches
 Dredging for navigation, development, floodDredging for navigation, development, flood
controlcontrol

20. Human Impacts to WetlandsHuman Impacts to Wetlands
 Dams, diversions, canals, levees, dikes,Dams, diversions, canals, levees, dikes,
hardened shorelineshardened shorelines
 Excess pollutants – toxic contaminants,Excess pollutants – toxic contaminants,
nutrientsnutrients
 Climate change – sea level riseClimate change – sea level rise