The document discusses wetlands, including their characteristics, types, importance, and threats. Wetlands are distinct ecosystems that are flooded by water and support many plant and animal species. They provide important functions like improving water quality and flood protection. However, human activities like development, drainage and pollution threaten wetlands. It is important to conserve wetlands to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services that benefit both wildlife and humans.

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The
characteristic
vegetation of
aquatic plants,
adapted to the
unique hydric
soil
oxygen-free
processes
prevail
A wetland is a
distinct
ecosystem that
is flooded by
water, either
permanently or
seasonally

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Abiotic
Factors
Biotic
Factors
Water Mangroves
Soil Algae
Light Birds
Temperature Turtles
Air Fish

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Roles
Not only do wetland ecosystems support a
host of animal and plant life - but they are
critically important for the survival humans
too, from the mitigation of Climate Change to
the protection of human settlements from
floods. If we protect wetlands, we also
protect our planet and ourselves.

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Why are wetlands important?
Wetlands are a critical part of our natural
environment. They protect our shores from
wave action, reduce the impacts of floods,
absorb pollutants and improve water quality.
They provide habitat for animals and plants
and many contain a wide diversity of life,
supporting plants and animals that are found
nowhere else.

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Why are wetlands bad?
Wetlands are superb at purifying polluted
water, replenishing aquifers and harbouring
wildlife. But they are almost always terrible
places to build houses. ... Wetlands act like
natural sponges on the landscape, absorbing
and then gradually releasing storm waters
and lessening flood damage

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Human impact
Other human activities which can have lasting
effects on wetland ecosystems include stream
channelization, dam construction, discharge of
industrial wastes and municipal sewage (point
source pollution) and runoff urban and agricultural
areas (non-point source pollution).

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Wet-land
Ecosystem
Fresh Water
Swamp
Marsh
Bogs
Salt water
Salt Marshes
Mangrove
Swamps
Classification

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Swamp: Fresh water
slow-moving
streams/rivers
wet during growing
season, dry during
summer
inches to feet of water
huge trees & shrubs

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-perennial grasses, NO
trees
-wet areas
-muskrats important
-migratory birds need
Marsh: Fresh water

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-Lots of peat (+40 ft)
-colder regions as little
water flows in or out
-too much rain or snow
Bogs: Fresh water

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-Atlantic &Gulf coasts
-open areas filled with
seas of grasses
-calm spots away from
wind (bays, inlets)
-LOTS of wildlife
Salt Marshes: Saltwater

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-tropical fresh &
saltwater
-Florida
-migrating stop for birds
-oysters, mangrove
crabs, fish, herons,
egrets,
Storks
Mangrove Swamps: Saltwater

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Wetlands and Wildlife:
•Migration: between winter & summer homes, birds
“refuel”
(egrets, herons, geese, sandpipers, plovers)
•Natural Nurseries: hatch & hide
•Habitat & breeding grounds: animals live here and
breed esp.
(water-owl, moose, frogs, raccoon, turtles, opossum, snakes,
insects, fish)
•Rare species: 1/2 endangered species live here;
(wood stork, nail kites, whooping cranes, American crocodile)

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Plant Life
Emergents Floating plants Submergents
plants that
grow out of
the water
They float on the
surface, roots
floating as well
They grow
under the
water

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Benefits of Aquatic Plants
Primary Production
a. Wildlife Food
b. Oxygen Production
Shelter
a. Protection from predation for small fish
Fish Spawning
a. Several fish attach eggs to aquatic macro-phytes
b. Some fish build nests in plant beds
Water Treatment
a. Wetland plants are very effective at removing nitrogen and
phosphorous from
polluted waters

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Animal life
• Amphibians: Grey tree frog, green tree frog, southern leopard frog, gulf
coast toad, marbled salamander, small mouthed salamander, etc.
•Birds: Green-winged teal, gadwall shoveler, blue-winged teal, pintail,
wigeon, scaup, mallard, etc.
•Wading birds: common egret, snowy egret, roseate spoonbill, wood
stork, white ibis, great blue heron, green heron, anhinga, etc.
•Nesting birds: Barnswallow, tree swallow, kingfisher, bachman’s warbler,
orchard oriole, yellow breasted cuckoo, purple gallinule, black skimmer,
etc.
•Raptors: Osprey, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, etc.
•Mammals: Nutria, muskrat, marsh rabbit, mink, etc.

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Organism examples:
• Primary Producers:
cattail, wild rice, smooth cord grass, sweet flag, blue iris, switch grass
• Primary Consumers:
meadow voles, mice, rabbits, aquatic macro invertebrates, deer, fish,
waterfowl
• Secondary Consumers:
birds of prey, snakes, foxes, fish, humans
• :Tertiary Consumers
turkey vultures, ravens, crabs, humans
• Decomposers:
fungi, bacteria

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Pyramid

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How are humans destroying
wetlands?
Human activity is probably the most prevalent
cause of wetland destruction or degradation.
Development -- whether it's drainage,
damming to form lakes or ponds, adding
pavement, or diverting water flow -- affects the
soil's hydrologic condition, or the presence of
water in the soil

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Why is it important to conserve
wetlands?
Not only do wetland ecosystems support a
host of animal and plant life - but they are
critically important for the survival humans
too, from the mitigation of Climate Change to
the protection of human settlements from
floods. If we protect wetlands, we also protect
our planet and ourselves.

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What is being done to preserve
wetlands?
Public education, improved stewardship,
responsible land management and an
effective wetland policy are required to
ensure protection and conservation of the
province's remaining wetlands. Learn more
about the legislation, the policy and the tools
that are in place to help protect Alberta's
wetlands

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Bibliography
Web:
• Wikipedia
• Quora
Books:
• Fundamentals of Environmental Studies
for Undergraduate

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for
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