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What is a Wetland?

What is a Wetland?. Louisiana Coastal Roots High. Read and Discuss.

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What is a Wetland?

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  1. What is a Wetland? Louisiana Coastal Roots High

  2. Read and Discuss • "The swamps and marshes of coastal Louisiana are among the Nation's most fragile and valuable wetlands, vital not only to recreational and agricultural interests but also the State's more than $1 billion per year seafood industry. The staggering annual losses of wetlands in Louisiana are caused by human activity as well as natural processes. U.S. Geological Survey scientists are conducting important studies that are helping planners to understand the life cycle of wetlands by detailing the geologic processes that shape them and the coast, and by providing geologic input to models for mitigation strategies." • S. Jeffress Williams, U.S. Geological Survey • U.S. Geological SurveyMarine and Coastal Geology Program • From: http://marine.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/LAwetlands/lawetlands.html

  3. Wetland Characteristics There are three major characteristics of wetlands: water, plants, and soil. Types of Wetlands include: Bog - wetland ecosystem that is highly acidic and has an accumulation of dead plants known as peatSwamp - wetland characterized by trees and shrubsSalt Marsh - community of plants living in salty soil that is flooded and exposed by alternating tides-found along the shores of bays and riversFreshwater Marsh - community of plants living in fresh water found along the shores of ponds, lakes, streams, and some rivers

  4. Wetland Characteristics • Examples of Wetlands – continued Prairie Pothole - wetland found in the grasslands of central North AmericaMangrove Forest - fresh or salt water wetland found in tropical areas such as Africa, Mexico, coastal Australia, and the Southern United StatesSandy Beach - sandy soil containing vegetation such as beach grasses, often found along the ocean and on bays and some riversVernal Pools - bodies of water that often exist only during the spring and dry up for the rest of the year (source: wetlands.org)

  5. Wetland Characteristics • Water • Wetlands may LOOK dry or wet, but the land/area must be saturated or flooded only 7.5% of the growing season to satisfy the “water” characteristic of a wetland.

  6. Wetland Characteristics • Soil • Hydric soil – wet during growing season making soil anoxic (no oxygen) • Organic Soil • Mineral Soil • Soil Horizons • ____________ Layer • ____________Layer • ____________Layer

  7. Wetland Characteristics • Plants • Wetland plants are hydrocytes. They grow in water or in soil that is anoxic. • Unique reproduction • Fresh water plants • Salt water plants How do you think plants and trees remain upright in saturated or flooded soil?

  8. Animals of the Wetlands • Wetland habitat for many animals (bugs, fish, mammals, reptiles) • Food Web • Extinct and endangered species

  9. Functions of the Wetlands • Filters • Limit flooding • Prevent erosion • Source of food and recreation • Animal and plant habitat • Economic Development

  10. Louisiana Wetlands • Red River • Avery Island • Cocadrie • Golden Meadow • Northshore http://www.wetmaap.org

  11. Wetland grasses

  12. Barrier Formations

  13. Cypress Trees

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