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Wetlands

Wetlands. Enviro 2 Go 6.3.3.1. Wetlands. Objectives: Describe characteristics of wetlands Describe various types of freshwater and coastal wetlands Describe functions of wetlands Describe threats and current policies of wetlands Describe various species that inhabit wetlands.

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Wetlands

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  1. Wetlands Enviro 2 Go 6.3.3.1

  2. Wetlands Objectives: • Describe characteristics of wetlands • Describe various types of freshwater and coastal wetlands • Describe functions of wetlands • Describe threats and current policies of wetlands • Describe various species that inhabit wetlands

  3. Characteristics of Wetlands • Land areas that are under water for all or part of the growing season • Can be freshwater or saltwater • They have plants that are adapted to grow in this environment.

  4. Examples of Freshwater Wetlands • Swamps – has many trees • Marshes – soft-stemmed plants (grasses) • Bogs – spongy peat, acidic waters, and a thick carpet of sphagnum moss. • Many more

  5. Examples of Coastal Wetlands • Estuaries: • an area in which freshwater from a river mixes with saltwater from the ocean (Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States) • Salt Marshes: • ocean shorelines with many grasses • Mangrove Swamps: • tropical shorelines dominated by mangrove trees • Rocky and sandy shores

  6. REMEMBER THIS!!! • Wetlands only have to be wet for PART of the growing season • There are many different types of wetlands such as swamps and marshes

  7. Questions??? Question 1: What is a wetland? Question 2: List and describe two common types of wetlands. Question 3: What type of wetland is the Chesapeake Bay?

  8. Functions of Wetlands • Traps and filters sediments, nutrients, and pollutants before they enter larger bodies of water • Reduces flooding by absorbing extra water • works like a sponge • Buffers shorelines to reduce erosion • Provides habitat for plants and animals • Provides recreational areas • fishing, bird watching, canoeing, photography, etc.

  9. Threats to Wetlands • Historically, humans used to drain wetlands for development of houses, farms, and commercial development • Wetlands were believed to be useless and were breeding grounds for insects • They are now protected and restored in many areas

  10. Plants of the Wetlands • Cattails • Rushes/sedges/grasses • Water lilies • Duckweed • Trees • mangroves • bald cypress • cedar • Some maples • Some oaks • Many more

  11. Animals of the Wetlands • Horseshoe crabs • lay their eggs on the shore • Birds • egrets, herons, osprey, and many more • Oysters, barnacles, clams • anchor to grasses or rocks • Beavers • Alligators • Many, many more • area rich in nutrients • migratory stopping grounds

  12. REMEMBER THIS!!! • Wetlands trap and filter nutrients, pollutants, and sediments. • Wetlands reduce flooding. • Wetlands provide habitat for many different species. • Wetlands provide recreation. • Many wetlands have been filled in.

  13. Questions??? Question 4: List 3 functions of wetlands. Question 5: Why were wetlands historically filled in?

  14. Test YourselfTrue or False _____ 1. Wetlands are only breeding grounds for insects. _____ 2. Wetlands help filter sediments, nutrients, and pollutants. _____ 3. Wetlands have very few uses. _____ 4. Wetlands provide many species with habitat. _____ 5. Ospreys, egrets, herons, beavers, and alligators are commonly found in wetlands.

  15. ___ 1. swamp ___ 2. recreation ___ 3. cattails ___ 4. sediments and nutrients ___ 5. estuary filtered out by wetlands fishing, bird watching, canoeing, photography, etc. common wetland plant area where saltwater and freshwater mix wetland that is dominated by trees Test YourselfMatching

  16. Test YourselfFill in the Blank estuary habitat marsh wetland flooding • An _________________ is an area in which freshwater from a river mixes with saltwater from the ocean. • A _______________ is a wetland that is dominated by grasses. • Ospreys, egrets, beavers, cattails, sedges, and rushes all use wetlands for _________________. • A __________________ is an area of land that is underwater for all or part of the growing season. • Wetlands absorb excess water that help to reduce _____________________.

  17. Test YourselfAnswer the Following • What are the benefits of wetlands? • List and describe 3 types of wetlands. • Why have so many wetlands been filled in?

  18. THE END!!!

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