Wetlands Flashcards
Why do people not like wetlands?
They seem them as wastelands that accumulate garbage, are a source of mosquitos (which means diseases like malaria), and are dangerous to people (they can get stuck in them!)
What are some benefits to wetlands?
Flood control, removes toxins, carbon storage, recreational purposes and wildlife habitat
What are the two types of non forested wetlands?
Emergent marsh: Deep depression that collects water from stream, accumulation of sediments and vegetation (cattails) emerge from mud
Fen: Water just at or below surface, lots of nutrients for flora but trees have hard time growing from saturation. More productive than bog ‘botanist dream’
What are the five forested wetlands?
Bog: Water doesn’t leave, low nutrients & productivity, slow decomposition makes peat.
Vernal Pool
Swale (shrub wasteland): Wet soil and a lot of organic material, homes lots of shrubs and birds like water thrush
Swamp: Develops in still or slowly moving water in headwaters or depressions. Cold, low nutrients, slow decomposition
Seasonally flooded wetlandsL: Lots of ferns, spring floods saturate roots for a few weeks-months, so adapted species like silver maple swamp live here. Cavity nesting birds will also live here like the wood duck or golden eye
